UAW Local 14
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MEET THE MENTOR LEADERSHIP
Mentors
These are your local leaders here at local 14. The mentors are the people who lead us in our work lives each and every day. They do so to make things better for us all. In the mentorship your more experienced or more knowledgeable person helps to guide a less experienced or less knowledgeable person. We do this to make our Union stronger and strengthen our solidarity for all.
INFORMATION CORNER
UAW President - Dennis Williams
Dennis Williams was elected UAW president in June 2014 at the union’s 36th Constitutional Convention. Williams previously served as the union’s secretary-treasurer, elected at the UAW’s 35th Constitutional Convention in June 2010.
As secretary-treasurer, Williams was part of developing a long-term strategy for the union, supporting the membership and organizing the foreign-owned automakers in the United States. Williams was instrumental in turning around the relationship with Navistar Inc., bringing major investments into UAW facilities as well as organizing the Tulsa Bus plant.His union experience has carried him through the many diverse sectors of the UAW, giving him broad
knowledge and understanding that few ever have a chance to accomplish. Williams, a United States Marine Corp veteran, joined UAW Local 806 in 1977 at J.I. Case where he was a salvage welder. He was elected to the bargaining committee and as chairman.
In 1988, Williams was appointed as an International representative and assigned to the National Organizing Department. Besides organizing, his assignments included negotiating the first contract at
Mitsubishi Motors North America in Bloomington, Ill. He also assisted in organizing Indiana state employees. He spent 2 1/2 years assisting members of Local 844 in Vermont, Ill., obtain a first contract. This worker justice campaign involved legal action and extensive mobilization of union members and community allies.
In 1992, Region 4 Director Bill Stewart assigned Williams to service locals in various sectors throughout the region, including Agricultural Implements, Independent Parts and Supplier (IPS), and Technical, Office and Professional (TOP). He also assisted in the negotiation and servicing of several national agreements, including J.I.Case. In June 1995, Williams was appointed as the assistant director of Region 4 by Regional Director Paul Korman, where he served until his election as director.
In 2001, he was elected UAW Region 4 Director at a special convention. He was re-elected in June 2002 and in June 2006 at the UAW Constitutional Convention in Las Vegas. Region 4 includes Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
UAW SECRETARY - TREASURER
GARY CASTEEL
Gary Casteel was elected UAW Secretary-Treasurer at the 36th Constitutional Convention in June 2014.
Casteel, a UAW member since 1988, was first elected director of UAW Region 8 in June 2002, at the 33rd UAW Constitutional Convention in Las Vegas. He was re-elected in 2006 and again in 2010.
Region 8 covers Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Delaware and four counties of Pennsylvania.Casteel was a member of Steamfitters-Pipefitters, Local 760, in Muscle Shoals, Ala., for eight years prior to joining UAW local 737
when he was hired as a pipefitter-welder at Ford Glass in Nashville.
In the early to mid-1990s he served on the Local 737 bargaining and on the negotiating teams for the Modern Operating Agreement. In 1996, he also served as lead negotiator between the local union and Ford Motor Co. Casteel was twice elected vice president of UAW-Ford Subcouncil No. 3 and three times as skilled trades representative.
UAW GM VICE PRESIDENT CINDY ESTRADA
Cindy Estrada was elected to her second term as a UAW vice president in June 2014, at the union’s 36th Constitutional Convention. The longtime union organizer and social activist was first elected as vice president in 2010 and is the first Latina elected to serve as an International officer.
Estrada developed a passion for the labor movement while listening to her grandparents and other family members talk about their experiences working on farms and inside the factories of Detroit. Their stories were the first of many that have guided Estrada in her dedication to empower workers and show them they deserve a seat at the table to raise and resolve workplace problems and improve their working conditions.
After graduating from the University of Michigan with a bachelor’s degree in education, Estrada began organizing.In 1995 Estrada was assigned to help organize workers at Mexican Industries in southwest Detroit. The organizing campaign resulted in one of the largest UAW victories for Spanish-speaking manufacturing workers. That win, along with other significant UAW organizing
Region 2-B Director, Ken Lortz
Right to Work Message
REGION 2B
REGIONAL INFORMATION
A member of UAW Local 3036 in Memphis, Tenn. Casteel was appointed to the staff of the International Union in 1997 by UAW President Stephen P. Yokich.
After his appointment to UAW staff, Casteel serviced UAW members at Saturn, Ford and various independent parts firms, as well as supporting retired union members and activists in UAW CAP Councils.
Casteel has gained expertise in grievance handling, arbitration, contract administration, and organizing. Since his election as Region 8 director he has remained a community activist and led a partnership between the UAW and our allies in pursuit of economic and social justice. His determination in achieving civil and human rights for all has helped to inspire the largest union organizing drives in the Southeast.
Casteel is a second-generation UAW member and third-generation member of Steamfitters-Pipefitters Local 760. His father, the late Ray Casteel, was chairman of UAW Local 255 in Florence, Ala.; a national negotiator in 1967 and served as a UAW International representative for 23 years.
Born in Florence, Ala., he is a member of the Democratic Party and the NAACP.
Gary and his wife, Penny, were married in 1984 and have three children, Laura Frances, Clinton Reed and Benjamin Ray. They live in Ashland City, Tenn., and are members of Ashland City United Methodist Church.
successes, led then-UAW President Stephen P. Yokich to appoint Estrada to the International’s organizing staff in 2000.
In 2006 then-UAW Vice President Terry Thurman appointed her as his top administrative assistant, overseeing the development and implementation of the UAW’s organizing strategy. Following the retirement of Thurman, then-UAW President Ron Gettelfinger appointed Estrada to serve as national organizing director.
In 2010, during Estrada’s first term as an International vice president, her responsibilities included directing the UAW Independents, Parts and Suppliers/Competitive Shop Department; Public Sector & Health Care Servicing Department, and the Women’s Department.
Estrada has proudly honored the reason Walter Reuther urged the establishment of an IPS department in 1968: to use the UAW’s parts worker density to establish minimum industry-wide compensation standards in IPS contracts. Estrada’s tenacious and steadfast vision has resulted in breakthrough agreements in the seating and other major auto component part industries. She has also focused on improving worker job security by creating links between the supplier industry and GM, Ford and Chrysler, as well as supporting innovative organizing efforts by parts workers who aren’t earning a living wage in partnership with other low-wage workers.
Upon her re-election as vice president in June 2014, UAW President Dennis Williams assigned Estrada to lead the General Motors Department, making her the first woman and first Latina to do so. In addition to the GM Department, she was also assigned to lead the Independents, Parts, and Suppliers (IPS) Department; and will continue to organize in those areas. She will also continue to lead the Women’s Department.
Director Region 2B - Ken Lortz
Ken Lortz was re-elected Director of UAW Region 2-B, covering the States of Indiana and Ohio, in June 2014 at the Union’s 36th Constitutional Convention.
Delegates to the Union’s 35th Constitutional Convention re-elected him in June 2010 to lead the Region after being first elected at a special Region 2-B convention in April 2009 to replace retiring Director Lloyd Mahaffey.
Prior to becoming Director, Lortz served as Assistant Director of the Region, since 2002 when he was appointed to the position by UAW President Ron Gettelfinger.Following a successful organizing drive at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center in Toledo in 2000, Lortz was assigned as the lead
negotiator for the three newly organized bargaining units that include nurses, technical, and service employees. He helped win significantly improved pension, wage and health benefits for nearly 2,800 new UAW members when they won their first contract.
Lortz carried out servicing responsibilities in Northwest Ohio as a member of Region 2-B Staff from 1993 until 2002. His assignments included Independents, Parts and Suppliers; Technical, Office and Professional contracts, and National Chrysler Group LLC facilities.
Lortz has been a UAW member since 1970 when he joined Local 336 at Atlas Crankshaft in Fostoria, Ohio. He served the members of Local 336 in a variety of positions from 1974 to 1993, including terms as President and Chairman of the bargaining committee.
Lortz was trained and served as a Medic in the Army National Guard from 1971 to 1977.
Active in his community, Lortz is a life member of the NAACP and a member of the Coalition of Labor Union Women. He also serves on the board of directors for Camp Courageous, an organization that provides camping experiences and respite weekends for individuals with developmental disabilities. Additionally, Lortz serves on the board of directors for the Toledo Police Athletic League (PAL) and was appointed by Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland to serve as co-chair of the Governor’s Ohio Auto Industry Support Council.
Ken and his wife Karen, were married in 1973 and have a son, two daughters, and five grandsons. They live near Carey, Ohio, and are members of Our Lady of Consolation Parish and Basilica.