A Statement From President Tavares on the Future of UAW Region 9

Dear UAW  Local 2300 and Region 9 Members,

Our union’s strength lies in our solidarity — and today, that solidarity means standing up for Region 9.

The International Executive Board (IEB) will meet on November 17–19, 2025 to decide whether to merge Region 9 and Region 9A. This decision would directly affect our representation, our resources, and our regional voice within the UAW.

President Fain stated during his recent Town Hall:

 “Ultimately the biggest factor in this decision is this — the most important thing is, we have to make sure the members of Region 9 get the support and resources they deserve, so we can continue to have success there.”

We couldn’t agree more. The best way to ensure that support is not through a merger, but through democracy — by holding a special election in accordance with the UAW Constitution, Article 10, Section 18. That article clearly outlines the procedure to fill a regional director vacancy — not by dissolving a region, but by allowing the members to elect their leadership.

Merging Regions 9 and 9A would undermine decades of representation and dilute the strong connections we’ve built between leadership and the rank-and-file members across New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

Now is the time to make our voices heard.

Contact the International Executive Board and urge them to:

✅ Vote NO on merging Region 9 and 9A

✅ Uphold the UAW Constitution — Article 10, Section 18

✅ Stand in solidarity with the members of Region 9

Together, we can ensure that Region 9 remains strong, united, and member-driven.

In solidarity,

John Tavares

President, UAW Local 2300