September 2025

Hello Brothers, Sisters, and Siblings!

Welcome to fall—sweatshirts, pumpkin everything (for some!), football (GO BLUE!), and for Local 4911, contract negotiations. Our Local will begin negotiations on September 30th.

We have an incredible bargaining team representing our members: Ashley Wigner and Heather Nolan (Technical Bargaining Unit), Christina Arens-Heydenreich, Stephanie Jones-Embry, Tina Hill, and Zac Torres (Service Bargaining Unit), Kim Howell (Sparrow Specialty Bargaining Unit), Lucas Verwey (Skilled Maintenance Bargaining Unit), Scott Dedic (International Servicing Representative), and myself.

I’d like to personally thank every member who filled out a survey ahead of contract negotiations and made your voice heard. Your bargaining team is committed to working hard for each and every member—and for our Local as a whole—to secure the strongest contract possible.

Recently, several of our members attended the UAW Education Conference at Black Lake. A total of seven of us attended the conference and we came home with new knowledge, new energy, and new friendships. I also had the privilege of attending the National Advisory Council on Civil and Human Rights (NACOCHR) Conference, where I gained insight that I’ve already begun sharing with the rest of our leadership team. These opportunities ensure that the skills and lessons we bring back don’t just benefit us as leaders—they strengthen our union as a whole and create positive, lasting changes for all of our members.

I also want to take a moment to honor the memory of our friend, co-worker, and union brother James (Jim) Parks, who recently passed away. If you knew JP, you knew a friend for life. He was always ready to help anyone, no matter who they were. He will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. His life reminds us that everyone is on a journey, often at a different stage than ourselves—so let’s strive to be kind not only to others but also to ourselves.

As we continue our work at UMH Sparrow - Lansing, serving both the patients in our community and community we live in, let’s remember that we are part of something bigger than ourselves—the UAW.

Let’s take pride in our union, in our shared belonging, and in the good we bring and will continue to bring to our communities every day.

In solidarity,

Kim