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Dear Sisters and Brothers,

From 1776 to the present day, July 4th has been celebrated as the birth of American independence, with festivities ranging from fireworks, parades and concerts to more casual family gatherings and barbecues. The celebration this year will be much different than those we’ve celebrated for our entire lifetime since we’re still in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and protests are ongoing around our country due to the gross injustices that have occurred.

The Local 223 Executive Board asks you to remember, regardless of how you decide to celebrate or have your voice heard, remember to be safe this holiday.

Please continue to maintain social distancing of six feet and wear masks to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. We’ve seen reports of several places in Michigan, including East Lansing and Traverse City where they have traced individuals who were out in public and unknowingly spreading the coronavirus. In Texas, one surprise birthday party resulted in 18 family members getting COVID-19, with the father hospitalized in ICU.

Local 223 General Council selected Bill Dyer as the Local 223 Treasurer on June 3. The General Council selected a new treasurer because of the time frame to the next election in January, according to Local 223 Trustee Leroy Huckleberry who oversaw the selection process.

The selection was an historic and unusual event due to this happening during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The voting occurred on the first hot, humid day this year. We did selection in the parking lot and people were very understanding considering the circumstances we’re in due to the coronavirus,” said Huckleberry. “We practiced social distancing and brought people into the hall in small groups to vote due to the need for secret ballots. Everyone wore masks, gloves, and we gave out individually wrapped lunches with sandwiches and bottles of water.”

Dyer has served as Fermi 2 Board Chair for more than eight years and six years prior to that as the Chief Steward. He has worked at Fermi 2 for 19 years.

Prior to Local 223 and DTE Energy, he served in the United States Navy for 10 years and was a Hull Tech Nuclear Welder, E-6.

Congratulations Bill! We look forward to your leadership!

Help protect others from COVID-19 by practicing social distancing, and by wearing a cloth face covering that fits snugly and reaches above your nose, below your chin, and completely covers your mouth and nostrils. Learn more: https://bit.ly/2R9av5m

CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain, such as grocery stores, pharmacies, and gas stations.

• Cloth face coverings may slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others.
• Cloth face coverings can be made from household items.

Local 223 recently partnered with DTE and the Hantz Group to provide an online Retirement Conference Call for those who need some assistance with making their decision about retirement.  

• DTE Retiree Pension Options
• DTE Medical & Dental Plans
• Empowerment Retirement 401(k)
• Information from Hantz Financial on how to decide when you’re ready

If you couldn’t attend, please email benefits@local223uwua.org to get more information and request the presentation from the retirement conference call. You can send any questions you have to have to the same email address

Support good jobs this Valentine’s Day with union-made chocolates!

Earlier this month, we celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day! Let’s be proud that we had great men like Martin Luther King Jr. who advocated and believed in the greatness of labor unions.

It’s not too late to order your UWUA 2020 calendar! This year’s UWUA Women’s Caucus calendar is full of inspiring stories from amazing ladies across UWUA!

What are you waiting for? E-mail Valerie King (vking@uwua.net) or Ursula Grant (Ursula.grant@uwua1-2.org) to order NOW!

Local 223 President Mike Smith is retiring officially as President of Local 233 and from DTE on December 29. A retirement celebration was held in his honor earlier this month to thank him for his service.

“Local 223 would like to honor President Mike Smith for his 22 years of union service. He has dedicated his career to helping the members of Local 223 in a variety of union leadership positions,” said Tim Cox, Local 223 Vice President. “He has been a tremendous resource to the Local 223 executive board and division chairs since he’s had such a long union career. We hope he enjoys his well-deserved retirement where he plans to enjoy time with family, golf, traveling and boating.”