My Brothers and Sisters, I’d like to talk a little today about the loss of my good friend and former UAW Secretary-Treasurer Ruben Burks. Ruben passed on Monday, another casualty in this terrible pandemic. He was truly a gentleman and a tireless fighter for working men and women, for our members and for what is right and just. He served this union tirelessly for decades, starting at the GM Fisher Body Plant 2 in Flint, Michigan. He quickly rose through the UAW ranks, serving as committee person, executive board member and director of Region 1C. I will be forever grateful ...
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The UAW International Executive Board is deeply saddened by the passing today of beloved former UAW Secretary-Treasurer Ruben Burks. “It is never easy losing a member of the UAW family, and it is especially hard when it is someone like my union brother Ruben Burks, who gave so much to members and the union that he loved,” said UAW President Rory L. Gamble. “He was a gentleman, and a fighter for what is right and just. I am forever thankful for his leadership and his friendship.” Ruben Burks’ long history of unionism and advocacy for social justice started in 1955 ...
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Ruben Burks’ long history of unionism and advocacy for social justice started in 1955 when he began working as an assembler at the former General Motors Fisher Body Plant 2 in Flint where he joined UAW Local 598. He steadily rose through the ranks of the local, serving in various leadership posts, including shop committeeperson and executive board member. In 1970, then-UAW President Walter Reuther appointed Burks to be an International representative in Region 1C. By 1989, he was the director of Region 1C and held that position for three terms. In 1998, he became the first African-American International UAW ...
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This weekend, Local 598 renamed their union hall to honor Ruben Burks and his decades of service to the UAW. Burks joined Local 598 in 1955 when he worked at the General Motors Fisher Body Plant 2 in Flint. He worked his way up through the union, eventually becoming director of Region 1C in 1989. He went on to serve as UAW Secretary-Treasurer from 1998 until 2002 and was the first African American to hold the position. In addition to his contributions to the UAW, Burks served the Flint community as a leader in several community organizations. To learn more about ...
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