Our History

Jul 12, 2005

Your birth certificate (charter) states that you were born on April 3, 1945. The certificate states simply that you were created for the "establishment and future maintenance of a local Union in Detroit, Michigan, to be known as Local 22 of Cadillac Motor Car Company".

It's just a few words on a yellow piece of paper signed by people who are mostly gone now. But what a history that piece of paper could tell if the trials and tribulations that your first members went through to bring you into this world were told.

Just reflect for a moment on your past and some of the UAW leaders that have come forth from you.

The Cadillac workers were not new to the UAW. They had organized in September of 1936 when West Side Local 174, "The Home Local of Walter Reuther," was formed. Your membership helped Walther Reuther form that local and organize it into a meaningful union force.

On January 9, 1937, the 3,800 Cadillac workers staged a sit-down strike, and the first picket lines appeared on Clark Street.

On January 12, 1937, the Fleetwood workers followed suit and staged a sit-down strike; the Fisher Body Plants in Flint, Michigan, had already been struck. The first national strike against GM was in full swing. That strike against GM became history when, on February 11, 1937, GM agreed that the workers would have representation.

THE UAW HAD BEEN RECOGNIZED.

Charles Westphal was the first Unit President for Cadillac at Local 174 and was the Unit Plant Chairman when Local 22 received its charter. On April 3, 1945, he separated from Local 174 and then served Local 22 for four terms as president and six terms as plant chairman. He was also the first retiree chairperson for Local 22 retirees. Charles Westphal's words were, “Nothing is too good for the workers.”

Dave Miller was your very first President when we became Local 22. He, too, had been an active member of Local 174, having been one of its founders. He was a three-term president and a three-term plant chairman. He was also a founding member and chairman of the National Council of Senior Citizens. He administered the last oath of office to Walter Reuther upon his reelection to his 13th consecutive term as UAW President, less than a month before he and his wife May were killed in a plane crash on May 9, 1970.

Louis Machetta An active sit-down striker, Louis served you in many capacities, among them as plant chairman and two terms of president in 1949/50 and 1953/54.

Others have also served as your president and have gone forward to serve the UAW in other capacities on the International Union Level.

They are:

Jim Wagner, Local 22 president for two terms, 1955/56 and 1959/60, and former Asst. Director of GM UAW.

Jesse Damesworth, Local 22 President for two terms, 1960/61, and formerly Coordinator of Unemployment Insurance for all UAW.

Frank Runnels, Local 22 President for six consecutive terms, 1968 through 1983, and formerly Regional Director of Region 1E, UAW.

M.L. Douglas, Local 22 President for two consecutive terms, 1983-1989, and formerly Benefits' Representative at Solidarity House.

Ray A. Church, Local 22 President for three consecutive terms from 1989 to 1995, went on to become an International Representative with Region 1A.

Edward T. Ptasznik, Jr. assumed the office of President when Ray Church was called to the International Union and served for 14 months until he was named Labor Liaison for United Way.

Donald Steele, Jr. moved into the Presidency to fill the vacancy left by Ed Ptasznik's appointment. He remained in office until his assignment to the International Union.

Craig A. Nothnagel, Local 22 President for two consecutive terms, has gone on to the PEL Department at the UAW-GM Center for Human Resources.

George L. McGregor assumed the role of President upon Craig's move to the CHR and was our President for two consecutive terms.

Rhonda G. Maurer was elected as our first female President upon George's retirement and served for two terms, until she was selected to become an International Representative at Region 1, UAW.

Celso A. Duque was installed as President upon Rhonda's move to the Region and served as our first Hispanic President.

Wiley Turnage served as our President from June 2019 to January 2024, overseeing the retooling of the Detroit/Hamtramck plant to become an all-electric facility, now known as Factory ZERO. He has also led the membership through the COVID-19 Pandemic and the 2021 flood with grace, humility, and a genuine affection for the members he represents.

Larry M. Davis became president upon Wiley Turnage's move to International, effective February 1, 2024, and has held the position to the present day.

Your membership has grown from its beginning with Local 174, which initially had only 80 organizing members, to 3,800 strong as they struck for recognition.

Today, Local 22 represents workers at the Detroit/Hamtramck Factory ZERO, the GMPT Romulus Nurses, Factory ZERO Nurses, Aramark Trades and Cleaners, MPS, and the Kautex/Textron gas tank plant.

Larry Davis is your president now, Local 22. Together, he and the other officers of this Local union continue striving to make you the best-represented local in the entire UAW. We have a legacy left to us by those UAW pioneers. Let us be aware and proud of that legacy.

Bruce Arnott (updated by Kristina Spurlock 2025)

Former Recording Secretary