Jimmy Lakeman is the UAW Region 9 Director. He was elected in a special election on Jan. 15, 2026, by an Unanimous vote of solidarity by the 33 delegates.
Jimmy has been a UAW international Rep. since Sept of 2010. While a Rep within the Region, Brother Lakeman has service contracts in many diverse sectors of our Region. He has negotiated contracts and serviced in Steel, Auto, IPS, TOP, Legal Services, and Higher Ed.
Just prior to being elected Regional Director, Jimmy fought to keep Region 9 from being merged with any other regions. He recognized the importance of keeping the balance of power on the IEB, he embodied the long tradition of Region 9 and had a vision of taking our diverse Region and moving forward as one.
Since being elected Jimmy has some significant accomplishments in a short period of time. He and the staff have initiated and assisted in winning two first time contracts in Higher Ed and IPS. Welcoming 3500 members from the University of Penn and 130 members from Westport Axle.
He has engaged our members in training offered in numerous locations in our Region which has never happened before.
He has empowered standing committees and has more planned to “appeal to our members passions”
He has met with Retiree chapters and the area retiree council chairs to see what issues are challenges for them and how to resolve those challenges.
During his time as a Union Leader, Jimmy has been engaged in Politics. In 2008 he worked to elected Bill Owens to Congress in the north County of NY. Jimmy was the driving force for Unemployment for Striking Workers in NYS in 2019. He lead the labor movement in Buffalo’s Mayor Brown write in campaign in 2021, which was overwhelmingly successful. In 2025 he was an integral part of Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan’s campaign and served on his transition team following his victory.
Besides all his dedication to the UAW, brother Lakeman also serves his community with the same passion. Jimmy has raised over $200k for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation over the last 19years. He raise over $7k to send WNY athletes to the Special Olympics and he sits on the board & volunteers at Rooted in Love that provides fresh produce to disenfranchised members of the WNY community.
In a short period of time, under Jimmy’s leadership our Region is on the path of success and has restored our tradition and collective power.
We are asking for your support to give Jimmy Lakeman a full term as Director, so we can continue on our path and empower our members and the Local’s the belong to.
There will be ballots mailed to active & retired member’s home in late August and need to be returned by Oct. 5, 2026.
Please support Jimmy Lakeman for UAW Region 9 Director.
