A Proven Leader Working to Restore Union Power and Protect Our Members' Future.
LaShawn English has dedicated her life to the labor movement, rising from the shop floor to become a prominent voice for UAW members across the region. With decades of experience in collective bargaining and a steadfast commitment to transparency, she stands ready to lead Region 1 into a new era of strength and unity. Join us as we stand together for the leadership our union deserve.
LaShawn’s union journey began early, as a member of United Association Building Trades Local 370 in Fenton, Michigan, where she obtained her journeyman’s card as a steam fitter and a licensed plumber. After being hired as a pipefitter at the Stellantis Sterling Stamping Plant, she became an active member of UAW Local 1264. English would go on to be elected President of the local where she served three terms, continuing to break barriers as the first woman of color to serve in the role.
She was also elected as a skilled trades delegate for over a decade, serving on the National Skilled Trades Council, and would later be elected as a National Negotiator at Stellantis for the 2015-2019 bargaining cycle. LaShawn previously served in various roles at the local and regional level: Local Union 1264 Recording Secretary (three terms), Election Committee, Women’s Committee, Region 1 Skilled Trades Council, Region 1 Women’s Council, and Recording Secretary of Genesee County CLUW. She also earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Baker College in 2014.
English currently serves on the board of several organizations: the A. Philip Randolph Institute (APRI), IndustriALL Global Union, Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU), Michigan Democratic Party (MI Dems). She is also a lifelong member of the NAACP. LaShawn is a fierce champion for the membership and is committed to moving UAW Region 1 forward. She believes that we must win justice for workers both inside our workplaces and in our communities.
The Journey of a Leader
Director LaShawn English shattered the glass ceiling in December of 2022, making history when she was elected as the first woman and woman of color to serve as Director of UAW Region 1, following the union’s first direct elections. Through her twenty four years of active UAW involvement, English has served the membership in many key administrative, bargaining, and community-oriented roles.
Expertise & Leadership
★
UAW Region 1 Director
Elected leader overseeing strategic operations and member representation for UAW Region 1, focusing on restoring union power and accountability.
⚒
Bargaining Expertise
Lifelong advocate with shop-floor experience, leading high-stakes contract campaigns and securing massive product commitments for Big Three members.
⚖
Union Democracy Advocacy
Fierce supporter of 'one-member, one-vote' and transparent communication, ensuring every UAW member's voice is heard at the highest levels.
“True UAW Leadership is About Empowering Every Member on the Line.”
Our vision is a UAW where every member's voice is the engine of our progress. We stand for transparency, fierce advocacy, and the unwavering belief that when we stand together, we win together.
Rooted in the Community
Beyond the negotiation table and the shop floor, LaShawn English is defined by her deep connection to the people of Region 1. A daughter of the labor movement, she understands that union strength isn't just about contracts—it's about the lives we build outside the factory gates. Her commitment to family, community service, and mentorship reflects the same integrity she brings to leadership every single day.
