2015 Man of the Year - Mike Spraker, Vice President Western Virginia CLUW, UAW 2069
In 1984, Mike came to work at the Volvo Assembly Plant at Dublin, VA. Shortly after starting he signed his FIRST Union Card. But, like so many new Union members his participation was minimal. He attended Union meetings occasionally, but not really involved, always thinking “someone else would take care to that”.
During the strike in 1991, Mike walked the picket line and impressed upon his daughters the importance of supporting the group by delivering food and firewood. Helping out; but still on the fringe.
Leading up to another “labor dispute” it was good friend, Randy Rakes, who convinced Mike that his Union needed him to take more responsibility. Randy persuaded Mike to attend UAW summer school in Nashville (what Mike calls Union-101). That’s when the light came on!
Since 2007 Mike has served UAW Local 2069 as strike captain, alternate shop steward, executive board trustee, CAP chairman and Vice President as well as a dedicated member of the Veterans committee. Mike was selected in 2008 to represent Local 2069 in the labor movement working through the Virginia AFL-CIO to elect President Barack Obama; and re-elect him in 2012. Later, he became a delegate to the Western Virginia Labor Council, where he served on the Executive Council of the Virginia AFL-CIO. Mike is a proud member and current Vice President of the Western VA Chapter of CLUW. He continues to serve the Virginia State UAW CAP as Vice President.
Mike and his high school sweetheart, Dana, make their home on Claytor Lake in Pulaski County. They have 2 beautiful daughters – Jessie, a social worker who is the Therapeutic Day Treatment Director at Family Preservation Services in the New River Valley; and Jody, Deputy Director for Rachel’s Network, an environmental non-profit in Washington, DC.
UNION has been good to Mike and becoming an active part of the Labor Movement is the highlight of his working career. Retired as of August 1, 2015, Mike plans to stay active!