Lucas DeSpain joined UAW Local 865 in East Moline, IL in 2004 when he was hired at John Deere Harvester Works as a welder. Lucas learned an early lesson in the collective power of the UAW when his local won a grievance regarding a major seniority violation that returned him and others to their home plant, with back pay. His fellow workers quickly recognized Lucas as someone to lead fights for workplace justice, electing him Steward, Committeeperson and Chairperson.

In 2015, Lucas was elected co-chair of the UAW/Deere National Bargaining Committee and appointed to UAW Region 4 Staff soon after, servicing Ag Imp, IPS and TOP local unions. Lucas has been increasingly inspired by UAW members, especially since the fall of 2021, when members at Deere returned to our fighting roots, standing up and fighting back against their immensely profitable employer, taking power back.

Lucas has served as Assistant Director of UAW Region 4 since 2023. He’s been deeply involved in educating, agitating and organizing thousands of members who visit the UAW’s only regional education center in Ottawa, Illinois each year. Lucas is passionate about working with Region 4 members and leaders to increase democratic member involvement in our union and expand improvements made over the last four years; gains made possible because UAW members were willing to Stand Up, together!