Local 2256 President Amy Castanon Reflects on 2025 Accomplishments

As 2025 winds down to a close, I look back with pride in seeing and appreciating the hard work and dedication of our rank and file. The Union Movement is alive and well, in capable hands with a great outlook towards the future. 

I am particularly proud of our active standing committees here at Local 2256. They serve tirelessly to benefit our membership and the Greater Lansing community. Without my prompting, these committees are working together with each other as well as with their UAW counterparts throughout the region. Special thanks go out to our Community Services Committee for another year of non-stop activities supporting many individuals, families, and basically the general welfare of our community. From Toys For Tots with Local 4911 to the National Letter Carriers Association’s Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive to sponsoring deserving families in the SIREN Adopt A Family Program during the holiday season with food, clothing and needed gifts, Co-chairs Bree Whalen and David Allen have worked closely with other UAW Locals, proving there is strength in solidarity. 

Our perpetually powerful Civil Rights Committee, chaired by Sonya Bennett and Nicole BellBlair, continues to help our community through varied events during this challenging year for so many people. Despite any and all negative messaging regarding DEI and Civil Rights that we see daily in current events, our Civil Rights Committee, through their positive activism continues to shine a righteous light on the UAW’s unwavering support for all marginalized groups. I hope that everyone saw on the UAW International Facebook and LinkedIn accounts the photo of both the Civil Rights as well as our Education Committee volunteers standing before the Walter Reuther Labor Library as Sonya and Nicole conducted research for the upcoming 2026 Black History Month Program, proudly sponsored in conjunction with our Lansing area UAW Locals.

2025 also kicked off a renewed commitment to learning the proud history of the UAW, our own Local 2256 milestones, and a reassurance that our Education Committee will continue to help our entire rank and file (both seasoned and new hires) understand the importance of who we are, how far we have come, and through continued solidarity create the most educated unionist workforce in the UAW. Co-chairs Alan Harris and Chavae Tower have created a new and expanding Labor History Library at our Hall, have sponsored with the help of International Regional Representative, Scott Dedic, a well-attended UAW 101 workshop, and are laying the groundwork to transform the walls at our Hall for our Local 2256 history to be told through murals. Special thanks to President Stephanie Riley for allowing us to visit Local 598 to admire and learn from the wonderful Hall murals that honor their history and created the educational space that we hope to emulate. The sharing of ideas is alive and well at Local 2256. We appreciate how other Locals and UAW leaders have supported and continue to support the mission of our committees. Isn’t Solidarity wonderful! 

From our Local to yours, have a great 2026! 
Amy Castanon

This article was initially published in the December 2025 Lansing Labor News. For the full article, click here: Lansing Labor News December