Juanita Ray

Juanita Ray has served as the president of Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA), Local 223, Region IV, Michigan since Feb. 19, 2020. She successfully navigated the COVID-19 pandemic and worked with her executive board to ensure the safety of her members. She is currently serving her second term for UWUA Local 223, which represents approximately 4,000 members employed in the electric, gas, wind, steam and nuclear utility sector in Michigan. She is also a National Executive Board member-at-large, a trustee for the Metro Detroit AFL-CIO, and sits on the United Way Ambassador Club Labor subcommittee. She also serves as an instructor of the Michigan Women’s Labor School.

Juanita, the first black woman who has served as president of Local 223, is a 35-year union member. Prior to becoming president, Juanita served as treasurer of Local 223 in June 2017. To increase community involvement, Juanita created the Local 223 Community and Solidarity Committee in 2017 and she also mentors people who are at risk of losing their jobs.

From 2002 through 2020, Juanita served Local 223 in a variety of roles – as a shop steward, bargaining and grievance committee person, treasurer of Power Generation Division. In 2010 she became the first black female board member of the Power Generation Division, serving as treasurer. Prior, she served as committeeperson of the Belle River Power Plant, was appointed to Bargaining & Grievance (B&G) and served as shop steward.

Before Local 223, she served as a Local 600 shop steward and committeeperson at the Ford Rouge Steel Complex. Juanita was the first female to enter the apprenticeship program as an Instrument and Control Technician, paving the way for other females to apply to the apprenticeship program.

Juanita has more than 24 years of experience in the utility industry; including successfully negotiating numerous labor agreements, strategic planning and policy development, and various outreach and mobilization activities. Juanita has successfully promoted the interests of working people with respect to energy and workers’ rights issues in Michigan. She has experience in effectively collaborating on numerous initiatives with community leaders, employers, and various advocacy groups. Juanita is a graduate of Wayne State University’s Labor School.