Nick Rutovic

Nick Rutovic serves as Assistant Director of UAW Region 4, appointed to the position in 2026 by Region 4 Director Lucas Despain. His appointment reflects more than three decades of commitment to the UAW, its membership, and the labor movement.

Nick began his career with Ford Motor Company at the Chicago Assembly Plant in 1991, joining UAW Local 551. Throughout his career, he has served in numerous leadership roles, including alternate committeeman, bargaining representative, vice president of Local 551, and other appointed positions within the UAW.

In 2014, then-UAW Vice President Jimmy Settles appointed Nick as a servicing representative to the UAW National Ford Department in Detroit. In 2018, he was given the opportunity by then-Region 4 Director Ron McInroy to serve as a servicing representative in Region 4, a position he held for eight years before his appointment as Assistant Director.

Nick has also been actively involved in the UAW’s democratic process, serving as a delegate to UAW Constitutional Conventions since 2006. His experience across local union leadership, national department responsibilities, and regional representation has provided him with a broad understanding of the challenges facing UAW members and the importance of strong representation.

Throughout his career, Nick has remained committed to protecting workers’ rights, strengthening collective bargaining, developing union leadership, and ensuring that members have a strong voice in their workplaces and communities.

His approach to leadership is grounded in the belief that union representation is about more than a title or position. It is about service, accountability, solidarity, and standing with the membership. He believes in the principle that we are our sisters’ and brothers’ keepers and that the strength of the labor movement comes from the unity and collective action of its members.