After 19 previous wins, it came as no surprise that UAW Region 5 members won this year’s V-CAP award.

The award was presented by UAW President Dennis Williams and UAW Secretary-Treasurer Gary Casteel to Region 5 Director Gary Jones, whose region raised more than $2 million.

And, as it has happened all 19 times, more than 1,100 CAP delegates cheered Region 5 members as Jones accepted the award on their behalf.

Money raised with the voluntary donations makes it possible for union members to support candidates and issues that affect unions and working families and “helps us do the things that we need to do,” Williams told delegates.

Jones is already predicting that Region 5 will continue its winning streak.

“Only 20 percent of our members are currently in V-CAP,” he said. “Next year we are going to get 30 percent and go for $3 million.”