Shop Chairman’s Report

Dear Brother and Sisters,

Sleeve Policy: We have a new sleeve policy. Maybe not exactly the one we want, but it’s a very good start. The responsibility to maintain the new policy will be upon the membership. We must be constantly vigilant to the dangers around us. To expand the policy, it will be necessary to do TBRA’s (task based risk assessment) in every location that we want the policy to be expanded into. The Maintenance Shops are good examples. Just like expanding areas in the Press Room Bays when the team areas are established.

Joint Funds’ Audit: We were told by the parties from Detroit that everything was okay with the way our Joint Funds have been expended. The facts have been that the $11,780 that was earned by the Regional Veterans’ Council for the 2002 and 2003 Race Days was directed by Veterans’ Council request to be paid to the Veterans’ Home by invoice. Possibly, the President knows who the Regional Veterans’ Council Chairman is if you wish to contact them. I think we should all understand where our Joint Fund moneys go. Through the close personal relationships our President has made with several of the businesses that provide goods and services for our outings, we have been able to save a lot of money over the years. At the same time, these businesses have earned thousands of dollars making it a win-win for all. This year, however, these goods and services will be open for bids to make sure we get the most for our moneys. At the same time, to make sure everything is fair and above board, the Plant Comptroller will oversee the process as always.

New People: We have received nine (9) flow-back Die Makers and one (1) Pipefitter. Along with these folks, we have put on six (6) Millwright EIT’s, and one (1) EIT Electrician. We will continue to get flow-backs as they become available until the requisite is filled. We have flowed back to the trades three (3) Machine Repairmen and one (1) EIT Millwright. We anticipate one (1) more WEMR to retrain, and one (1) more Die Maker re-trainee. We are still waiting to hear about the rest of the Apprentice requisition.

New Plant Manager: We don’t know much about him. What I do know is that he seemed to have a good relationship with the Union representatives at the training session I attended that he facilitated. I guess we will all find out together. I wouldn’t expect that the corporation would send someone here that was going to derail our plant. That’s what I told Gerald Johnson, and his response was that Jeff Hughes was good for our plant. I guess we will all see together.

WEMR Replacements: Last Friday we were able to secure the replacement flow-backs for our departing WEMR’s. Management had resisted replacing them based on their overview of the process. They had decided they could run the business with less by better utilizing manpower. The replacement was very important to maintain stability in that department; and in the end, they relented. Management, has however, made us aware that they do intend to make changes in that group to be more efficient. Just like they have done in all groups in the plant under the concept of Continuous Improvement.

Maintenance Coordinators: They are in place, and they will be key to helping us understand the abilities of our Maintenance trades in regards to future work.

OO-2 Tear Out: From all reports, once again, our Maintenance Trades are performing above expectations. The press removal is going better than expected, and ahead of projected time lines.

New Trainers: There will be a posting going up for Trainers. These positions will be initially for part time Trainers until the entire need has been defined. These Trainers will not just be Health and Safety Trainers as we’ve known in the past, but multifunctional so as to provide the membership a well-rounded opportunity and some relief to the Trainers that are currently there. After a while, training for the same things day-after-day becomes monotonous, and our trainers will have the opportunity to expand their skills if they so choose. So look for the posting on the Union information boards.

This report is being kept short, because I understand the monumental task we have before us in deciding how we are going to pick our next Chairman and off Shift Zone. Gook luck and God bless us all.

Mike Mansfield, Shop Chairman