Shop Chairman’s Report

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Thanks for the vote. I appreciate the difficult decisions that have to be made when voting on an agreement. Having been involved in a couple of them now, and knowing what the committee knows because were going through the issues in depth, it’s easier for us to look at the overall picture. The individual brothers and sisters who are impacted by the agreement are going to be more sensitive to changes in their work assignments.

Sometimes unpopular things have to be done for security of the plant, which means security for all. There are times when we know just a little bit of the future and we cannot relate it to the membership, because that little bit isn’t solid. The committee appreciates that enough of the membership understood and took the time to vote for an agreement that will help maintain our position as a Metal Stamping facility.

Hopefully, most of the membership knows about the new press coming next year. This press is so new and modern, that there isn’t one currently in the US. There are only two in operation at this time in Europe. It is bigger than anything we’ve ever seen, and will be the anchor for our transformation into the Mega Stamper we’ve talked about.

There are two presses at this time for the MFD Division, and we got one of them. I could tell you what I believe will follow, but that doesn’t mean it would happen. So I ask the membership to be patient and watch to see our future unfold.

There is a great deal of new and different language in the new Local Agreement. The way we will do 63 Transfers is different, and the training obligations or requirements as we’ve known them are gone. There are many great things, but it will take a little time to make sure management is up to speed on the changes; and that will involve some training for the first line and middle management supervisors. We are developing time lines for each change, and most will be done by the first of the year.

Having said that, there are a few that will take a considerable amount of time to fully implement. As in the past, where the Production Tech classification is just now assuming some of the responsibilities that were instituted in the 1999 Local Agreement. When the dates are all set, they will be given to the affected groups.

In the past when parts built out they were sent to a service plant. This will change for our plant in the future. We will keep these service die sets for their run life, (usually five to seven years), before they are turned over to another facility. This means that work will be diminished, but will stay in addition to the replacement work for those service jobs. All these dies will have to be stored inside as there are too many problems with storing dies outside. These will be short run loops and then be returned to storage.

We are currently working on the individual numbers for each trade that we want to put on now, and take another look at future needs for the plant. We still anticipate starting the first 50 as soon as possible, but at least by the first of the year.

We are currently looking for replacements for those members who have retired from this activity. The new work that was secured in the new Local Agreement will require maintaining certain numbers in the group in order to accomplish those tasks.

These should all be paid next Thursday, October 30 at the latest. Purifying these lists to make sure everyone who had money gets it is difficult and time consuming, but they are being wrapped up.

Bonus Reductions for Friend of the Court

These deductions are not controlled by this plant. Every time there is a big pay out, we always have a problem. None-the-less, those who had money deducted in error should be receiving their money by the end of the month.

Anyone who scheduled or thought they scheduled this day off before the National Agreement made it a holiday, should check to make sure the time is returned to their vacation entitlement.

This is not only the corporation’s policy, but the UAW’s as well. The policy covers sexual harassment, racial prejudice, and any form of intimidation. We must all be conscious of the fact it doesn’t matter what we mean when we say things, it only matters how the person took it and reacts to it. Misunderstandings should be cleared up immediately to prevent further actions taking place.

Once a request for action takes place, neither the Union or Management can ignore the situation. The problem must be addressed and in a timely fashion to once again keep further actions from taking place. We are all brothers and sisters here while under that roof. Each person should expect to be treated fairly and respectfully no matter who they are dealing with.

January-April Vacations

Remember that the filing period for vacations during this period is the month of November. If you need time off during these months, file for it during the filing period.

Yours in solidarity,

Mike Mansfield

Chairman

Local 730 Shop Committee