TEAMS

The committee has been meeting with management a lot lately so we can restructure the Team Process in this plant.  We have been looking at where we are at, where we need to go, and what we have to do or change to get to where we want to be.  We still have a lot of work to do on this issue, but I believe both sides, (union and management),  are committed to getting Teams right this time.  We’ve been looking at Production and Support Teams to see what we have to change, and what areas we have to change in the Team structure to get us where we need to be. 

Some of the changes we discussed are for our Support Teams:

·        How many more Teams and Leaders do we need? 

·        Where are the current Teams and existing Team Leaders?

·        How do we transition from today to tomorrow?

·        Selection and de-selection of Team Leaders

·        When and where to have Team meetings

·        Communication between shifts

·        Team size

·        Selection and training of S.P.Q.R.C. Reps

·        Established roles and responsibilities for Supervisors and Leaders

·        Team Support Task Groups

And so on…I could go on for another page.  I need you to know that we are moving forward with this process, and it will not happen overnight.  But when we do have it ready to go, it will be right so we can have truly empowered Teams that will run the way they are suppose to.

MANPOWER

You know by now all the Maintenance projects we have going on with the removal of PP-1 and PP-2, as well as, the removal of CO-13 and CO-14.  Then we will turn around and install the new press in 23 Bay, the new press in 24 Bay, and the new Blanker in Steel Stores.  Plus we have the Mezzanine Project going on upstairs. 

The bottom line is - we do not have the manpower to do all of this.  The committee has asked management to fill another 50 requisitions for Apprentices they owe us from the contract.  Now it will be up to the International parties to agree on how many Apprentices and how many Journeymen from Area Hire we will receive. 

We need these people badly to make sure we do the Press Projects and the new Blanker.  Our people can do this with more manpower.  Then once we get them installed and something needs to be fixed, because we put it in we will know what we are doing when it does need to be worked on! 

Understand that even with new manpower we still do not have enough to complete all the projects going on at once.  So the Presses and the Blanker will get first priority, and if we subcontract something out, it will be the Mezzanine Project. 

The committee agrees it is more important for our people to do the Press Projects and the Blanker Job, than it is to build a bathroom and locker room.  We still need to get the Mezzanine Projects going, but even with new manpower we do not have the people to do all of these projects ourselves folks!

NEW QUALITY NETWORK REP

Larry Givens was appointed by Vice President Shoemaker to be our Quality Network Representative.  Twenty people put in for this job and about half were qualified to take the job.  The Local President and myself can only submit three names to International.  As I said before, I do not like this process because 19 people are mad at you for not picking them, and one is happy. 

Brothers and Sisters, if you laid all the resumes side by side, there was one which stood out - and that was Brother Givens.  This is why he has been appointed the new Quality Network Rep.

SAFETY AUDIT

Last month Safety Auditors were in the plant; one form GM and one from the UAW Safety Department.  For many different reasons, we did not do well.  A lot of people did not do their homework and waited until the last minute to get their area done.  That made us look bad on the audit, because they didn’t have their module completed and things showed up that were not done correctly.  We also had people on both sides that were not committed for us to pass this Safety Audit. 

We plan on bringing the Auditor back before the end of the year, to try to get it right this time.  I will tell you that the people on our side have been or will be addressed to have our Safety Modules ready to go.  I expect people to do their job and will not settle for anything less.

NEW GUY

Jack Martinez was elected as Alternate Committeeman for Mike Thompson on second shift.  Jack was elected last Friday/Saturday.  We would like to welcome Jack to the team and will help him in anyway we can.  I can tell you that Mike Thompson is glad to have an alternate in place to help him in his district.   We ask that you throw your support behind Jack as he starts his new job!

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

I have been going to the funeral home way to much lately.  Out of respect I will not mention names; but I will say our thoughts and prayers are with our UAW/GM families that have lost a loved one, we will not forget you, and may God bless you!

VACATION TIME

I saved my vacation time for November, because I  love to deer hunt and be in the woods.  I am so thankful that for the two weeks I’ll be gone I have Steve Rop and our committee that I trust to run the show.  Steve will have my cell phone number, which will be on vibrate while I am in the swamp. I will say it’s nice to have someone like Steve to back me up so I can take a break.  I got three bucks last year between out west and here in Michigan.  I guess I have my work cut out for me if I want to top last year!

VOTE

Please do not forget to vote Tuesday, November 2^nd.  A lot of Veteran’s gave their lives to give you the right to cast your ballot in this free country.

Fraternally,

Louie Schreuder

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