Delphi

As you already know, Delphi is bankrupt.  I wish we could tell you what is going on, but I don’t know anything more than what you know. What we do know is that Delphi and the UAW are talking, as is GM and Delphi.  Delphi wants the workers to take a cut in pay and concessions. 

Delphi has said in its bankruptcy filing that it will ask the courts in December for permission to eliminate medical and life insurance benefits for union represented retirees.  But I will tell you under bankruptcy law, Delphi is required to negotiate a settlement with its union.  If no agreement is reached, Delphi could move to reject Labor contracts and then anything could happen; which includes that the UAW could launch a strike against Delphi after the court mandated negotiating period.

Delphi also wants to create a 10% stake in the company to 600 executives worldwide if the company emerges from bankruptcy.  UAW President Ron Gettelfinger has responded by blasting Delphi for lining the pockets of its executives while asking hourly workers to accept pay cuts, lower benefits, and plant closings.  Some things never change brothers and sisters.  These executives got this company in trouble and now want a reward to get it out of trouble.  That’s all I know right now, but as soon as I find out anything else, I will let the membership know!

New People

Because of what is going on at Delphi, the requisition for 47 people has been put on hold by management.  I can’t tell you now when this is going to happen.  Stay tuned folks, it will all play out; and as soon as I know – you will know.

Discussion on Health Care

I will also tell the membership that GM and the UAW have been discussing health care.  I don’t know any details of what they are talking about, but I’ve been told they’re close to an agreement.  By the time I give this report on Tuesday, October 18 at the union meetings, I could give you some details on what they have agreed to.  I’m suppose to get a call Monday and will know then if they have reached an agreement.  If so, they will bring the President’s and Chairmen to Detroit to let us know what it’s all about.

New Presses

The dates have been moved up on running the new press systems.  The first press is on target to fire up January 31, 2006, and now they’ve moved the other one up to the end of March 2006.  We have a lot of new work for these presses here and a lot more scheduled to come in. 

I’ve said this before brothers and sisters and I’ll say it again, because management will not tell you what a hell of a job you – the construction crew, is doing on both presses. 

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The reason they moved the second press up is because of how fast you are putting it together.  Management comes down and tells you that you can do better, and then they come to me and brag about what a good job the construction crews are doing.  I think you need to hear that, because you are making this plant damn proud!

Personal Attacks

I’ve been getting a lot of members complaining to me about the personal attacks at the union meetings.  I’m not talking about a person that is upset about something and needs to come to the meeting to vent.  I’m talking about the people every month that come to the union meeting to use it as a platform to attack the President, Chairman, or other elected person every month. 

This is nothing new folks.  I’ve seen it happen to Presidents and Chairmen before Barb and myself.  I’ve talked to Barb and the Executive Board about it.  Some cases there is nothing we can do, because that member has the right to vent.  But I will tell you this brothers and sisters, these people don’t care about the union.  It’s all about them.  If these people are on a committee of some sort or appointed by the President or Chairman, the backstabbing will stop, or you will be dealt with if the President or myself think you’re out of line.  It’s time for this union to come together and the repeated personal attacks need to stop.  

In solidarity,

LOCAL 730, UAW

Louie Schreuder

Shop Chairman