Sub Councils

The Shop Committee, Barb, and myself attended Sub Councils August 22-26 in Chicago. 

UAW Intl Vice President Shoemaker

First up was Vice President Shoemaker, who told us that 7.5 million Americans are without a job; with African Americans leading in unemployment at 32%.  He expects 17.4 to 17.5 million cars and trucks to be sold next year.  GM’s “Employee Pricing” brought down the inventory in our lots.  GM lost $948 million in the second quarter, with global market share at 15.2%. 

He told us, “We don’t have any reason to believe the 3^rd Quarter will be good.  We also don’t believe that 2006 is going to be any better.  GM is putting all their eggs in one basket.  They are banking on SUV and trucks, and we believe the market is going the other way to small trucks and cars, due to the price of gas.”

He told us, “The UAW has had a handful of meetings with GM about health care, but they have not been meeting day and night about it.  We will continue to talk to them, and hopefully we will come up with something we both can live with.  Our goal is to help them build cars and trucks, which in return helps create jobs.  We need to catch up with goals and objections for the long term success of both our futures.”

He then talked about Delphi; as you know, they’re in trouble.  Delphi wants GM to take them back.  The new CO of Delphi, whose name is Miller, is threatening the UAW that if they don’t open the contract and give cuts they will declare bankruptcy before October 1 when the laws change. 

This is a real mess brothers and sisters.  We just can’t walk away from them, but if we indeed take them back, we take on a big problem.  Shoemaker told us he would let us know what takes place as they are talking to Delphi and GM on what to do.

Sub Council Recording Secretary

Barb Henderson was nominated by me to be Recording Secretary on Sub Council 6 and sit on that Executive Board.  She won hands down, and I would like to congratulate her on her new position and good luck.  We lost a seat on that board after the elections a year and a half ago, and we’ve been waiting to get another Local 730 person on that Executive Board - and we did just that.

New Work

I found out for sure from Mark Kelly that we will be the head plant for Checking Fixture work, which means we will be adding manpower to a group which was suppose to die out.  As soon as we know how much manpower and how this will affect us, I will pass it on to the membership; but it’s good to see a group get new life when you think they were going to go away.         –Page 1 of 2-

This is just another way brothers and sisters that this committee is looking out for your future.  We’re also working on something else in another area of the plant for new work – so stay tuned!  The work that’s coming in the door far out ways the work that’s going out the door – you need to know this brothers and sisters.

Requisition for 47 Production People

There is a requisition in for 47 Production people and has been approved.  They should be coming in around the end of September.  There are a few snags that are holding it up, but should be worked out soon.  Please welcome these folks in like you always have, because they are all Local 730 people now! 

Also, one requisition has been put in for Tractor Shop Repairman to replace the legendary Dave Huff who is retiring.  Good luck Dave!

Ground Support

We as a committee felt that management was trying to take control of the Grievance Procedure and our Team Process, so we asked the International for some help.  The International came in Friday, September 9, and we had a good meeting with management.  We told them our concerns that Labor would not let supervisors settle grievances on the floor; grievances that should not have to go to Labor. 

We also told management that we (management and union) are supposed to make decisions on Teams together and that wasn’t happening.

Mark Kelly explained to management that it better start happening and he better not have to come back and tell them again to include us in on the Team Process. 

He also explained to them that a supervisor should not be afraid to settle a grievance with the union without interference from Labor Relations.  I will tell you - this is the way it is suppose to work and if it doesn’t, we will ask the International to come back in and explain it again!  Stay tuned brothers and sisters!  It’s time for management to understand what the word “Team” means and work with the Union to get where we need to be.

In solidarity,

LOCAL 730, UAW

Louie Schreuder

Shop Chairman