JOB WELL DONE

On April 8, the Grand Rapids Metal Plant received Phase III Certification in the Quality Network Planned Maintenance Program (QNPM).  The QNPM Award is a point based assessment that critiques our efforts to make continuous improvements in Safety, Quality, Throughput, and Cost Reduction through compliance with the QNPM Program.  Out of a possible 1500 points, we received a score of 1474.02; which is one of the best scores in the division.

When I took over as Chairman last June and saw how far we had to raise our numbers and then hold them there for three months before the auditors would even come in for certification, I knew we had our work cut out for us.  But both the UAW and management stepped up to the plate and got the job done - and got it done well. 

I do not have the room to name all of you, but I would like to thank each and every one of you for giving 100%.  I also know some of you put your own time in to make this plant look good, and this act did not go unnoticed by me.  From the person that puts the PM Summary on my desk to the people in charge of Planned Maintenance – a job well done and thank you for your time.  Now folks, let’s keep those numbers where they are at, or take them higher.

KEY FOUR IN DEARBORN

On April 14, Jeff Hughes, Don Southwell, Roger Chalk, and I attended a Key Four meeting in Dearborn, and I thought I would share some of the information that was talked about.  Rick Wagoner was the first speaker and some of the things he said were:

·        GMAC has been doing well, but will have to borrow money at a high interest rate; which will affect them down the line. 

·        China is now the second largest market for GM behind the U.S. 

·        GM Europe is doing okay now.  After years of building a market over there, it is just now living up to expectations.

·        GM will spend $8 billion in product spending, with most of it to be spent in North America. 

·        After a bad January and February, March was solid; and so far April has been good.

·        GM spent $5.2 billion on health care in 2004, which is $1525 per car. 

·        The U.S. ranks 37^th in the world in healthcare.  He stated that GM has 170,000 employees, 500,000 dependents, and 422,000 retirees and surviving spouses on the Health Care System.

Next up was Ron Gettelfinger, the President of the UAW.  Some of the things he talked about were:

·        What a mess our country is in, and the gap between rich and poor is the worst it has been since the 1920’s. 

·        The trade difference with Japan is $75 billion.

·        He is concerned about the Free Trade Agreement with Thailand, and Japan building their trucks in Thailand and then sending them to the U.S. 

·        He said 45 million Americans are without healthcare in this country. 

·        And last but not least, the UAW is ready to work with GM in the framework of the National Agreement to improve health care.

Gary Cowger, Vice President of GM talked next and said:

·        Our plants are five more times safer than Toyota plants. 

·        Our quality, according to J.D. Powers, has improved by 33% since 1999. 

·        The Cobalt and G-6 had record months in March, and it was the best March for trucks since 1978.

Nest was Richard Shoemaker, Vice President and Director of the UAW GM Department.      Continued...

·        He stated we have no interest in opening the contract, and he expects GM to live up to the contract that they signed.  “The health care issue will not be solved at the bargaining table, and I don’t believe in cost shifting to our members.” 

·        He said they owe us 6800 employees from the contract.  We have not waved that, but have not put pressure on GM either. 

·        Shoe told us that he has told Fidelity that they need to get it together now! 

·        He also told us that the pension fund is $3 billion over-funded.

The Chief Financial Officer for GM, John Devine, told us:

·        GM has $20 billion cash on hand, and they are $32 billion in long term debt.

And last, Stephan Girsky, Managing Director for Morgan Stanley, told us:

·        In 25 segments of Quality, GM won 11 of them – more than any other car company!

NEW PEOPLE   

On Monday, April 11, we received under 96 Moves from Grand Blanc:

3 Die Makers

1 Die Welder, and

1 Millwright. 

We also had one HVAC from Lansing.  Please welcome these folks to Grand Rapids and show them around, because they are all Local 730 people now!  We have one more coming, but he will not be here until June 13.

PRESS PROJECTS

We are still doing well in 23 Bay and 24 Bay.  GM talked about moving ahead the Truck Program at the Key Four in Dearborn, so it could be that they might want the first press up and running before the end of the year.  As soon as I hear something, I will pass it on!  Until then, keep up the good work brothers and sisters.

LAYOFFS

Besides TDO, there is nothing right now, but that can change by the week.  Some of the plants that we ship to are going to be down longer now, but we are also starting to sell cars and trucks.  As soon as management tells us something, we will let you know.  We are going week-to-week on this, and I ask them every week…so stay tuned.

DOWN BUT NOT OUT!

 It’s a bad time for GM right now, but we have been there before folks and got back off the floor and went on.  I see how many people are without healthcare – 45 million in this country and the leadership of this country is focused on oil and drilling for it in Alaska.  It’s time to take care of the people in this country.  We will survive this and be stronger for it.

THANKS

Steve will be reporting out at the union meetings for me on Tuesday, April 19, because just like last year, I took the first few days of turkey hunting off to go north and do some hunting with two guys named Bear and Boo Boo.  Can you believe it?

In solidarity,

Louie Schreuder, Shop Chairman