MEETING WITH SHOEMAKER

Thursday, June 9, a meeting was called for all Presidents and Chairpersons to attend at the UAW-GM Center for Human Resources.  UAW Vice President Dick Shoemaker called the meeting to bring us up-to-date, as well as, to receive our input. 

He told us GM had not stated they were going to make any announcements, nor had they said anything about what plants they are targeting for shutdown.  Shoe said their target on health care is theirs not ours, and they have not talked to us about it.

He said GM is going through a hard time, which warrants our consideration and attention.  He stated GM’s market share for cars the end of May was 23.1% and market share for trucks was 27.2%.

Shoe stated, “The membership of this union is not responsible for GM’s woes; but I believe if we turn our back on them, we will live to regret it.  There are two ways to help them:  One is within the confines of the contract and the other is making changes in the contract.”

The last thing Brother Shoemaker said, and I quote, “I want to make myself clear, if they (GM) step outside of the contract by themselves on retiree benefits or anything else, we will not help them make cars and trucks no more,” end of quote.  After a lot of discussion about leaving the retirees’ alone,

we agreed that if they have to raise co-pays – it would be better to consider this for active workers.  A motion was put on the floor and supported to back Mr. Shoemaker and his staff on whatever they decide to do with GM and health care.  I trust Shoe and know he will make the right decision for us.  I will let you know any new information as it becomes available to me.

CONTRACTORS

I’m being told contractors will be out of the building by the 24^th of this month.  They will still owe us four days of twelve hours for the Millwrights after the 24^th because of Easter and Memorial weekends.  We will let you know if anything changes, but the bottom line is they owe us four days after the contractors leave the building.

If you haven’t been down to 23 Bay in a while, you should take a walk and check it out.  What a great job by our Brothers and Sisters on that press.  You deserve a big pat on the back for a job being well done!

TIME CLOCKS

We are winding down on our two months that the plant manager has given us to bring the numbers down on people that are punching in later or punching out early.  It is not going as good as I hoped it would.  The numbers are down, but they need to get lower and also Material Handling needs to come to the party. 

You’re going to be mad if they put the clocks back on the floor, and then you’re going to come to the committee and not understand why they did it.  That is why we asked management to let people have a chance to fix it.  Please help us in bringing the numbers down.

LOCAL 730 PICNIC

Another fine job was done Saturday, June 18^th for the Local Union Picnic.  John Peterman and the rest of his committee should get a well deserved pat on the back for the job they all do.  Everyone had a good time and I’m very thankful for the American made Weber grill that I won in the raffle.  Also, all the people that helped set up, tear down, or worked one of the booths – a big thank you to those folks too.

NEW PEOPLE

On Monday, June 6, we had 12 new people come in; most of them from Lansing.  June 20, we had 14 more come in.  The 12 that started June 6, and 13 of the 14 that started June 20 are Production Techs, with one Electrician from Grand Blanc.  Like I always say, they are all Local 730 folks now and please treat them as such.  Show them around and keep them out of harms way.

KIDS STUFF

A racial slur was found in the bathroom by the 800 Pan on Tuesday, June 14.  I will tell you that all the bathrooms are being watched for this kind of stuff.  God give me the ability to see people for who they are and not what they are.  I don’t make threats Brothers and Sisters – I make promises.  And I promise the person that is writing this garbage, you better hope management catches you before I do.

If you indeed are caught, you are talking about losing your job.  Please think about the price you are going to pay before you write on things.  We are all one family here and let’s keep it that way!

NEW PREZ

I would like to welcome Barb Henderson aboard as President.  We have talked to each other and have discussed how we need to work together to help this union as much as we can.  We had a nice meeting at the Executive Board on June 15, and again, working together was discussed. 

Hats off to both Barb and Don, who are working together to make a smooth transition!  There are some people in the union that think its all about me, me, me.  I will tell you, Barb nor I are one of those people that think it’s about us.  If Barb and I can work together without anybody sticking knives in our backs, we will be fine.

In solidarity,

Louie Schreuder

Shop Chairman