MANPOWER

Starting November 1^st and running through this month and maybe into December, you will be seeing a lot of new faces.  On Monday, November 1^st we had 4 Power House, 4 Painters, and 2 Tractor Repair come in.  Then on November 8^th we were slated to get 17 Production, 3 Die Makers, and 1 Welder.  When it’s said and done, we will be getting 37 Production people and 40 more Maintenance people; which include 15 Electricians, 15 Machine Repair, and 10 Millwrights.  We also need Pipefitters, but there aren’t any in the Area Hire System.  So we are looking at cross-training some WEMR’s into Pipefitting. 

We have pretty close to two years worth of projects in Maintenance and with all the people that could retire in the next two years, we need these people to install these presses and blankers  and to perform as much of this work ourselves as we can!  By bringing these people in, I do not mean to bump people off their shift of choice, but brothers and sisters, part of  my job is to get as much work in this plant as I can and to make sure we have enough manpower to perform the jobs we are suppose to. 

We will also be getting some Pattern Makers and Die Makers in the near future.  The Pattern Makers will be Apprentices and the Die Makers will be Journeymen from Area Hire.  I have not received a solid number on this yet, but more than likely it will be in the 20 to 25 range.  All of the people will be coming from Lansing (GM), Delphi, and Lear.  Understand that once we ask for people, it’s up to the International parties to work out if we get Apprentices or Journeymen, and a lot of this is determined on what is in the Area Hire. 

Please help me welcome these folks to our plant, as well as, welcoming them back to “GM”.  Every time I meet with these new people, I tell them I don’t care where they came from, but they are Grand Rapids people now.  Under my watch, everyone will be treated the same!  Please give these people a Local 730 welcome and help keep them safe on the floor!

SAFETY

It seems like it is calming down a bit with people getting hurt in the plant.  Keep focus around you and what is going on so we can all remain safe.  With hunting season here, I’d like to remind our members of a few simple safety rules. 

·        Always know what is behind your target when you are shooting.

·        Always know what you are shooting at. 

·        When you’re done hunting, unload your gun before you enter your house or car!  Last year a person I knew brought his Blackpower rifle into the house loaded.  He dropped the gun in his kitchen, shot himself, and later died.  Have respect for your weapon of choice.

96 MOVES 

We do have work going to Mansfield, Ohio because of the two lines shutting down for the new presses being installed.  If anyone is interested in such a move, please give your committeeperson your name, or stop by the Work Center and leave your name to be put on my desk.  If there is an interest, I will ask the International to approve the moves.

96 MOVES FROM GRAND BLANC

I was told this morning that I will know by December 3^rd after the posting comes down at Grand Blanc on how many 96 Moves will be coming to Grand Rapids.  So I will let you know next month in my report what is going on with that. 

LOCAL 19 LOCKED OUT

You may have already read about this in the paper.  Local 19, which in part represents Light Metals, is locked out of their plant.  We have also been informed that all active and retired members have received notification that their health insurance was dropped as of November 1^st. 

We are asking Local 730 members and their families for their support Thursday, November 18^th by joining our union brothers and sisters at 4 p.m. at the Light Metals plant located at 2740 Prairie SW.  (This is between Byron Center and Ivanrest.)  There’s never a good time for this to happen, but it’s especially difficult to endure during the holiday season. 

A TIME TO BE THANKFUL

I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving  and can find something to be thankful for!  I know this committee is thankful for your support as we move forward in taking care of our people and our plant (in that order).  Everything we do and every move we make is in your best interest.  Anyone thinking anything else is badly mistaken.  Happy Thanksgiving and God bless our soldiers, who I will be especially thinking of during this time of year.

Fraternally,

Louie Schreuder

Shop Chairman