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Alex Santana—Shop Chairman • Mike Haineault—1st Shift Zone • Jeff Hall—2nd & 3rd Shift Zone
Volume III, No. 20 • June 5th, 2008 |
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Educate Yourself National Agreement District Committeepersons (10)—Each bargaining unit will be districted by agreement between the local Plant Management and the Shop Committee so that insofar as practicable each district on each shift shall contain approximately two hundred and fifty employees. Each committeeperson shall have a definitely defined district. The members of the Union in each such district shall select a committeeperson who is working in that district to represent the employees in that district. An alternate district committeeperson in each district, whose duties shall be the same as those of the regular district committeeperson for that district while the regular committeeperson is absent from the plant, may be selected by the members of the Union. The total number of employees receiving a regular payroll check for work performed (plus employees who did not receive a regular payroll check who are on an approved vacation or leave of absence pursuant to Paragraphs 103 and 109 - short term) during a week representative of normal operations, mutually selected by the Plant Management and Shop Committee, will be the number used for redistricting. Plants shall be redistricted not more frequently than at six-month intervals, upon request of either the Plant Management or Shop Committee, when there is a change in the number of employees equal to two hundred and fifty or five percent, whichever is greater. Thereafter, redistricting shall be accomplished within twenty working days of such request. GM NEWS (Socrates) GM ANNOUNCES NEW PRODUCTS, CAPACITY ADJUSTMENTS...GM today (6-3-08) announced a range of strategic initiatives to aggressively respond to growing demand for fuel-efficient vehicles and to economic and market challenges in North America. Rick Wagoner, GM chairman and CEO, made the announcements as part of the GM annual meeting of stockholders. Major initiatives announced by Wagoner include: • A new global compact car program for Chevrolet, a next generation for the popular Chevy Aveo, and a high efficiency engine module for the U.S. market. • Funding for production of the Chevy Volt extended-range electric vehicle. • Addition of third shifts to Lordstown and Orion, which build hot-selling Chevy and Pontiac cars. • Cessation of production at four plants that build pickups, SUVs and medium-duty trucks. • A strategic review of the Hummer brand. "From the start of our North American turnaround plan in 2005, I've said that our goal is not just to return GM to profitability, but to structure GM globally for sustained profitability and growth," said Wagoner. "Since the first of this year, however, U.S. economic and market conditions have become significantly more difficult," he said. "Higher gasoline prices are changing consumer behavior, and they are significantly affecting the U.S. auto industry sales mix." In North America, GM has been moving rapidly and successfully to revitalize its car lineup and grow its crossover business. New GM cars and crossovers, including the Cadillac CTS, Chevy Malibu, Pontiac Vibe and Buick Enclave, have been selling strongly, and GM intends to build on this success. In fact, 18 of the next 19 new GM products for the U.S. will be cars or crossovers. Additional operational and strategic actions will be required to position GM for sustainable profitability and growth. These initiatives fall into three broad areas: product and technology, manufacturing facilities and capacity, and the Hummer brand. Strategic assessment for Hummer brand Finally, GM is undertaking a strategic review of the Hummer brand to determine its fit within the GM portfolio. At this point, the company is considering all options, from a complete revamp of the product lineup to a partial or complete sale of the brand. Moving forward "We are making a number of important announcements today, covering everything from product and technology investments to capacity adjustments to a strategic review of our Hummer brand," said Wagoner. "These moves are all in response to the rapid rise in oil prices and the resulting changes in the U.S., changes that we believe are more structural than cyclical. "While some of the actions, especially the capacity reductions, are very difficult, they are necessary to adjust to changing market and economic conditions and to keep GM's U.S. turnaround on track and moving forward." |
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Shop Talk The battle still continues...
Downtime: No downtime scheduled as of June 4, 2008. Document No. 8 of N. A.: MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING – SPECIAL PROCEDURE FOR ATTENDANCE - Effective June 9, 2008 the ARM will be held and a decision rendered within two (2) working days following the employee’s return to work if the employee has requested the ARM. GM Announcement: “It’s no fun choosing any plant” adding “that the decisions were based on product mixes at the various plants and changing consumer behavior”. “It’s highly unlikely that any of the four plants tagged for closure Tuesday will be assigned a new product”. These were statements made by Rick Wagoner per the media on June 3, 2008 in reference to the announcement on the closing of four plants- Janesville, WI; Moraine, OH; Oshawa, Ontatrio and Taluca, Mexico. The ink on the agreements between the UAW, CAW and General Motors has not even dried. As for Shreveport and the Hummer line, your leadership knows just as much about what is going to happen here as you do. GM is considering all options, from a complete revamp and up to a possible sale of the brand. Anymore information that we may get will be forwarded to you. Special Attrition Program: There were approximately three hundred fifteen (315) Division I and sixty-three (63) Division II employees sign up for the SAP. The following is Division II breakdown by trade; twenty-three (23) electricians, twelve (12) millwrights, six (6) pipefitters, two (2) diemakers, three (3) machine repair, four (4) truck repair, three (3) stationary engineers, one (1) painter glazer and nine (9) toolmakers. Transfers: As a result of the SAP, we do not know how many available openings, but if there is one you may want to transfer to, submit your transfer application. In the event you are canvassed and you accept transfer expect a delay due to mass exits of manpower created by the SAP. Replacements due to the SAP will be back filled by Appendix “A” first, then followed by appendix “K”. Currently they have offered in Shreveport for the following; Arlington (41), Lordstown (4), Fort Wayne (1), Wentzville (1), LGR (1), Hamtramck (2), Lordstown MFD (1) and Orion (13). Stamping: Additional manpower for Division I & Division II in department 60 will be needed due to the remainder seven (7) die sets coming to Shreveport and the SAP. Cost of Living Adjustment: Effective June 2, 2008 employees will receive a twenty-four (24¢) cent per hour C.O.L.A. INCREASE. For a total of forty-six (46¢) cents Cost-of-Living Allowance that will be included in your paycheck for week ending June 8, 2008. Environmental: The local parties, pursuant to direction by the National Parties, have met and agreed that by no later than June 30, 2008 all GM employees will exit all housekeeping functions. Re-District: Information is forthcoming. Notary: Please remember that if you have documents to be notarized, DO NOT sign until you are in front of the Notary. A Notary is a Legal Witness for the State. If you sign before you are in front of the Notary they will not be able to witness your signature. Red Shirt Day: Wear a red shirt on Friday to support our troops!!! Meeting: Union meeting this Sunday at 2:00 p.m. "Our labor unions are not narrow, self-seeking groups. They have raised wages, shortened hours, and provided supplemental benefits. Through collective bargaining and grievance procedures, they have brought justice and democracy to the shop floor." -- John F. Kennedy. IN SOLIDARITY |
