February 2008—Volume 28, No. 1

President's Report
Let it Be Said...UAW Members Say "Never Give Up"

by Morgan Johnson, UAW Local 2166 President

Greeting and Happy 2008!

UAW 2166 members are the best! I as your President want to convey the leadership’s appreciation for all the nice things that have happened this past year. We had a wonderful Children’s Christmas Party where our children and grandchildren got to see Santa and skate. The New Year's Eve party was definitely a class event. I have never seen our Union Hall so decorated and full of fun. It was so neat to see everyone dressed so nice and having such a good time. Special thanks are in order to Marilyn Peay and the 2166 Women’s Committee, Rachael Curry and the 2166 Recreation Committee, and all the other volunteers that made all this happen. All of these fine UAW members worked so hard to serve the rest of us and bring all of us something good during the holiday season.

Your leadership would like to commend the membership for the support of our bargaining committee during our ongoing local negotiations. Chairman Santana along with Zones Mike Haineault, Jeff Hall and the bargaining committee are working very hard to secure a local contract. I can’t say enough about the admiration I have for our committee as they deal with the many complex issues at hand Chairman Santana amazes me with his ability to share information, promote teamwork and discipline in the process. I am so glad that we have a committee and E-Board that has all of our best interests at heart.

The political season is upon us as we will be facing several elections this year. We at 2166 are very excited about David Kitterlin who is running for Mayor of Greenwood. David will make a very good mayor as he has lots of experience from his UAW President days. Doug Ebey is running for alderman in his district for the town of Greenwood. Please do everything in your power to help David and Doug get elected. It will be so nice to have friends in the administration of Greenwood. This is the year of elections as many elections are on the horizon. Your leadership encourages all our members to vote and encourage everyone we know to vote. It amazes me that so many choose not to vote and thereby choose to have no say over who rules us or the policies that they may push. I encourage all to vote for what is best for working men and women of this country as our way of life as middle class Americans is disappearing before our very eyes. Vote for those politicians that are worker friendly and who will do what they can to pass laws to keep good paying jobs in America. The only way that things will ever get better is through the ballet box by electing worker friendly politicians. Pay close attention to what the 2166 CAP committee and your State CAP Committee recommend. Vote your pocketbook!

These are very tense times in the plant. Your leadership understands that with the downtime and de-rate coming that it makes our members very nervous. Rest assured that your leadership is doing everything possible to get the best deal possible in negotiating the local contract. Your leadership understands the pressure everyone is under and we will get through all the issues and things we are facing. We encourage all to hold their heads up high and thank the Lord above that we are members of the UAW. We have many things in our corner as we not only have the local but the Region and the International helping us get through all of this. Think about where we would be without the UAW in our corner.

Many have asked about possible retirement/buyout programs that may be coming. We are at present waiting on word from the International and the corporation. We will get out information when we receive it.

Your leadership is very proud of each and everyone of you. Keep those heads up, those spirits high and always be proud of who you are as you are proud members of Local 2166 and you represent what is right with this world. You are American UAW Autoworkers and you build the finest vehicles in the world. As Winston Churchill said when London was being flattened by the German bombers in World War II, “We shall never give up!”