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President's Report
Your UAW 2166 leadership would like to express our appreciation to all our 2166 members for all you do in keeping our local union and our plant going. We know that times are extremely tough as we have experienced line derates, attrition programs, permanent layoffs and much uncertainty as to what our future pertains. We feel our union brother’s and sister’s pain at American Axle as they are fighting for their very existence as the CEO of American Axle is granted a $10 million plus salary. We do hope for the very best in their negotiations against a very hostile management. It grieves us to no end as we see our UAW brothers and sisters in the US auto industry lose their jobs to unfair trade practices. It pains your leadership when we have members on permanent layoff status. We weep at the very thought of anyone on layoff status at GM Shreveport and at other UAW represented locations. The leadership wants to encourage anyone who is considering one of the attrition packages to really think your decision through giving it much thought. Ask yourself if you are ready to part ways with GM and can you live off the money that the retirement and buyout will provide you. What are your plans after GM? Are you and your spouse ready for lots of time together? What will I do since I don’t go to work 5 days a week? What will I replace my work time at GM with? Do I have a life? This decision is personal to each and every one of you and your leadership wants the best for each of you. We highly encourage anyone who is considering the retirement option to sign up to be a part of the UAW Retirees Union and also for UAW VCAP for Retirees. Please go over both of these options with our Benefit Reps. We have a very nice retiree’s chapter, chaired by Brother James Will, that meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month. Our retirees help us with many projects and are always there when we need them. They help us with phone banking, mail outs, special projects and with much good advice. They almost always have an eating meeting either at the hall or one of the local restaurants. Our retirees are indeed an encouragement to all of us. Please consider joining this wonderful group. You will be glad you did! The political season is upon us as we will be facing several elections this year. We at 2166 are very excited about that we may very well be in a very good position to have a worker friendly candidate as our 4th Congressional candidate. We have several local judge races, Caddo DA race, a US Senate Race and the US presidential race to contend with. We know that nothing will ever get better in the US manufacturing world until we elect worker friendly politicians who truly do understand the plight of the American worker and the struggles of the middle class as we face extinction due to the policies of free trade. We must vote for those who have our best interest at heart. Please consider what your local UAW 2166 CAP committee and State CAP recommends to you. Do everything you can to make sure you and everyone you know votes in the next round of elections. It is so sad when we have low voter turnouts as that states that we as a society are saying we don’t care what happens to us, our city, state and nation Vote your pocketbook! We are excited to announce that Yevette Heath will be our new UAW 2166 Education Chairperson. Yvette has been very involved in our UAW 2166 Women’s Committee and has worked on most special projects since she has been here. Yvette is one of those special people who works her fingers to the bone and expects nothing in return. Yvette will be rolling out the UAW 2166 Scholarship program in the near future. Please extend a wonderful welcome to Yvette to the UAW 2166 leadership. These are very tense times in the plant. Your leadership understands the frustrations that we all are experiencing. 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. 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. Tough times will make all of us tougher and we will get through all of this! Solidarity Forever! |
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