April-May 2008—Volume 28, No. 2

Joint Training Report
Special Attrition Packages And TAP

by Doug Ebey, Joint Training Rep

Congratulations to those who are getting the opportunity to participate in one of the Special Attrition Retirement Packages. I wish each of you luck and good fortune during your next endeavors in life. I would also like to say to the rest of us to be encouraged by those who are taking the SAP and know that one day it will be our turn for retirement.

Let me take this opportunity to review the Tuition Assistance Plan and the Dependent Scholarship Plan as they pertain to the Special Attrition Packages.

First, if you take the Pre-retirement offer, that’s the “grow into your retirement” or “26, 27, 28, 29 year” plan, you are still considered active and your TAP/DSP benefits continue. As an employee taking this pre-retirement offer you are eligible for up to $5,000 in degree-related courses given at regionally accredited colleges or universities of which $200 may be used for the purchase of books. You are also entitled to $2200 in job related courses given at vocational schools and $1450 in personal enhancement courses given through acceptable schools including those accredited by recognized accreditation agencies. Keep in mind that any combination of these courses can’t exceed $6000 in a twelve-month period and that all courses are subject to approval by the UAW-GM Center for Human Resources.

If you are one of those who is taking the normal or voluntary 30 years and out, or the Mutually Satisfactory Retirement you are considered retired. You now fall under the Tuition Assistance Plan for Retirees. As a retiree, you are eligible to receive up to $1500 to attend courses held at the plant or Local Union Hall at the location from which you are retired. Also as a retiree any dependent children still qualify for the Dependent Scholarship Program.

Finally if you take the buyout, which is the 10 or more years you get $140000 or less than 10 years you get $70000, unfortunately you receive no TAP/DSP benefits.

Again let me say congratulations to those who have reached this retirement milestone in your lives and I wish you the very best in the years to come. For those of us who chose not to take one of the retirement packages, lets stay positive and hope and pray that this downturn in the auto industry is over soon. May God bless everyone of you, and may God bless the UAW.