Cap Conference in Washington DC February 3-6

Hi brothers and sisters.  I would like to thank you for sending our Cap Delegates and myself to Washington DC.  The theme for this year’s conference was, “Forging our future through political action”.  We had a number of great speakers, including our UAW International President Ron Gettelfinger. 

Day 1

Brother Gettelfinger stated how critical this election will be for the union, its members, and the country.  

“As in any presidential election, the stakes are high for workers.  We’ve lost more than 3 million manufacturing jobs under the current administration.  Millions more citizens have lost health care coverage.  Our nation’s trade deficits – especially with China – have gone thru the roof.  And the number of workers who belong to unions has slipped below 8%. 

It’s time for a change in direction and a change in leadership.  The UAW will be working hard to elect those candidates who stand with us on the most important issues:  Health care for all, fair trade agreements that include labor and environmental standards, and workers’ right to organize.  UAW local unions, retired workers’ chapters and councils, and CAP councils will once again play key roles in helping to educate, mobilize, and get out the vote.”

Day 2 - Legislative Priorities Set   

Senator James Webb, D-Va., tells delegates that the country has taken the wrong direction under the Bush administration, while delegates help set the UAW’s legislative priorities.

Day 3 – Lobbying for Economic Justice

UAW activists visited Capitol Hill this day to meet with their representatives and senators to discuss issues confronting working people.

Day 4 - Senator Ted Kennedy

Senator Kennedy kept UAW members on their feet with his address.  “I always look forward to being with UAW members because the UAW has been in the vanguard of moving this nation in a positive and constructive way throughout its history.  I listened to your round of applause for the minimum wage. 

Every worker in here receives more than the minimum wage, but you demonstrate your brotherhood for others who are left out and left behind.  It’s an indication of the amazing integrity of this union.  You go out and work not only for decent jobs for your union, but for a better America.  So I am extremely honored and proud to be here.”

Kennedy, who has served on the Senate Labor Committee for 45 years, and is the principal Senate sponsor of the Employee Free Choice Act, used charts to show the link between a strong union movement and a strong economy. 

“From 1947 to 1973 we as a country improved together, and this is the time of heightened union membership.  Now look at 1973 to the year 2000.  This is the time real income for people in the bottom 20% went up just about 10%.  The top went up almost 70%.  This is the beginning of the Republican leadership cutting taxes and giving the preferences to special interests.  And this is the beginning of the attack and the assault on unionism.  It’s the beginning of the attack and the assault on the NLRB.

He then presented a chart on income distribution for the period 2000 to 2006, which shows income falling sharply for low and middle income Americans and rising income for the wealthiest.  “Is that one country with one history and one destiny?” he asked.  “No it’s not.”  Kennedy stated that the Bush administration is the most anti-union, anti-worker administration he’s seen during his time in the U.S. Senate.

“You’ve made this nation the most productive in the world, but you’re not getting the wages.  You’ve had the deck stacked against you because of the anti-union activity that day-after-day is stamping down opportunity for our unions to be able to represent the middle class and the increasing economic strength of the United States of America.  That is why you have to be here and why you have to be serious about supporting those of us who are going to fight for the Employee Free Choice Act.  There are 60 million Americans who want to join a union, and I say it’s about time we let them in!

He also spoke against legislators who have blocked attempts to enact national health care.  “You pay 73% of the (health care insurance) premiums of every member of congress,” said Kennedy referring to taxpayers.  “Every time a member of the United States Congress comes into the Capitol, they’re given a little sheet with their pay, and a box if they want health care.  And they all  check if off – every member!” said Kennedy, his voice rising with anger. 

“That’s why I get so sick and tired of listening to our Republican friends in the United States Senate when we get this (national health care) legislation up, first words out of their mouth, ‘Well this is socialism,’ and then they go down to Walter Reed and get their health care taken care of – free!  I say if it’s good enough for this President of the United States, and it’s good enough for members of Congress, it’s good enough for the UAW and all of America!”

I would like to express my feelings on this year’s election coming up; fighting between each other is not going to help the working people of America.  

We need to put the facts out there and discuss them with each other in a positive way.  Getting angry is not good for any of us.  Getting the right people in Washington to put this country back on track is what is important for all of America.

Robert’s Custom Software Conference

I would also like to thank my brothers and sisters for sending me to the Roberts Custom Software conference.  This conference mainly addressed changes being made by the Department of Labor that effects how we compose and file our LM-2.  I don't know how many of you know this, but many, many changes came about when President Bush appointed Elaine L. Clao, head of the Labor Department.  As financial secretary, I would like to share with you some of the topics/changes covered at the conference that will come into play with the IRS.

·        One of them will be adding schedules to the 990 in the future for better breakdown on how the union membership spends their money.

·        The International also had a representative there to explain to us how important it is for financial secretaries to understand all the rules and regulations, even if they have a bookkeeper. 

·        He explained fines that the IRS can impose on the financial secretary, president, and bookkeeper if books are not properly kept.  Any fines imposed on us are not the responsibility of the UAW, and we have to prove our innocence.  These fines have to be paid out of our personal pocket.  Then once proven that nothing is out of order, the fines can be lifted. 

·        The 990 was reviewed and will soon be filed over the internet like the LM-2, which requires the financial secretary and president to have a digital signature. 

·        There were also a number of other issues that were brought to light like our yearend reports.

·        The way we are required to invest our money for our members.  All investments have to be federally insured, and we are not allowed to invest in the stock market.

·        We also discussed the categories on the lost time voucher.  It is the responsibility of the person filling out the lost time voucher to fill in the categories listed at the bottom. 

·        They also discussed the backup procedure for our records in the local.  As your financial secretary, I can assure you that this has been done properly for a longtime. 

·        Raffles and fundraisers were covered, and how they should be properly handled.

This conference was very informative and a necessity for financial secretaries to attend in order to perform their duties for the Local and membership.  

Cost-of-Living Protection

The proposed agreement maintains the existing COLA formula, based on the CPI-W for all items less medical care. $2.03 of the current $2.08 COLA float will be folded into base wage rates as of the effective date of the agreement. The remaining 5 cents will be the initial COLA float.

The 2-cent quarterly diversion agreed to in the 2005 UAW-GM health care settlement agreement will continue and be made permanent. An additional 4 cents per quarter will be diverted to fund the new VEBA that will secure lifetime health benefits for current and future retirees. A final 4 cents per quarter will be diverted to defray the cost of health care benefits for active workers.  These diversions will be taken in the order listed. There will be no “catch-up” diversions if a quarterly COLA adjustment is less than 10 cents.

Those of you who are dissatisfied with the way the cost-of-living has been agreed to I’m sorry, but please understand the local officer’s did not have anything to do with the negotiations!  Every member of this Local and others voted to pass this agreement.         

Solidarity forever,

 Larry S. Palmer

Financial Secretary

UAW Local 730