Shop Chairman’s Report
By: Louie Schreuder
Shop Committee Members: Steve Rop, Zone/Recording Secretary, Marty Green, Mike Thompson, Al Nielsen, Duane Sprague, and Mike Yorton
March 2006
SAFETY
So far this year we have been doing well as a plant in the safety area. As of this writing we have seventeen recordable injuries, which is still seventeen too many, but it is better than we have done in the past. Remember, part of this Committee’s job is to keep you safe. If you think or see something that is unsafe please bring it to someone’s attention, whether it is your committeeperson, a supervisor, or one of our safety representatives. They need to know so it can be corrected. Look around for your brothers and sisters and be aware of what is going on around you and them.
TOWER
Last Thursday, March 16th, they began tearing down the ASRS Tower in the southend of the plant. If you have not seen it yet, you must. They have a crane that can go 116 feet in the air. It has hydraulic scissors at the end that can cut steel beams like toothpicks! Management tells me that it will take approximately 3 to 4 weeks to take down the tower. When you get an opportunity take a gander at it folks, that crane is something to see in action. They do not have a bid on the construction of the building yet, when they do we will sit down and go through it with them. When this happens, we will let you know how, when, what, and where!
SPIELMAN VISIT
Joe Spielman, Vice President for General Motors, was in the Plant on Thursday, March 16th for a visit. We started with a scorecard review which went well. Then we went into T.D.O. and Joe looked at some of the 900 dies that will be running in the new presses. After T.D.O., we walked to Metal Assembly and looked at the new weld cells from Lansing. He then looked at some Level 5 boards and talked to a number of team members about different things on their boards. We went down to 23 Bay and watched the new press run. I could see by the expression on Joe’s face that he liked what he saw. We then looked at the tower and explained what out plans were with the project. He also took time to watch the new cut to length line in steel stores. Finally we went back up front for a wrap up. He told us that he likes what he had just seen out on the floor and likes the path that Grand Rapids is on. He informed us that we need to continue to stay focused if we are going to get through these hard times. He further spoke about how General Motors is getting smaller. Many thanks to you brothers and sisters, for the way you make this plant look. We do not have to worry about getting caught in the cross fire, because we are in their plans for the future!
96 MOVES
I was informed by Detroit on Thursday that they, the UAW, agreed with General Motors to send 39 people from Lansing on 96 moves. These moves are from the weld cells in Metal Assembly. We are also keeping our small presses in O line. We will be receiving more work from Lansing. It breaks down to 35 people other than skilled and 4 people that are skilled. I’m being told that the 4 skilled are two die makers and two millwrights. They have to put up a posting at the Lansing plant yet so I don’t know for sure when they will be coming or what their seniority will be. As soon as I know I will let you know.
DELUCA VISIT
Jim DeLuca, General Motors Manufacturing Manager, will be stopping in on Tuesday, March 21st for about an hour or so in between plants. I am being told he has a couple of presents for Grand Rapids. I now that one of them is that we are keeping the small press work on O line. Management wanted to send that work out of this plant. This committee went to work and not only saved that work, but we also are bringing in more work from Lansing to feed them. Management wanted to get rid of the small press line for storage of dies. After going back and forth we agreed to move them into metal assembly and put them where the 95 wheel house is. The 95 wheel house is dead in the water so that is the reason we are replacing it. The other present I am not sure about yet. However, we will know on Tuesday!
IT’S YOUR FAULT
When General Motors gives us work because of our plant’s reputation it is because of the workers on the floor. When Spielman and DeLuca listen to our teams talk about their level 5 boards and they like what they hear, it is because of the people on the floor. When we get awarded new work it is because of the people on the floor. What I am trying to say is “Brothers and Sisters you are the ones that help this Committee. When we go after new work and get awarded, it is because of the way you do your job.” The people on the floor need to pat themselves on the back when Grand Rapids gets awarded new work. It is because of your work ethics and the pride you take in doing your job. The Shop Committee says “thank you!”