Local Negotiations 

As I have stated before, we have been meeting locally since July 23.  We have made good progress, but still have some unresolved issues.  Before we can finish, representatives from the International will come into the plant and determine what is core and non-core.  This is to be done at the other stamping plants also to equal the playing field between them.

I have been hearing of a lot of employee-on- employee conflict.  We are all brothers and sisters here in this local union, and we need to act like it.  When we were on strike, we were solidified like I have never seen before and we need to maintain this focus now and forever.  

Epsilon Project

The brothers and sisters that were involved in the project of removing the 800 Pan and Cowl Lines did a great job and got it done ahead of schedule.  The committee knows that some people did not care for the way we did it under Document 112 of the National Agreement.  The bottom line is we kept the contractors out and our people did the work.  Once again, a job well done by our people!

National Contract

By now you know that the national contract has passed and takes affect October 15, 2007.  The committee knows better than anyone that some of it needs to be explained better than it has been. 

One issue that everyone is asking about is core and non-core work, and which is and which is not.  We can tell you that the International has told us that they are coming into the plant to determine what is core and non-core. 

A lot of people are asking about wages.  The committee can tell you if you are a seniority employee, your pay stays the same no matter if you are on a core or non-core job. 

Like we said before, the International should be in here to make that determination in the next few weeks.  As soon as we know, the membership will know brothers and sisters.

Gone But Never Forgotten

A lot of people have lost people that they love in the last two weeks, and just a note to tell them they are in our thoughts and prayers.  You can hurt yourself and within a couple of days you heal back up.  But when you lose someone like a family member, the hurt gets better in time, but may never totally go away. 

Keep in mind that we do have E.A.P. help, and Angie is always willing to listen to someone that needs to talk about it.

In solidarity,

Steve Rop

Shop Chairman

UAW Local 730