Local Negotiations 

The committee has been meeting with local management since July 23.  The demands that were presented to us by management are asking for major changes throughout the plant to create a more flexible workforce.  We know that change is imminent.  It is up to the bargaining committee with the membership’s support on how much change will be allowed. 

 We continually tell management that we still have to come up with a local agreement that the membership will support.  As I reported out before, we are in competition with other stand along stamping plants for survival.  So we need to negotiate an agreement that continues to make our plant an attractive place to competitively do business.

 National Negotiations

On the national level we are not hearing a lot of information on what is going on.  What we are being told is that the agreement is being extended hour by hour and the biggest hurdle is how to solve the benefits and health care issues. 

 We should be proud of our International Union for using what leverage they have so that GM will take the union seriously in these negotiations.  As I hear more information, I will pass it along to the membership.

Epsilon Project

The shop committee was faced with the prospect of not getting this work that was previously awarded to the plant.  So in an effort to secure this work, the committee along with local management, agreed to implement the provision of Document 112 of the National Agreement, and the Local Memorandum of Understanding for Skilled Maintenance Teams. 

 At the present time, this project is ahead of schedule with our members doing all of the work.  Once again, when faced with a tough job, our members stepped up and succeeded. 

Summer Help

It has been mutually agreed to keep the temps thru October 1. 

 Strike Vote

The results of the vote on August 29 were 94% yes and 6% no.

 In solidarity,

 Steve Rop

Shop Chairman

UAW Local 730