Sub Councils 

The Shop Committee, President, and I attended Sub Council 4 and 6 in Dearborn the week of January 22^nd.  It was evident that management is putting a lot of pressure on Local’s to start negotiating early and are coming after things they could use to whipsaw other plants.  It’s not only the foreign transplants we are in competition with for survival.  We are also competing with other stand alone stamping plants.  GM management claims they are over capacity and want to consolidate stamping plants and operate with one less in Michigan, and one less in Ohio or Indiana.

Skilled Trades Conference in Detroit

On February 5-8, the four Skilled Trade Delegates, the President, and I attended this conference.  Resolutions that affect the trades were read, debated, amended, voted on, and passed to be negotiated at the national table.  We also heard from the following speakers:

Professor Harley Shakiem, Kwane Kilpatrick, Ron Gettelfinger, Cal Rapson, Terry Thurman, Karla Swift, and Dick Long.

New People  Twenty-one people started at our plant Monday, February 12, which closes out the current requisition management had in through NEPC for now.  February 19 our new brothers and sisters will be ready to hit the floor, and the rest of the temps will have been released.  Please treat these new members as you would like to be treated, as they are part of Local 730 now.  Also, I would like to wish the temps success in their future endeavors, and hope they had an enjoyable and eye-opening experience during their time here.

Appointments

The week of January 29, the President and I conducted many interviews for the three open Document 46 positions - Joint Training Rep and first and second shift Alternate Health and Safety Reps.  Individuals have been selected and their names were forwarded to the Region and International for approval. 

While studying the applicant’s resumes and speaking to them during the interviews, it really opened my eyes as to how much talent there is out on the plant floor, which made the selection process difficult.   

Safety

While in Detroit, we were told of two recent fatalities that occurred at a Ford plant in Ohio on February 2 and of another one on the morning of February 6 in Flint, Local 659.  I don’t want to sound like a broken record, but whatever you are doing – please take the time to think about it thoroughly and be aware of your surroundings at work, home, on the road - wherever you are.

Local Demands

We will be accepting local demands starting Monday, March 5 through Friday, March 30.  Forms will be available outside the work center and benefit office.  If you need help in writing a demand, please feel free to ask your Committeeperson or Zones for assistance.

In solidarity,

Steve Rop, Shop Chairman, UAW Local 730