Happy Holidays 

I hope everyone enjoys the holiday time with their families.  The holiday shutdown time was negotiated by the International UAW Union for its members as a time to enjoy the season with our loved ones.  This benefit allows everyone the time off regardless of their seniority or vacation time.

Bell Ringer Collection-Joint Effort

GRMP employee’s  volunteered to ring bells for the Salvation Army.  Thanks to our generous GRMP employee’s……. $3479.02 was collected, as well as, another $2000 from the plant.

Community Service Committee

Salvation Army Giving Tree-Joint Effort

Our Community Service Committee again coordinated this worthwhile project, along with the plant.  Gifts were collected, wrapped, and delivered Saturday, December 18, 2004.  When taking inventory, there were a few bigger ticket items left on the tree this year, but our members came through when individual departments were asked to pull together to help.

Recreation Committee

The Local 730 Christmas Party was held at Studio 28 Sunday, December 12, 2004, with approximately 1800 members and their families attending.  Admission was a non-perishable or canned good and was forwarded through United Way for the Adopt-a-Family Program for union members in need and Head Start children in our area. 

Union Label Committee

I’d like to thank this committee for their display in the plant and helping members shop wisely this holiday season.

Veterans’ Committee

Magnetic Ribbon Campaign- So far $2301 has been collected for the men and women serving overseas. 

Women’s Committee

This committee has been busy collecting, wrapping, and delivering toiletries to a Women’s Shelter.  Also, they adopted a family from Local 19.

Friendly Reminder for Scholarships

There are four (4) College Scholarships available for UAW Local 730 Members and their families.  Applications for Grand Valley are available now at the union hall, and we will be receiving applications for Grand Rapids Community College the first of the year.

1.      UAW Scholarship for Grand Valley State University.  Deadline:  February 1, 2005

2.      Owen Bieber Scholarship for Grand Valley State University.  Deadline:  February 1, 2005

3.      UAW CAP Terry Lint Memorial Scholarship for Grand Rapids Community College.  Deadline:  March 15, 2005

4.      UAW Local 730 Scholarship for Grand Rapids Community College.  Deadline:  March 15, 2005

Congratulations to the CAP Dollar Drive Winners

Especially to Alan Rypma, who won the $10,000 cash award this year. 

Congratulations

·        As of December 13, Apprentice Coordinator Randy Hendrick will be on special assignment in Pontiac as the UAW-MFD Training Representative.

·        Also, Larry Smith has been appointed head of the  Civil Rights Department in Detroit.

Remember Safety

As we look forward to new year, we must remember our safety while we are in and out of the plant.  With the changing weather, we must be prepared for adverse road conditions.  The possibility of slip and fall incidents increase drastically with snow and ice.  Take a few minutes to consider extra precautions while driving.

Thank You

I would like to thank all our standing committee members, elected officials, and the members of Local 730 for the support they have shown for the many different projects and events that have been accomplished this year.  I would also like to wish everyone a happy holiday and a prosperous new year.

Fraternally,

Don Southwell, President