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.  Please keep all our union brothers and sisters, family members, and those less fortunate in your hearts and prayers during these very trying times.  As well as our soldiers who are serving and protecting our families.

Recreation Committee

The Local 730 Christmas Party was held at Studio 28 Sunday, December 11, 2005, with many of our members and their families attending.  Admission was a non-perishable or canned good and was forwarded through United Way to UAW Locals 1669 of Petosky and Local 2101 of Cadilac

Union Label Committee

I’d like to thank this committee for their display in the plant and helping members shop wisely this holiday season.  And a special thank you to PJ Artis for adding information to the gift tags on the Christmas trees in the plant to make it easier for our members to buy Union and American whenever possible.

Veterans Committee

·        Volunteers Needed:  They are also helping with the VFW Home for Children and Families in Eaton Rapids.  They have already saved the home $5000 their first day on the job. 

·        Again this year they will be collecting items for the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans. 

·        Veterans Committee is selling posters and frames. 

Civil Rights Committee

Congratulations to Karen Fren-Kennedy, who is the winner of the Tutwiler quilt the committee raffled off.  Thanks to everyone who supports this worthy cause.

Community Service Committee

Along with the gifts for the Giving Tree, the gate collection totaled $3000 with another $2000 contributed from the plant.  

Reminder:  Please call Fidelity to update your beneficiary and make sure to update wills with any changes you may have.  Your Benefit Rep does not have this information.

CAP Dollar Drive Drawing

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Region held its drawing the 16^th instead of the 9^th.  A member from Local 330 won the $10,000, but there were some winners from Local 730:  Larry Givens and Sylvia Lillard both won $100 and Doug Lail $50.

Friendly Reminder for Scholarships

There are three (3) College Scholarships available for UAW Local 730 Members and their families.  It will be posted in the plant as soon as we receive them.    

1.      UAW Scholarship for Grand Valley State University.  Deadline:  February 1, 2006

2.      UAW CAP Terry Lint Memorial Scholarship for Grand Rapids Community College.

3.      UAW Local 730 Scholarship for Grand Rapids Community College. 

Remember Safety and Your Health

As we look forward to a new year, we must remember 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.  Remember to read your Life Steps booklet we receive every month.  They always have many good tips on how to get and stay healthy.

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 accomplished this year.  I would also like to wish everyone a happy holiday and a prosperous new year.

Barb Henderson, President

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