Can you believe with all the problems in this country right now, (the loss of jobs, lack of health care, gas prices higher than ever before, and Medicare prescription drug problems,) that the House and Senate have decided one of the most important pieces of legislation they need to take care of is the Right to Work (For Less) legislation in Michigan.  The bill numbers are H.B. 5771 and H.B. 5772.

·        The average annual wage in Michigan is $39,443, compared to Right to Work states at $31,832. 

·        The percent of people without health care in Michigan is 11.6% compared to Right to Work states at 15.4%. 

I would like to see:

·        More of Michigan workers with higher wages - not less. 

·        More people with health insurance, not less, and

·        Lower gas prices – not lower wages! 

Please e-mail or call your legislator and tell them we want them to take care of the issues already on the table.  Give us lower gas prices, not lower wages!  Be sure to read your Worker to Worker for more on this and other important information. 

I would like to thank our International for all their hard work on negotiations giving our members so many different options. 

To those of our members leaving, we will truly miss you, and please don’t forget that our retirees are a very active group and will welcome you with open arms.

For those of you taking the $140,000, best of luck to you and please always keep the UAW in your heart. 

 Please mark your calendars for the following upcoming events and important deadlines.

April 19, 20 (5 am Wed. to 5 am Thurs.)

Election for:

·        District and Alternate Committeepersons

·        Zone A and Zone B Committeepersons

·        4 Constitution Convention Delegates

·        6 CAP Delegates and Alternates

·        3^rd Shift Rep for Executive Board

April 25 (Tuesday)

1.      Career Day

2.      R1D Area Conference

May 3 (Wednesday) 8:30 a.m.

Nominations for Shop Committee

May 10 (Wednesday) 3:30 p.m.

Nominations close for Shop Committee

May 16 (Tuesday) 7 a.m. thru 1 pm Thurs.

Union Hall Bid Sale

May 19 (Friday) 5 to 9 a.m. and 1 to 2:30

Veterans Breakfast at Union Hall

May 24-25 (5 am Wed. to 5 am Thurs.)

Election for Shop Committee & Chairperson

June 17 (Saturday) 12 noon to 5 p.m.

Local 730 Picnic at Douglas Walker Park

Barb Henderson, President