State of the Union January 13, 2011

Jan. 13, 2011 online at www.uawlocal2250.com

From Chairman Mike Bullock: As we enjoy this holiday weekend, let’s reflect on the life and words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. As many of you know, he was in Memphis to support striking sanitation workers, members of AFSCME Local 1733, when he was assassinated on April 4, 1968. Dr. King gave many memorable sermons and speeches. This is a quote from an early sermon he gave: “All I'm saying is simply this, that all life is interrelated, that somehow we're caught in an inescapable network of mutuality tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly.” And this is from his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, which seems especially relevant today given the recent events in Tuscon: “We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force.”

Reminder: The Dr. Martin Luther King Scholarship Awards Ceremony will be held Saturday, Jan. 15 at 1 pm here at the plant in the Tour Holding room. All winners and parents should arrive between 12:30 and 12:45 pm for check in and photo/video preparation.

The Vehicle Advocate Program (VAP or overnight drive) will be kicking off next week with entry forms being made available in the plant OnLine newsletter, which will be distributed and available at the entrances. You will need to fill out the form and drop it in the boxes in the cafeteria. The deadline to submit entry forms will be Friday, Jan. 28 and the drawing will be Monday, Jan. 31. This year the winners will have the vehicle for two nights to give you more time with the vehicle and create more opportunities to promote the vehicle by showing it to family, friends and neighbors. Also, there will be a raffle for the vehicles for the long weekend of Feb. 25 to support this year’s Make-A-Wish dream. Ticket will be $5 or 3 for $10 and can be purchased from suggestions, benefits, personnel, PMN or WIM officers or anyone on the vehicle advocate committee.

Part One of UAW President Bob King’s speech yesterday at the Automotive News World Congress seminar in Detroit: What is the Role of the UAW in a Global Economy?
Fundamental changes in the global economy demand fundamental change in the labor movement. The UAW of the 21st century remains dedicated to the core mission of the labor movement – to create, support and sustain a strong middle class with dignity and respect for every person who works hard and plays by the rules. History clearly demonstrates that democracy cannot survive without a strong middle class, and a strong middle class is built and maintained through the institution of collective bargaining and strong unions. We understand that globalization has radically altered the competitive environment facing the auto sector. Indeed, we have paid the price for failing to learn this lesson quickly enough. The UAW has learned from the past and has embraced dramatic and radical change. To achieve our mission in this new environment, the UAW of the 21st century has a dual responsibility. One responsibility is to partner with our UAW employers to create growth, strength, competitiveness, and profitability. Our other responsibility is to advocate for a Fair Deal for all workers. A Fair Deal means fair middle class sustaining wages, benefits and pensions. A Fair Deal means a regular employee status vs. temporary status. A Fair Deal means retirement with dignity. A Fair Deal means sharing in the good times as well as sacrificing in the bad times. A Fair Deal means safe neighborhoods and good schools for our kids through fair taxes on good wages and profits. And we know that without the financial success of our employers, there is no economic foundation for a middle class and a Fair Deal. We also know that without a real, enforceable right to organize and collective bargaining, unfettered corporate power will undermine responsible companies and destroy the middle class and any chance for a Fair Deal for all Americans.

The success of the collaboration between the UAW and the unionized automakers demonstrates beyond any doubt the authenticity and intensity of the union’s commitment to our corporate partners. We have shown that cooperation, creative problem solving, mutual respect and common goals can produce extraordinary victories.

Success in a global economy requires innovation. The UAW and our membership celebrate innovation and creativity. Success in a global economy requires flexibility. The UAW and our membership embrace flexibility and openness. Success in a global economy requires producing the highest quality products. The UAW and our membership make quality our top priority and we champion the needs of consumers.
The results are in on the UAW’s positive impact working with our UAW-represented employers:
•    We are making the highest quality vehicles.
•    We have the most productive plants.
•    We have best-in-industry attendance by our members.
•    We have extremely high commitment and dedication by UAW members on the shop floor to maintaining the highest quality, the highest productivity and delivering the best product at the best value to consumers.