State of the Union March 11, 2011

March 11, 2011 online at www.uawlocal2250.com


From Chairman Mike Bullock: There are numerous Par. 63b postings for vacation relief. They are for Stamping, Body, Paint, DVT, Quality and Material. If you have a transfer on file to one of these departments and you do not want to move, you have until the end of shift on Tuesday March 15 to remove your application. Any questions, ask your committeeman.

Reminder: This weekend daylight savings time begins. Remember to set your clocks forward one hour Sunday morning.

There have been some questions about 2012 pilot builds. We are tentatively scheduled to build non-saleable 2012 models the last two weeks of April as well as two 2013 IVER jobs the third week of April. Model change is tentatively scheduled for the second week of August.

From MSNBC: Honda recalled more than 35,000 Civic hybrids in the United States on Monday to fix a problem with the electrical system that could cause the headlights to turn off or the engine to stall. Separately, Toyota recalled about 22,000 SUVs and trucks to address faulty tire pressure monitoring systems and Chrysler recalled about 20,000 Jeep Wranglers over steering issues. Honda Motor Co. told the government its recall would cover 2006-2007 model year Civic hybrids. The company said the voltage converter that relays power from the motor assist system to the vehicle's electrical components could fail. Honda has received seven reports of stalling engines and 82 warranty claims connected to the problem. Dealers will replace the voltage converter at no charge. Toyota Motor Corp.'s recall includes some versions of the 2008-2011 Toyota FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Tacoma and Tundra. The systems that monitor the vehicles' tire pressure did not comply with federal safety standards. Toyota said the systems didn't illuminate on the dashboard at the minimum activation pressure and needed to be recalibrated.

Here are just a couple of the quotes regarding Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s anti-union attacks: "We should have invited him here today to receive the Mobilizer of the Year award!" - AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka; and "He has sparked the most energized labor movement in decades. He's recruited many people who are angry at what they view as a power grab." – U.C. Berkeley Labor professor Harley Shaiken.