March 24, 2011 online at www.uawlocal2250.com
•From Chairman Mike Bullock at the Bargaining Convention in Detroit: There are more than 1000 delegates, alternates, and guests at the convention representing 256 Locals throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. They represent not only auto workers, but gaming, higher education, ag-imp workers, office and clerical, nurses and the list goes on. The purpose of this convention is to discuss issues that cross all the industries and sectors and gives us a unified focus for how the UAW negotiates contracts over the next four years. Vice President Joe Ashton spoke as to the direction of the GM negotiations this fall. "We need to achieve respect, a decent agreement and ensure a decent way of life". The UAW's approach to bargaining over wages and salaries is guided by fundamental principles of justice. In difficult times we bargain to ensure a shared sacrifice. In times of growth, we bargain for a fair share of the upside. At all times we seek to lift all workers into the middle class. VP Ashton predicted that GM will bring about 2000 laid off workers back to plants by September. "We will have full employment this September for the first time in a long time," he said. That means that when the UAW enters contract talks with GM this fall most of its members will be working and few plants in jeopardy.
•UAW-GM LifeSteps will be offering one-on-one sessions with a personal exercise coach next week on March 29, 30 and 31. Included will be advice on individual fitness goals, a personal exercise plan, exercise modification and stretches. Sign-ups are encouraged but walk-ins are welcome. The sessions will be held in the fitness center from 10:30 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 5:30 pm and will last 10 to 15 minutes. Sign-up sheets are in the cafeteria at the bulletin board.
•From the Women’s Committee: You are invited to the annual Easter Egg Hunt at the Union Hall Saturday, April 9. Doors will open at 10:30 am and the hunt will begin promptly at 12 noon sharp. There will be only one Easter Egg hunt. Bring the children/grandchildren and meet the Easter Bunny. There will also be a balloon artist, face painting, clowns and a craft table. Hot dogs and soda will be provided.
•Earthquake update: As of yesterday, Hamtramck (Chevy Volt) is no longer working daily overtime due to parts shortages. GM Europe has also reduced production at Opel plants in Eisenach, Germany and Zaragos, Spain (both Opel Corsa) due to parts shortages. The Wall Street Journal reports that one part coming under increased scrutiny goes into mass airflow sensors. Made by Hitachi Automotive Systems, a unit of Hitachi Ltd., at a plant north of Tokyo that was damaged by the quake and remains shut down, the electronic part is used by about a dozen auto makers. Hitachi, which has a 60% share of the world's market for airflow sensors, said it hopes to resume operations by Saturday, but isn't sure how much of its capacity will be restored by then. The area is suffering from water and power shortages. The Journal also reports thatin France, Peugeot-Citroën was scheduled to reduce production at most of its European plants from Wednesday due to shortages of the airflow sensor. The reductions are between 40% and 70%. In the meantime, Toyota issued a memo yesterday regarding North American production that read in part: “Today, we communicated to team members, associates and dealers here that some production interruptions in North America are likely. It's too early to predict location or duration.” Mike Goss, spokesman for Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America Inc. in Erlanger, Ky., said that the memo was meant only to alert Toyota's employees that work stoppages are now likely in the current situation – not that any are planned. He said Toyota doesn't know when they might occur, at which plant or for how long. "We continue to assess suppliers, and we continue to run normally without overtime," he said. On some Toyota models built in North America, Japan-sourced parts can represent 10 to 15 percent of all content, Goss said, adding that the automaker is particularly concerned about supplies of electronic components and rubber. Toyota has already eliminated overtime throughout its North American manufacturing operations to preserve parts stockpiles. Says Michael Robinet, a senior analyst with market research firm IHS Automotive, "We've only seen the tip of the iceberg. We expect the greatest impact will be felt from the middle to the third week of April. It will be difficult for the world's vehicle manufacturers to escape the impacts by mid-April.”
•From the Detroit News: A dispute between an auto hauler and the automakers whose cars and trucks it delivers spread Wednesday. Chrysler Group LLC announced it is suing Georgia-based Allied Holdings Ltd. in Canada to force the hauler to return 700 new vehicles being held at Allied facilities in Windsor, Ontario. U.S. District Judge Marianne O. Battani set a March 29 hearing in federal court on GM's case. She wants to know why GM shouldn't be given immediate possession of the 1,704 vehicles. GM believes its vehicles are being held in Dearborn and Fort Wayne, Ind., according to the lawsuit.
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