State of the Union October 13, 2011

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

•    There will be a Women’s Committee, Veterans Committee and CAP Committee meeting today after first shift at the Union Hall.
•    From the Chaplaincy Committee: “Happy Sweetest Day!”
•    Tomorrow is the “Occupy St. Louis Rally”, which will be held at Kiener Plaza (7thand Market). UAW Region 5 wants you to “join your Union Brothers and Sisters to Rally for the 99%, the working class!” Sign in is at 3 pm, with the rally starting at 3:30 pm and the walk beginning at 4 pm. Remember to wear your UAW shirts.
•    From Automotive News: GM said yesterday that it will launch an all-new TrailBlazer mid-sized SUV in Thailand early next year, with plans to roll it out elsewhere in Southeast Asia, in the Middle East and in South America. It will be unveiled at the Dubai International Motor Show, Nov. 10-14. GM officials wouldn't say whether there are plans to sell the TrailBlazer in the United States. The new vehicle will be built on GM's new rear-drive, body-on-frame platform for mid-sized trucks, the same underpinnings as the next-generation Chevy Colorado pickup that was launched last week in Thailand. The new TrailBlazer "probably wouldn't have a natural spot" in Chevy's U.S. lineup, said Jim Hall, principal of automotive consulting firm 2953 Analytics Inc. in suburban Detroit. It would be sandwiched between the Chevy Equinox and Traverse crossovers. That could change, Hall said, if the Equinox shrinks a bit in size when GM remodels the popular crossover, which isn't expected until at least 2015. "I'd never say never," Hall said about the prospect of GM selling the new TrailBlazer in the United States. "There's always the chance that it could find a sweet spot in the market." In a statement, GM said the new TrailBlazer "will combine the hauling and towing capability of an SUV with the ride comfort and efficiency of a crossover."
•    Here are some of the terms of the Chrysler tentative agreement: $3500 signing bonus (2 installments), $500 annual performance bonus, $500 annual quality bonus, up to $1000 annual upside bonus based on achieving world class manufacturing metrics, $300 annual perfect attendance bonus, unlimited office visits at $25 copay, profit sharing based on 85 percent of Chrysler Global Modified Operating Profits before interest and special payments (formula same as GM - $1 billion profits = $1000 payout).
•    Voting continues on the Ford tentative agreement, with the Sterling Heights axle plant (around 2200 workers) voting 66% yes while the Chicago assembly plant (around 2300 workers) voted 77% no. At Sandusky (630 workers) 57% voted yes. The UAW Ford department posted this on their facebook page: "Vice President Settles has advised the membership during informational meetings that if the agreement is not ratified, he will ask the International Executive Board to authorize a strike. If so, he will then give 72-hour notice to the company that we intend to strike."
Flu Shots

We have received flu shots for distribution to regular active hourly and salaried GM Wentzville employees. There are limited quantities available so if you are interested in receiving a flu shot please complete the attached form and place it in the box located in the cafeteria from Thursday, October 13, 2011 to Tuesday October 18, 2011. Only one form per employee will be allowed. Individuals who submit more than one form will not be considered. The deadline to submit your form will be October 18, 2011. Selected participants will be notified. When flu shots are available, they will be administered to those employees selected during breaks and lunch periods. If additional supplies become available we will select additional employees from the original submission.