State of the Union June 28, 2012

June 28, 2012 online at www.uawlocal2250.com

We regret to inform you that Brother Phil Niewiadomski, 52, was killed Tuesday evening at the Parma, Ohio, stamping facility (UAW Local 1005). Preliminary reports indicate he was caught between 2 stamping dies, resulting in fatal injuries. This is the first fatality at a GM plant in 9 years. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. We also need to take from this tragic incident the lesson that safety is truly our overriding priority and we are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers. The safety reminders you hear like “take two” and “wait for the wave” are more than just phrases but words we need to live by while we are at work. Taking shortcuts to save time can literally cost you your life.

Congratulations to UAW Local 282 on reaching a tentative agreement with Lear Corp. last night. A ratification vote will take place soon.

Friday is the beginning of the pre-model change time period that lifts the restrictions on overtime. Per the National Agreement: “The provisions…that limit or restrict the right of the Corporation to work daily overtime or Saturdays or Sundays shall be ineffective a) beginning on a date 2 weeks preceding the announced buildout date and b) for the week in which it launches, i.e., after the buildout…and for 3 weeks thereafter or until the line reaches scheduled production, whichever is later.”

Attention skilled trades: A "heavy load of work" will be scheduled for the skilled trades on July 4th. Affected trades will be notified ASAP.

Reminder from the Women’s Committee: We are still in need of teams for the golf tournament this Saturday, June 30 at Country Lake golf course in Warrenton. We will accept walk-up teams the day of the tournament. It is a 3-person scramble with a 1:30 pm shotgun start. The cost is $70 per person/$210 per team. The first 3 places in 3 flights will be paid. There will also be a longest drive, closest to the pin and a skin game. Food and beer will be served after the tournament. The proceeds will go to “Turning Point” abused women’s shelter. Entry forms are available at the entrances.

General Motors landed six of the top 10 vehicles in Total Car Score′s Top 10 Best American Cars of 2012 list. Five of the GM vehicles ranked in the top six, and the Cadillac SRX was ranked ninth. Total Car Score, an automotive research and comparison Web site, built the list by compiling car ratings from nine automotive review and ratings sites, including MSN Autos, U.S. News & World Report and Consumer Guide.
Total Car Score
1 Cadillac CTS 86.49
2 Buick LaCrosse 85.01
3 Chevrolet Traverse 84.87
4 Ford Flex 84.44
5 GMC Acadia 84.18
6 Cadillac CTS-V 83.65
7 Chrysler 300 83.29
8 Ford Taurus SHO 83.22
9 Cadillac SRX 83.01
10 Chrysler 300 SRT-8 82.59

The UAW and other automotive and environmental stakeholders meet today in Washington at the White House. The event is an opportunity to examine the automotive industry's strong resurgence, and explore the role of innovation and advanced vehicles, as well as the economic impact on manufacturing in this country. "The Obama Administration has been an innovative champion for the automotive industry. President Obama's decision to save the domestic auto industry prevented an economic disaster. When others wanted us to fail, Obama cheered us on and gave us a lifeline and a path back to success," said UAW Vice President Cindy Estrada. "We are positioned for long-term success, including meeting the consumer demand for innovative, efficient vehicles. The revival of the auto industry in this country is translating into supplier jobs including emerging green energy expansion. The supplier sector will play a central role in meeting those commitments." Having the Obama Administration host the event further proves the president's continued commitment and support of better technology, better standards in fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions, thereby decreasing dependence on foreign oil. The UAW was a firm supporter of standards passed in 2011, improving light-duty vehicle efficiency to 40 mpg by 2020 could create up to 190,000 jobs in the United States. "Being a responsible union takes more than just bargaining for secure contracts with strong benefits and wages. It also means pioneering new jobs and technology that coincide with the changing times; being ahead of the curve instead of always playing catch up," said UAW President Bob King. "The UAW successfully bargained 20,000 direct manufacturing jobs through 2015 with the Detroit Three automakers during the 2011 auto talks. It's a proven fact that auto manufacturing creates more jobs than any other industry and because of these jobs, a total of 180,000 jobs will be created in communities across America that have been devastated by poor, partisan Republican economic policies. Part of this is owed to new technology production and collaborative efforts on the political, business, labor and environmental front in a democratic fashion. King also said, "The domestic automakers also committed nearly $25 billion in investment in plants and products through our 2011 collective bargaining agreements. This year all three of the companies have reported record-breaking profits. This is proof that collective bargaining and successful business can work."

Tom Brune
UAW/GM Communications Coordinator
Wentzville Assembly
636-327-2119