Reminder: Thursday, March 28 is a VR blackout day and the vacation pay qualifying day. Monday, April 1 is a VR blackout day.
The International Union UAW is asking us to wear red tomorrow to symbolize our unity against right-to-work laws that will be implemented in Michigan, beginning tomorrow. As you know, there is an effort underway in Missouri to follow in Michigan’s footsteps. If you have not yet contacted your state representatives, you can call 1-888-907-9711 and express your opposition to right-to-work.
From the Detroit Free Press: The UAW is closer than it has been in decades to organizing a foreign-based assembly plant, thanks to support from the largest auto union in Germany, which is urging workers at Volkswagen's Chattanooga, Tenn., factory that the UAW could improve their work life. IG Metall President Berthold Huber sent a letter to the VW Tennessee workers urging them to vote for UAW representation. Volkswagen's board member in charge of human resources, Horst Neumann, also told reporters in Europe this month that the automaker is in discussions with the UAW on the matter.
These developments signal that the UAW has a serious shot at winning Volkswagen's backing in its bid to convince workers to join the union. Cornell University professor Lowell Turner, who tracks labor relations, said the UAW's organizing effort in Chattanooga represents its "best shot so far" outside of the Detroit Three. "I wouldn't be surprised at all if there's a breakthrough on this in the coming weeks and months," Turner said. "Management is saying, 'If it's done in an innovative way, we're not going to fight the union.' " Volkswagen did not respond to a request for comment. There may be some differences in the way the UAW structures its presence in the Tennessee plant. Both management and IG Metall are discussing the formation of a works council at the Chattanooga plant, similar to the way IG Metall operates in Germany. Under this setup, the UAW would first have to convince Chattanooga workers to join the union, which would gain the power to negotiate labor contracts covering wages and working conditions, Turner said. If successful, the parties could establish a separate works council, with members elected by union members and management, to negotiate issues not covered in the contract. "The Germans call it a dual system of representation," Turner said. "It's missing in this country. We don't really have a parallel for it."
From the New York Times:
Nissan is recalling all the NV commercial vans it built for the last two years because of a problem with the automatic transmission shifter, according to a report from the automaker posted on the Web site of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That covers almost 18,900 2012-13 vans starting with their introduction in December 2010 through Jan. 4 this year. The NVs marked a challenge from Asia in the commercial-van market. That segment had long been dominated by Ford’s E-Series and the Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana twins. The NVs are produced at Nissan’s assembly plant in Canton, Miss. Nissan told the safety agency that the gear selector plate lock clip was not installed correctly and might slip out of position. In that case the transmission may be in a gear other than the one indicated. For example, it would also be possible, Nissan said, for the driver to think the vehicle was in “Park” when it was in a gear that could allow it to roll away. Nissan said it learned of the problem in December 2012, investigated and found that other NV models waiting to be shipped to dealers had the same problem. The automaker in January made changes at the assembly plant to make sure the clips were properly installed. It also began investigating what might happen because of the faulty installation. It concluded this month that a recall was needed.
From Businessweek: Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Co.,
Gaining ground over Japanese automakers with their most stylish sedans and small cars since the 1970s, are topping Toyota Motor Corp. in customer loyalty, researcher Experian Automotive said. Of Ford vehicle owners who returned to buy another auto in the fourth quarter, 47.9 percent bought a Ford or Lincoln, Dublin-based Experian said today in a report. GM's loyalty rate was 47.7 percent, followed by Toyota at 46.9 percent. After decades of losing car buyers to Japanese automakers such as Toyota and Honda Motor Co., Ford, GM and Chrysler Group LLC are luring back customers with models such as the Fusion sedan. The Detroit automakers' share of the U.S. small and mid- size car market will grow to 33 percent next year, from 26 percent in 2009, according to researcher LMC Automotive. This Easter shopping list of Union made ideas are brought to you by the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers and United Food and Commercial Workers:
- Cadbury Eggs
- Jelly Bellies
- Laffy Taffy
- Necco Wafers
- Mike and Ikes
- Thin Mints
- Tootsie Rolls
- Peeps (BCTGM)
- Ghirardelli chocolates (BCTGM)
And don't forget to pick up a union-prepared Easter ham or lamb:
- Black Forest Ham
- Butterball Ham
- Chiappetti Lamb
- Cook's Ham
- Farmland Old Fashioned Pit Ham
- Farmland Original Pit Ham
- Fischer Meats Lamb
- Hormel Honey Roasted Ham
- Tyson Ham
UAW/GM Communications Coordinator
Wentzville Assembly
636-327-2119
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