State of the Union December 3 2013

December 3, 2013 online at www.uawlocal2250.com

This Saturday, Dec. 7, is a big day at the Union Hall. First, from noon to 2 pm Santa Claus will be at the hall to meet with future members of the UAW. There will be hot dogs, popcorn and soda. Bring your children and grandchildren and don’t forget your cameras. Then the annual Christmas Celebration will be that evening. Doors open at 6:30 pm with dinner served at 7 pm. Snacks, beer and setups will be provided and there will be music by member Ken Wikoff from 7 pm to 11 pm. Make plans to share some fellowship with your Union brothers and sisters.

The Women’s Committee is selling raffle tickets to raise money for their many activities. First prize is a “Million Dollar Board” of lottery scratch-off tickets. Second prize is a $50 gas card and 3rd prize is a mystery basket. Tickets are $1 apiece or 6 for $5 and can be bought from any committee member. Drawing will be Saturday, Dec. 7 at the Christmas party at the Union Hall. Thanks for your support.

Three questions with UAW President Bob King:
Question: In Chattanooga, the UAW is making progress in talks with Volkswagen and its workers for a German-style works council. Can a German style works council really be an effective structure in the U.S.?
Answer: “I would say yes, it definitely can work … it is not that different than what we have bargained with the auto companies. Just look at all of the joint programs we have with management and leadership on quality and productivity and training. There are 13 or 14 areas of our agreement where we jointly run programs together.”

Q: Your approach with Nissan has been very different than at Volkswagen. You have enlisted community and global allies to put public pressure on Nissan. Do you believe that public pressure will lead to an organizing success?
A. “There has been a tremendous outpouring of support from all over the world … .I think the global pressure builds every day at Nissan to respect workers’ rights…I think that we will be successful.”

Q. As you get closer toward the end of your tenure, what do you hope your legacy will be as UAW president?
A. “You know, I ever really have thought about it in terms of legacy. I just thought about can we collectively move forward with the best possible wages, benefits and security for our membership. And I think we have been innovative and creative as a whole team.
We’ve won some significant victories organizing in the South where people say workers don’t want unions, and we’ve done gaming organizing and continued with higher organizing. As a result of the 2011 Big Three bargaining, the amount of income that will be generated for our membership is maybe greater than any contract we have negotiated in the past. . So I think we have moved the union forward in a number of areas, including organizing, political and bargaining.”

General Motors Co. dealers delivered 212,060 vehicles in the United States in November, up 14 percent versus a year ago and the highest November sales in six years. Retail sales were up 19 percent and fleet sales were down 3 percent. “November sales were strong at all four of our brands, and demand was robust for everything from cars to crossovers to the industry’s newest and best full-size pickups,” said Kurt McNeil, vice president, U.S. sales operations. “The sheer number of award winning new models we have helped us grow faster than the industry for the second month in a row.” GM’s product momentum will continue unabated. For example, the all-new 2014 Cadillac CTS, which is building availability, was recently named Motor Trend’s Car of the Year, an Automobile Magazine “All Star” and one of Car and Driver’s 10 Best cars. Cadillac will also launch an all-new Escalade and the ELR in early 2014. In addition, Chevrolet and GMC are launching all-new heavy-duty pickups and large SUVs in the first quarter. Chevrolet also unveiled the Colorado, its new, highly acclaimed midsize pickup, at the Los Angeles International Auto Show. The Colorado goes on sale in the fall of 2014.
November Sales Highlights (vs. 2012)
o Chevrolet sales were up 13 percent and retail deliveries were up 20 percent.
o Sales of Chevrolet cars increased 19 percent, with Malibu up 41 percent, Volt up 26 percent, Impala up 20 percent and Camaro up 14 percent. Retail deliveries of the Cruze were up 39 percent and Impala more than doubled.
o The Chevrolet Cruze, Equinox and Volt had their best November sales ever.
o Sales of the Chevrolet Tahoe were up 23 percent, the Traverse was up 21 percent and the Silverado was up 12 percent.
o GMC sales were up 20 percent, with the Sierra up 22 percent and the Acadia crossover up 108 percent, which keeps it on track for its best year ever.
o Small business sales were up 38 percent, including a 76-percent increase in pickup deliveries. Commercial fleet deliveries increased 18 percent.
o Van sales came in at 7311, up 4.1% over last November
o Buick deliveries increased 13 percent and the brand is on track for its best year since 2005. November was Buick’s 19th consecutive month of year-over-year retail sales growth.
o Cadillac sales increased 11 percent and retail sales have grown in each of the past 18 months, driven by the success of the new XTS and ATS.

“We feel good about the direction of the economy and our own momentum,” McNeil said. “The economy is creating jobs and household wealth. Energy costs are dropping and credit is available and affordable. All of this bodes well for future growth.”

Here is what some auto industry observers are saying about the Colorado:
o Mark Phelan (Detroit Free Press): “The Colorado looks terrific, and its crew cab four-door model should offer more passenger space than many midsize sedans. If GM pairs those factors with good fuel economy and an attractive price, it could be onto something.”
o Edmunds.com senior analyst Michelle Krebs: “It’s probably not a huge market, but Toyota’s done extremely well with the Tacoma. The Colorado and Canyon are an interesting play. They could do well for GM….The pricing will be key. People are willing to pay more for well-equipped small cars today than in the past. That may be true for trucks, too.”
o IHS automotive analyst Stephanie Brinley: “The average pickup on the road today is more than 11 years old. A lot of people who have been out of the market since the recession may be willing to consider a smaller pickup.”

Tom Brune, President