October 16, 2014 online at www.uawlocal2250.com

• The Bargaining Committee is accepting resolutions for upcoming national negotiations now through December 12. Forms are available from your committee person or at the Union Hall and can be turned back into same. All resolutions (except redundant ones) will be submitted to the International Union.

• Beginning today and running through Monday, Oct. 20, you can submit an entry for the flu shot lottery (form located on back). Please fill out the form entirely and drop it in one of the Suggestion boxes located at the entrances. The plan is to create a schedule from the entries and begin giving out flu shots as soon as possible. We have 450 shots available, so that number of entries will be drawn in the lottery.

• The Community Services Committee is holding a raffle to level the gifts for the annual Adopt-A-Child Program. Prizes are a $200 Ameristar Gift Card, a $100 Bear Creek golf club gift card and a $50 gas card. Tickets are $5 apiece or 3 for $10 and can be purchased from any committee member.

• Davis Vision will be the provider of vision benefits for retirees through the VEBA trust. According to a statement from Davis, retirees will have coverage that will include eye exams and eyewear. No other details were available.

• The Detroit News recently had a wide ranging interview with UAW President Dennis Williams. The following are excerpts from that interview:
o In preparation for national negotiations, “We're shaking it up a little bit. We're actually restructuring internally. We know we have a lot to do — but we don't want to put so much on our plate that we can't achieve nothing."
o Regarding negotiations on wages, "We have to be focused on bridging that gap (between tier 2 and traditional employees). The companies need to recognize the fact that the (veteran employees) haven't had a raise”….. At the same time, Williams says, the union has to be "mindful that we are in a global economy with real competition."
o Speaking about meetings with the CEOs of the Big 3, they haven't been a "deep dialogue," he says. Rather, he characterized them as sessions to get to know each other.
o Williams said a strike is not inevitable next year in contract negotiations, despite suggestions by some observers. "We don't want to have a confrontation unnecessarily. I just think there's too much at stake for any of us to pick a fight with one another," he said. "We have big issues — there's no doubt about it — but I think, realistically, companies have to know... our members have sacrificed. I think that new people coming in want a higher standard of living and I don't think that's unreasonable. We'll find out when we get to the table."
o About the upcoming option for Michigan UAW members’ ability to opt out of the Union at the end of the current agreement because of the state’s right to work status, "This is new to our members, this is new to the state of Michigan — so we'll deal with it, but it's not going to be a total focus of mine." He said that in other right-to-work states, the union has been successful in retaining the vast majority of its members. "I've always believed that if you do your job representing people, that people will be there to support you."
o On organizing efforts at foreign transplants, "We're not going to give up on organizing. In fact, actually we have more organizing going on right now than we've had for a long time — but we're going to approach it in a different way.” Williams cited parts companies, the gaming industry and higher education as potential areas for new members. "The UAW has a great opportunity to grow," he said.

Official Flu Shot Lottery Entry Form
Flu shots are for regular active hourly and salaried employees. Please fill out the form below and place it in one of the Suggestions boxes located at the entrances no later than Oct. 20. Please enter only once. Lottery winners will be notified by their department advisors/supervisors. Shots will be given in the Medical Department.
PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY

NAME________________________________________________________________
DEPARTMENT NAME/NUMBER_________________________________________
GMIN_________________________________________________________________
SHIFT ________________________________________________________________
PLEASE CHECK ONE: Salaried Employee ( ) OR Hourly Employee ( )

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