Thursday, May 29, 2014
State of the Union May 28 2014
May 28, 2014 online at www.uawlocal2250.com
• From Chairman Mike Bullock: Good news – after many discussions with management it was finally agreed that the employee referral process will be open now through Tuesday, June 10. While the current need is for temporary positions, as you know those jobs can become permanent. If you don't intend to refer someone talk to your coworkers as they may have more than one person wanting a referral. There will be a handout explaining the process, which must be done online at mySocrates (https://mygm.gm.com). Also, the mandatory Plant Vacation Shutdown week of June 2-6 WILL counts towards an employee’s 90 days to attain seniority. It will also count towards the 52 weeks for a wage increase.
• From the Women’s Committee: The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure will be held June 14, in St. Louis. Our team name is UAW Local 2250. You can sign up on line or there are registration forms at the doors. We are going to have a T shirt that can be purchased with or without signing up for the race. If signed up with the race it will be $10, or just the UAW shirt will be $20. Last day to sign up on team online is May 28. You can fill out paper form and it has to be turned in to a Women’s Committee Member by May 29 along with money for shirts. The committee will pick up shirts to distribute to walkers, runners. Forms can be dropped in the Suggestions boxes.
Also, our Habitat for Humanity work day is June 21. There are volunteer forms that have to be filled out to work. Forms are at the doors. There will be two shifts that you can choose to work, 8am to noon or noon to 4pm. Please indicate on the form which time frame you would like to work and a contact number. Give you completed form to a Women’s Committee member of drop it in the Suggestion box. The address for the build is 112 Clinton Court at the Enclaves Subdivision. Contact a member of the Women’s Committee for more information.
• From the Benefits Department: All new hire permanent employees will receive health care on their 91st day. However, you must call Fidelity at 1-800-489-4646 within 30 days of receiving health care so there is no lapse in coverage and your Bank of America card is up to date. If you have questions see your benefits rep.
• From the Wall Street Journal: The all-new Ford Transit makes its North American debut with more durable paint, thanks to an industry-first paint technology now in use at Kansas City Assembly Plant. The Transit vehicles built in Kansas City are the first to use the new two-wet monocoat paint process developed by Ford and its paint suppliers. The technology results in more durable paint, uses less energy and water, and reduces carbon dioxide and particulate emissions compared with conventional paint processes. (continued on back)
• Cont’d: The two-wet monocoat process uses a primer coat that requires only a few minutes of open-air drying time before the color coat is applied. The color coat is formulated with the same appearance and protection properties of the clear coat, which eliminates the need for a separate clear coat. The painted body is fully cured in an enamel oven after the color coat is applied. The total process removes one paint application step and one oven drying step when compared to conventional paint processes. The new paint procedure is being used for white-colored vehicles, which account for 80 percent of Ford Transit production at Kansas City Assembly Plant. As each color must be developed uniquely for the two-wet monocoat process, other colors will be considered based on demand. A conventional three-wet process -- primer, base coat, clear coat -- remains in use for metallic-colored vehicles.
• From the Detroit News: Some automakers may look to shuffle where they build small cars to narrow the difference in manufacturing cost between subcompacts and compacts. Most compact cars for the U.S. market are built on American soil. Most of the smaller, subcompact cars are built in countries like Mexico where costs are cheaper. Eric Ibara, an analyst at Kelley Blue Book, has a prediction about U.S.-built compacts: “I think there will be increasing price pressures which may cause manufacturers to move production elsewhere. It’s a problem that the subcompacts can undercut price of the compacts, so the manufacturers need to be careful with the pricing.” The difference in size between a subcompact and a compact is less significant than the difference between and a compact and a mid-size. So is the price difference, which is then magnified because of the higher incentives automakers can offer on the subcompacts. In Mexico, hourly manufacturing costs total about $6.50, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In the U.S, the rate is more than five times higher, at about $35.50. “Compacts will continue to move up in price out of necessity,” Ibara said. “The migration upwards is just never-ending, but the manufacturers have to be careful with pricing and contenting to avoid cannibalization.”
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
State of the Union May 28 2014
May 28, 2014 online at www.uawlocal2250.com
• From Chairman Mike Bullock: Good news – after many discussions with management it was finally agreed that the employee referral process will be open now through Tuesday, June 10. While the current need is for temporary positions, as you know those jobs can become permanent. If you don't intend to refer someone talk to your coworkers as they may have more than one person wanting a referral. There will be a handout explaining the process, which must be done online at mySocrates (https://mygm.gm.com). Also, the mandatory Plant Vacation Shutdown week of June 2-6 WILL counts towards an employee’s 90 days to attain seniority. It will also count towards the 52 weeks for a wage increase.
• From the Women’s Committee: The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure will be held June 14, in St. Louis. Our team name is UAW Local 2250. You can sign up on line or there are registration forms at the doors. We are going to have a T shirt that can be purchased with or without signing up for the race. If signed up with the race it will be $10, or just the UAW shirt will be $20. Last day to sign up on team online is May 28. You can fill out paper form and it has to be turned in to a Women’s Committee Member by May 29 along with money for shirts. The committee will pick up shirts to distribute to walkers, runners. Forms can be dropped in the Suggestions boxes.
Also, our Habitat for Humanity work day is June 21. There are volunteer forms that have to be filled out to work. Forms are at the doors. There will be two shifts that you can choose to work, 8am to noon or noon to 4pm. Please indicate on the form which time frame you would like to work and a contact number. Give you completed form to a Women’s Committee member of drop it in the Suggestion box. The address for the build is 112 Clinton Court at the Enclaves Subdivision. Contact a member of the Women’s Committee for more information.
• From the Benefits Department: All new hire permanent employees will receive health care on their 91st day. However, you must call Fidelity at 1-800-489-4646 within 30 days of receiving health care so there is no lapse in coverage and your Bank of America card is up to date. If you have questions see your benefits rep.
• From the Wall Street Journal: The all-new Ford Transit makes its North American debut with more durable paint, thanks to an industry-first paint technology now in use at Kansas City Assembly Plant. The Transit vehicles built in Kansas City are the first to use the new two-wet monocoat paint process developed by Ford and its paint suppliers. The technology results in more durable paint, uses less energy and water, and reduces carbon dioxide and particulate emissions compared with conventional paint processes.
• The two-wet monocoat process uses a primer coat that requires only a few minutes of open-air drying time before the color coat is applied. The color coat is formulated with the same appearance and protection properties of the clear coat, which eliminates the need for a separate clear coat. The painted body is fully cured in an enamel oven after the color coat is applied. The total process removes one paint application step and one oven drying step when compared to conventional paint processes. The new paint procedure is being used for white-colored vehicles, which account for 80 percent of Ford Transit production at Kansas City Assembly Plant. As each color must be developed uniquely for the two-wet monocoat process, other colors will be considered based on demand. A conventional three-wet process -- primer, base coat, clear coat -- remains in use for metallic-colored vehicles.
• From the Detroit News: Some automakers may look to shuffle where they build small cars to narrow the difference in manufacturing cost between subcompacts and compacts. Most compact cars for the U.S. market are built on American soil. Most of the smaller, subcompact cars are built in countries like Mexico where costs are cheaper. Eric Ibara, an analyst at Kelley Blue Book, has a prediction about U.S.-built compacts: “I think there will be increasing price pressures which may cause manufacturers to move production elsewhere. It’s a problem that the subcompacts can undercut price of the compacts, so the manufacturers need to be careful with the pricing.” The difference in size between a subcompact and a compact is less significant than the difference between and a compact and a mid-size. So is the price difference, which is then magnified because of the higher incentives automakers can offer on the subcompacts. In Mexico, hourly manufacturing costs total about $6.50, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In the U.S, the rate is more than five times higher, at about $35.50. “Compacts will continue to move up in price out of necessity,” Ibara said. “The migration upwards is just never-ending, but the manufacturers have to be careful with pricing and contenting to avoid cannibalization.”
• From Chairman Mike Bullock: Good news – after many discussions with management it was finally agreed that the employee referral process will be open now through Tuesday, June 10. While the current need is for temporary positions, as you know those jobs can become permanent. If you don't intend to refer someone talk to your coworkers as they may have more than one person wanting a referral. There will be a handout explaining the process, which must be done online at mySocrates (https://mygm.gm.com). Also, the mandatory Plant Vacation Shutdown week of June 2-6 WILL counts towards an employee’s 90 days to attain seniority. It will also count towards the 52 weeks for a wage increase.
• From the Women’s Committee: The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure will be held June 14, in St. Louis. Our team name is UAW Local 2250. You can sign up on line or there are registration forms at the doors. We are going to have a T shirt that can be purchased with or without signing up for the race. If signed up with the race it will be $10, or just the UAW shirt will be $20. Last day to sign up on team online is May 28. You can fill out paper form and it has to be turned in to a Women’s Committee Member by May 29 along with money for shirts. The committee will pick up shirts to distribute to walkers, runners. Forms can be dropped in the Suggestions boxes.
Also, our Habitat for Humanity work day is June 21. There are volunteer forms that have to be filled out to work. Forms are at the doors. There will be two shifts that you can choose to work, 8am to noon or noon to 4pm. Please indicate on the form which time frame you would like to work and a contact number. Give you completed form to a Women’s Committee member of drop it in the Suggestion box. The address for the build is 112 Clinton Court at the Enclaves Subdivision. Contact a member of the Women’s Committee for more information.
• From the Benefits Department: All new hire permanent employees will receive health care on their 91st day. However, you must call Fidelity at 1-800-489-4646 within 30 days of receiving health care so there is no lapse in coverage and your Bank of America card is up to date. If you have questions see your benefits rep.
• From the Wall Street Journal: The all-new Ford Transit makes its North American debut with more durable paint, thanks to an industry-first paint technology now in use at Kansas City Assembly Plant. The Transit vehicles built in Kansas City are the first to use the new two-wet monocoat paint process developed by Ford and its paint suppliers. The technology results in more durable paint, uses less energy and water, and reduces carbon dioxide and particulate emissions compared with conventional paint processes.
• The two-wet monocoat process uses a primer coat that requires only a few minutes of open-air drying time before the color coat is applied. The color coat is formulated with the same appearance and protection properties of the clear coat, which eliminates the need for a separate clear coat. The painted body is fully cured in an enamel oven after the color coat is applied. The total process removes one paint application step and one oven drying step when compared to conventional paint processes. The new paint procedure is being used for white-colored vehicles, which account for 80 percent of Ford Transit production at Kansas City Assembly Plant. As each color must be developed uniquely for the two-wet monocoat process, other colors will be considered based on demand. A conventional three-wet process -- primer, base coat, clear coat -- remains in use for metallic-colored vehicles.
• From the Detroit News: Some automakers may look to shuffle where they build small cars to narrow the difference in manufacturing cost between subcompacts and compacts. Most compact cars for the U.S. market are built on American soil. Most of the smaller, subcompact cars are built in countries like Mexico where costs are cheaper. Eric Ibara, an analyst at Kelley Blue Book, has a prediction about U.S.-built compacts: “I think there will be increasing price pressures which may cause manufacturers to move production elsewhere. It’s a problem that the subcompacts can undercut price of the compacts, so the manufacturers need to be careful with the pricing.” The difference in size between a subcompact and a compact is less significant than the difference between and a compact and a mid-size. So is the price difference, which is then magnified because of the higher incentives automakers can offer on the subcompacts. In Mexico, hourly manufacturing costs total about $6.50, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In the U.S, the rate is more than five times higher, at about $35.50. “Compacts will continue to move up in price out of necessity,” Ibara said. “The migration upwards is just never-ending, but the manufacturers have to be careful with pricing and contenting to avoid cannibalization.”
• From Chairman Mike Bullock: Good news – after many discussions with management it was finally agreed that the employee referral process will be open now through Tuesday, June 10. While the current need is for temporary positions, as you know those jobs can become permanent. If you don't intend to refer someone talk to your coworkers as they may have more than one person wanting a referral. There will be a handout explaining the process, which must be done online at mySocrates (https://mygm.gm.com). Also, the mandatory Plant Vacation Shutdown week of June 2-6 WILL counts towards an employee’s 90 days to attain seniority. It will also count towards the 52 weeks for a wage increase.
• From the Women’s Committee: The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure will be held June 14, in St. Louis. Our team name is UAW Local 2250. You can sign up on line or there are registration forms at the doors. We are going to have a T shirt that can be purchased with or without signing up for the race. If signed up with the race it will be $10, or just the UAW shirt will be $20. Last day to sign up on team online is May 28. You can fill out paper form and it has to be turned in to a Women’s Committee Member by May 29 along with money for shirts. The committee will pick up shirts to distribute to walkers, runners. Forms can be dropped in the Suggestions boxes.
Also, our Habitat for Humanity work day is June 21. There are volunteer forms that have to be filled out to work. Forms are at the doors. There will be two shifts that you can choose to work, 8am to noon or noon to 4pm. Please indicate on the form which time frame you would like to work and a contact number. Give you completed form to a Women’s Committee member of drop it in the Suggestion box. The address for the build is 112 Clinton Court at the Enclaves Subdivision. Contact a member of the Women’s Committee for more information.
• From the Benefits Department: All new hire permanent employees will receive health care on their 91st day. However, you must call Fidelity at 1-800-489-4646 within 30 days of receiving health care so there is no lapse in coverage and your Bank of America card is up to date. If you have questions see your benefits rep.
• From the Wall Street Journal: The all-new Ford Transit makes its North American debut with more durable paint, thanks to an industry-first paint technology now in use at Kansas City Assembly Plant. The Transit vehicles built in Kansas City are the first to use the new two-wet monocoat paint process developed by Ford and its paint suppliers. The technology results in more durable paint, uses less energy and water, and reduces carbon dioxide and particulate emissions compared with conventional paint processes.
• The two-wet monocoat process uses a primer coat that requires only a few minutes of open-air drying time before the color coat is applied. The color coat is formulated with the same appearance and protection properties of the clear coat, which eliminates the need for a separate clear coat. The painted body is fully cured in an enamel oven after the color coat is applied. The total process removes one paint application step and one oven drying step when compared to conventional paint processes. The new paint procedure is being used for white-colored vehicles, which account for 80 percent of Ford Transit production at Kansas City Assembly Plant. As each color must be developed uniquely for the two-wet monocoat process, other colors will be considered based on demand. A conventional three-wet process -- primer, base coat, clear coat -- remains in use for metallic-colored vehicles.
• From the Detroit News: Some automakers may look to shuffle where they build small cars to narrow the difference in manufacturing cost between subcompacts and compacts. Most compact cars for the U.S. market are built on American soil. Most of the smaller, subcompact cars are built in countries like Mexico where costs are cheaper. Eric Ibara, an analyst at Kelley Blue Book, has a prediction about U.S.-built compacts: “I think there will be increasing price pressures which may cause manufacturers to move production elsewhere. It’s a problem that the subcompacts can undercut price of the compacts, so the manufacturers need to be careful with the pricing.” The difference in size between a subcompact and a compact is less significant than the difference between and a compact and a mid-size. So is the price difference, which is then magnified because of the higher incentives automakers can offer on the subcompacts. In Mexico, hourly manufacturing costs total about $6.50, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In the U.S, the rate is more than five times higher, at about $35.50. “Compacts will continue to move up in price out of necessity,” Ibara said. “The migration upwards is just never-ending, but the manufacturers have to be careful with pricing and contenting to avoid cannibalization.”
• From Chairman Mike Bullock: Good news – after many discussions with management it was finally agreed that the employee referral process will be open now through Tuesday, June 10. While the current need is for temporary positions, as you know those jobs can become permanent. If you don't intend to refer someone talk to your coworkers as they may have more than one person wanting a referral. There will be a handout explaining the process, which must be done online at mySocrates (https://mygm.gm.com). Also, the mandatory Plant Vacation Shutdown week of June 2-6 WILL counts towards an employee’s 90 days to attain seniority. It will also count towards the 52 weeks for a wage increase.
• From the Women’s Committee: The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure will be held June 14, in St. Louis. Our team name is UAW Local 2250. You can sign up on line or there are registration forms at the doors. We are going to have a T shirt that can be purchased with or without signing up for the race. If signed up with the race it will be $10, or just the UAW shirt will be $20. Last day to sign up on team online is May 28. You can fill out paper form and it has to be turned in to a Women’s Committee Member by May 29 along with money for shirts. The committee will pick up shirts to distribute to walkers, runners. Forms can be dropped in the Suggestions boxes.
Also, our Habitat for Humanity work day is June 21. There are volunteer forms that have to be filled out to work. Forms are at the doors. There will be two shifts that you can choose to work, 8am to noon or noon to 4pm. Please indicate on the form which time frame you would like to work and a contact number. Give you completed form to a Women’s Committee member of drop it in the Suggestion box. The address for the build is 112 Clinton Court at the Enclaves Subdivision. Contact a member of the Women’s Committee for more information.
• From the Benefits Department: All new hire permanent employees will receive health care on their 91st day. However, you must call Fidelity at 1-800-489-4646 within 30 days of receiving health care so there is no lapse in coverage and your Bank of America card is up to date. If you have questions see your benefits rep.
• From the Wall Street Journal: The all-new Ford Transit makes its North American debut with more durable paint, thanks to an industry-first paint technology now in use at Kansas City Assembly Plant. The Transit vehicles built in Kansas City are the first to use the new two-wet monocoat paint process developed by Ford and its paint suppliers. The technology results in more durable paint, uses less energy and water, and reduces carbon dioxide and particulate emissions compared with conventional paint processes.
• The two-wet monocoat process uses a primer coat that requires only a few minutes of open-air drying time before the color coat is applied. The color coat is formulated with the same appearance and protection properties of the clear coat, which eliminates the need for a separate clear coat. The painted body is fully cured in an enamel oven after the color coat is applied. The total process removes one paint application step and one oven drying step when compared to conventional paint processes. The new paint procedure is being used for white-colored vehicles, which account for 80 percent of Ford Transit production at Kansas City Assembly Plant. As each color must be developed uniquely for the two-wet monocoat process, other colors will be considered based on demand. A conventional three-wet process -- primer, base coat, clear coat -- remains in use for metallic-colored vehicles.
• From the Detroit News: Some automakers may look to shuffle where they build small cars to narrow the difference in manufacturing cost between subcompacts and compacts. Most compact cars for the U.S. market are built on American soil. Most of the smaller, subcompact cars are built in countries like Mexico where costs are cheaper. Eric Ibara, an analyst at Kelley Blue Book, has a prediction about U.S.-built compacts: “I think there will be increasing price pressures which may cause manufacturers to move production elsewhere. It’s a problem that the subcompacts can undercut price of the compacts, so the manufacturers need to be careful with the pricing.” The difference in size between a subcompact and a compact is less significant than the difference between and a compact and a mid-size. So is the price difference, which is then magnified because of the higher incentives automakers can offer on the subcompacts. In Mexico, hourly manufacturing costs total about $6.50, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In the U.S, the rate is more than five times higher, at about $35.50. “Compacts will continue to move up in price out of necessity,” Ibara said. “The migration upwards is just never-ending, but the manufacturers have to be careful with pricing and contenting to avoid cannibalization.”
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
State of the Union May 20,2014
May 20, 2014 online at www.uawlocal2250.com
• Union Meeting is after tonight’s 2nd shift and Wednesday at 7:15 am, 1 pm and 15 minutes after longest first shift line time. VCAP donors are being asked to pick up their Cruise tickets at the meetings.
• From the Women’s Committee: The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure will be held June 14, in St. Louis. Our team name is UAW Local 2250. You can sign up on line or there are registration forms at the doors. We are going to have a T shirt that can be purchased with or without signing up for the race. If signed up with the race it will be $10, or just the UAW shirt will be $20. Last day to sign up on team online is May 28. You can fill out paper form and it has to be turned in to a Women’s Committee Member by May 29 along with money for shirts. The committee will pick up shirts to distribute to walkers, runners. Forms can be dropped in the Suggestions boxes.
Also, our Habitat for Humanity work day is June 21. There are volunteer forms that have to be filled out to work. Forms are at the doors. There will be two shifts that you can choose to work, 8am to noon or noon to 4pm. Please indicate on the form which time frame you would like to work and a contact number. Give you completed form to a Women’s Committee member of drop it in the Suggestion box. The address for the build is 112 Clinton Court at the Enclaves Subdivision. Contact a member of the Women’s Committee for more information.
• Reminder: This Friday is a VR blackout day and next Tuesday is the holiday pay qualifying day and a VR blackout day.
• From the Benefits Department: All new hire permanent employees will receive health care on their 91st day. However, you must call Fidelity at 1-800-489-4646 within 30 days of receiving health care so there is no lapse in coverage and your Bank of America card is up to date. If you have any questions please see your benefits rep.
• In a continuing effort to quickly address emerging safety issues, General Motors announced today it is recalling about 2.42 million vehicles in four separate U.S. recalls. The recalls are for: o 1,339,355 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia full-size crossovers from the 2009-2014 model years and Saturn Outlooks from 2009-2010 because front safety lap belt cables can fatigue and separate over time. In a crash, a separated cable could increase the risk of injury to front seat passengers.
o 1,075,102 of the previous generation 4-speed automatic transmission Chevrolet Malibu and from the 2004-2008 model years and Pontiac G6 from the 2005-2008 model years because of a shift cable that could wear out over time, resulting in mismatches of the gear position indicated by the shift lever. o 1,402 Cadillac Escalades and Escalade ESVs from the 2015 model year because an insufficiently heated plastic weld that attaches the passenger side air bag to the instrument panel assembly could result in a partial deployment of the air bag in the event of a crash. o 58 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD full-size pickups from the 2015 model year because retention clips attaching the generator fuse block to the vehicle body can become loose and lead to a potential fire.
• Sunday was a beautiful day for a parade and I think everyone who came out to support this year’s Annie Malone Parade had a marvelous time. The crowd that line the route waved and cheered as we passed and the beads and candy where the hit of the day. We would like to thank anyone and everyone that had a hand in making this possible. Hope to see you there next year. Fred Jamison, Tina Hughes, and Dan Williams - Event Coordinators
• Union Meeting is after tonight’s 2nd shift and Wednesday at 7:15 am, 1 pm and 15 minutes after longest first shift line time. VCAP donors are being asked to pick up their Cruise tickets at the meetings.
• From the Women’s Committee: The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure will be held June 14, in St. Louis. Our team name is UAW Local 2250. You can sign up on line or there are registration forms at the doors. We are going to have a T shirt that can be purchased with or without signing up for the race. If signed up with the race it will be $10, or just the UAW shirt will be $20. Last day to sign up on team online is May 28. You can fill out paper form and it has to be turned in to a Women’s Committee Member by May 29 along with money for shirts. The committee will pick up shirts to distribute to walkers, runners. Forms can be dropped in the Suggestions boxes.
Also, our Habitat for Humanity work day is June 21. There are volunteer forms that have to be filled out to work. Forms are at the doors. There will be two shifts that you can choose to work, 8am to noon or noon to 4pm. Please indicate on the form which time frame you would like to work and a contact number. Give you completed form to a Women’s Committee member of drop it in the Suggestion box. The address for the build is 112 Clinton Court at the Enclaves Subdivision. Contact a member of the Women’s Committee for more information.
• Reminder: This Friday is a VR blackout day and next Tuesday is the holiday pay qualifying day and a VR blackout day.
• From the Benefits Department: All new hire permanent employees will receive health care on their 91st day. However, you must call Fidelity at 1-800-489-4646 within 30 days of receiving health care so there is no lapse in coverage and your Bank of America card is up to date. If you have any questions please see your benefits rep.
• In a continuing effort to quickly address emerging safety issues, General Motors announced today it is recalling about 2.42 million vehicles in four separate U.S. recalls. The recalls are for: o 1,339,355 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia full-size crossovers from the 2009-2014 model years and Saturn Outlooks from 2009-2010 because front safety lap belt cables can fatigue and separate over time. In a crash, a separated cable could increase the risk of injury to front seat passengers.
o 1,075,102 of the previous generation 4-speed automatic transmission Chevrolet Malibu and from the 2004-2008 model years and Pontiac G6 from the 2005-2008 model years because of a shift cable that could wear out over time, resulting in mismatches of the gear position indicated by the shift lever. o 1,402 Cadillac Escalades and Escalade ESVs from the 2015 model year because an insufficiently heated plastic weld that attaches the passenger side air bag to the instrument panel assembly could result in a partial deployment of the air bag in the event of a crash. o 58 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD full-size pickups from the 2015 model year because retention clips attaching the generator fuse block to the vehicle body can become loose and lead to a potential fire.
• Sunday was a beautiful day for a parade and I think everyone who came out to support this year’s Annie Malone Parade had a marvelous time. The crowd that line the route waved and cheered as we passed and the beads and candy where the hit of the day. We would like to thank anyone and everyone that had a hand in making this possible. Hope to see you there next year. Fred Jamison, Tina Hughes, and Dan Williams - Event Coordinators
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
State of the Union May 14, 2014
May 14, 2014 online at www.uawlocal2250.com
• From the Benefits Department: All new hire permanent employees will receive health care on their 91st day. However, you must call Fidelity at 1-800-489-4646 within 30 days of receiving health care so there is no lapse in coverage and your Bank of America card is up to date. If you have any questions please see your benefits rep.
• The annual Annie Malone Parade will be held this coming Sunday, May 18. Anyone who wishes can help ride in vehicles, pass out beads or help decorate. We will be meeting at Gateway St. Louis Buick (previously Behlmann Buick GMC), 820 McDonnell Blvd, St. Louis MO 63042 at 10:30 am on May 18 and will be departing for the parade staging area no later than 10:45 am. For anyone wishing to help decorate the float, you can locate us at the parade staging area which is located on Market Street between Compton Ave and Jefferson Ave at 12 noon. Remember, admittance to the staging area is by entry sticker only. There is street parking in the downtown area and some near the staging area. For questions or detailed directions call Dan Williams at 314-616-2271.
• From the Veterans Committee: The 26th Annual Run for the Wall will be Monday, May 19. You are invited to come and welcome more than 500 motorcycles making their way across the heartland of America to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington DC to honor the men and women still unaccounted for, from all of our wars. We will meet at the Wentzville VFW Post 5327, located on Hwy Z ½ mile south of I-70 at 6 pm. Please remember all of our Veterans and pray for the troops who are currently in harm’s way.
• There is a Community Services committee meeting Thursday, May 15 between shifts in the cafeteria. All are welcome to attend.
• There will be an Education Committee meeting Wednesday, May 14 between shifts in the cafeteria. All are welcome to attend.
• The Blood Drive is tomorrow. Times are 9 am to 2 pm and 7 pm to midnight and will be held in the tour holding room. The drive is being conducted by Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center. • The $1000 Lump Sum Bonus will be payable during the week ending June 8. The eligibility date for this bonus is Thursday, May 15. Eligible employees are defined as those whose status with the Company as of the eligibility date is one of the following:
• Workers at Lear in Selma, Alabama, who make seat foam for Hyundai have been living far too long with dangerous chemicals, low wages, and mandatory 12 hour days (even on weekends and holidays). Now, they are standing up and doing something about it. In the past week alone, there have been more than a half-dozen plant evacuations after a series of chemical leaks. The chemical—called TDI—causes chronic asthma and other lifelong breathing problems. On May 7, a group of workers at this plant marched on their boss and demanded change. They want to form a union with the UAW so workers have a voice in developing a long-term solution to the safety problems. They want to bargain fair wages. Currently workers at the plant start at $9.00 an hour, and no production worker makes more than $11.25, even after nine years of service. They want to stop getting disciplinary points when they have to go to the hospital to treat their breathing problems. And that’s just the beginning. These workers need our support! Please sign the petition and tell Lear and Hyundai that enough is enough! Go to this website.
• Bob “I’m not anti-union” Corker has finally cleared his throat after his guarantees of VW awarding a new SUV to the Chattanooga plant upon rejection of the UAW were met with……well, nothing. Following a VW supervisory board meeting Monday that was widely expected to render a verdict on the location of production, but instead revealed nothing new, Corker spoke with the media. He said that a decision on where Volkswagen will build the SUV is due “in the very near future.” Departing from his previous assurances he said, “I’m not going to put a time frame, but it’s moving in the right direction.” Asked if Chattanooga is now a shoo-in for the plant, Corker said, “Well, I’m saying we had a long pause, which was unfortunate, and it takes a while to sort of get the gears back moving again. But I have no indication that things are different than we thought prior to the election. It does take a while to sort of get everybody moving together and moving ahead. But again, there’s more happening than meets the eye,” Corker said. What exactly is happening? According to Republican Gov. Bill Haslam, who spoke with the media last week, “We’ve had conversations about trying to set up a meeting. But we haven’t had any meetings.” Back to you Bob: “I think if you had that conversation with the governor today he’d give you a different response. Again, the election was just certified within the last few weeks and you know things are moving in the direction that we thought they would.”
• From the Benefits Department: All new hire permanent employees will receive health care on their 91st day. However, you must call Fidelity at 1-800-489-4646 within 30 days of receiving health care so there is no lapse in coverage and your Bank of America card is up to date. If you have any questions please see your benefits rep.
• The annual Annie Malone Parade will be held this coming Sunday, May 18. Anyone who wishes can help ride in vehicles, pass out beads or help decorate. We will be meeting at Gateway St. Louis Buick (previously Behlmann Buick GMC), 820 McDonnell Blvd, St. Louis MO 63042 at 10:30 am on May 18 and will be departing for the parade staging area no later than 10:45 am. For anyone wishing to help decorate the float, you can locate us at the parade staging area which is located on Market Street between Compton Ave and Jefferson Ave at 12 noon. Remember, admittance to the staging area is by entry sticker only. There is street parking in the downtown area and some near the staging area. For questions or detailed directions call Dan Williams at 314-616-2271.
• From the Veterans Committee: The 26th Annual Run for the Wall will be Monday, May 19. You are invited to come and welcome more than 500 motorcycles making their way across the heartland of America to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington DC to honor the men and women still unaccounted for, from all of our wars. We will meet at the Wentzville VFW Post 5327, located on Hwy Z ½ mile south of I-70 at 6 pm. Please remember all of our Veterans and pray for the troops who are currently in harm’s way.
• There is a Community Services committee meeting Thursday, May 15 between shifts in the cafeteria. All are welcome to attend.
• There will be an Education Committee meeting Wednesday, May 14 between shifts in the cafeteria. All are welcome to attend.
• The Blood Drive is tomorrow. Times are 9 am to 2 pm and 7 pm to midnight and will be held in the tour holding room. The drive is being conducted by Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center. • The $1000 Lump Sum Bonus will be payable during the week ending June 8. The eligibility date for this bonus is Thursday, May 15. Eligible employees are defined as those whose status with the Company as of the eligibility date is one of the following:
- Active with Seniority
- On temporary layoff status
- On leave pursuant to Family and Medical Leave Act
- On one of the following leaves of absence which has not exceeded 90 days as of the eligibility date:
- Informal (Par. 103)
- Formal (Par. 104)
- Sickness and Accident (Par.106/108)
- Military (Par. 112 or 218[a])
- Educational (Par. 113)
• Workers at Lear in Selma, Alabama, who make seat foam for Hyundai have been living far too long with dangerous chemicals, low wages, and mandatory 12 hour days (even on weekends and holidays). Now, they are standing up and doing something about it. In the past week alone, there have been more than a half-dozen plant evacuations after a series of chemical leaks. The chemical—called TDI—causes chronic asthma and other lifelong breathing problems. On May 7, a group of workers at this plant marched on their boss and demanded change. They want to form a union with the UAW so workers have a voice in developing a long-term solution to the safety problems. They want to bargain fair wages. Currently workers at the plant start at $9.00 an hour, and no production worker makes more than $11.25, even after nine years of service. They want to stop getting disciplinary points when they have to go to the hospital to treat their breathing problems. And that’s just the beginning. These workers need our support! Please sign the petition and tell Lear and Hyundai that enough is enough! Go to this website.
• Bob “I’m not anti-union” Corker has finally cleared his throat after his guarantees of VW awarding a new SUV to the Chattanooga plant upon rejection of the UAW were met with……well, nothing. Following a VW supervisory board meeting Monday that was widely expected to render a verdict on the location of production, but instead revealed nothing new, Corker spoke with the media. He said that a decision on where Volkswagen will build the SUV is due “in the very near future.” Departing from his previous assurances he said, “I’m not going to put a time frame, but it’s moving in the right direction.” Asked if Chattanooga is now a shoo-in for the plant, Corker said, “Well, I’m saying we had a long pause, which was unfortunate, and it takes a while to sort of get the gears back moving again. But I have no indication that things are different than we thought prior to the election. It does take a while to sort of get everybody moving together and moving ahead. But again, there’s more happening than meets the eye,” Corker said. What exactly is happening? According to Republican Gov. Bill Haslam, who spoke with the media last week, “We’ve had conversations about trying to set up a meeting. But we haven’t had any meetings.” Back to you Bob: “I think if you had that conversation with the governor today he’d give you a different response. Again, the election was just certified within the last few weeks and you know things are moving in the direction that we thought they would.”
Monday, May 12, 2014
State of the Union May 12, 2014
May 12, 2014 online at www.uawlocal2250.com
• Congratulations to President Van Simpson, who was nominated by UAW Region 5 Director Gary Jones to serve on the Resolutions Committee for the UAW Constitutional Convention that will be held the first week of June. Van will be flying to Detroit today for his new assignment.
• Thanks to everyone who bought raffle tickets for the VAP vehicles during Memorial Day weekend. A total of $900 was raised for Habitat for Humanity. The winners of the drawing are: Lawrence Saunders, Charlene Vercher, Kerry Hayes, Jim Blanchard, Tom Prater, Wanda Richard, David Rodriguez and Bill Wright.
• The annual Annie Malone Parade will be held this coming Sunday, May 18. Anyone who wishes can help ride in vehicles, pass out beads or help decorate. We will be meeting at Gateway St. Louis Buick (previously Behlmann Buick GMC), 820 McDonnell Blvd, St. Louis MO 63042 at 10:30 am on May 18 and will be departing for the parade staging area no later than 10:45 am. For anyone wishing to help decorate the float, you can locate us at the parade staging area which is located on Market Street between Compton Ave and Jefferson Ave at 12 noon. Remember, admittance to the staging area is by entry sticker only. There is street parking in the downtown area and some near the staging area. For questions or detailed directions call Dan Williams at 314-616-2271. Mark the date and hope to see you there.
• From the Veterans Committee: The 26th Annual Run for the Wall will be Monday, May 19. You are invited to come and welcome more than 500 motorcycles making their way across the heartland of America to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington DC to honor the men and women still unaccounted for, from all of our wars. We will meet at the Wentzville VFW Post 5327, located on Hwy Z ½ mile south of I-70 at 6 pm. Please remember all of our Veterans and pray for the troops who are currently in harm’s way.
• There will be an Education Committee meeting Wednesday, May 14 between shifts in the cafeteria. All are welcome to attend.
• Earnings roundup: Toyota announced fiscal year earnings (which ended March 31) of $17.7 billion, but that was helped immensely by a currency foreign exchange gain of $8.75 billion as the Japanese government’s plan to weaken the yen paid big dividends. Nissan reported fiscal year profits of $3.78 billion, of which $2.41 billion was due to foreign exchange gains. Chrysler reported a net loss of $690 million in the first quarter as it paid costs associated with its completed merger with Fiat. Without the two unusual charges associated with its merger, profit was $486 million. Chrysler said it took a $504 million loss on the elimination of debt related to the prepayment of its note with the UAW Retiree Health Care Trust. It also took a $672 million charge for commitments it made in the New Year’s Day transaction that allowed Fiat S.p.A. to purchase the UAW VEBA’s remaining shares of Chrysler.
• Recall Roundup: Ford announced the 10th recall of the 2013-2014 Escape SUV, affecting nearly 700,000 vehicles. There are 2 issues: software flaws that delay the deployment of airbags in a rollover situation and exterior door handles that can get stuck in the open position. Chrysler is recalling 780,000 minivans (2010 -2014) for third row power window switches that can overheat when exposed to moisture. Nissan North America is recalling 123,308 2013 Nissan Altimas because the spare tires may have been significantly over- or under-inflated.
• From the Chattanooga Times Free Press: United Auto Workers opponents and the union continue to spar weeks after the worker vote at Volkswagen's Chattanooga plant, even as the state and VW talk about restarting meetings over a possible factory expansion. "We've talked to the company about a meeting, but nothing is scheduled at this point," Clint Brewer, a state Department of Economic and Community Development spokesman, said Friday about re-engaging VW. The state earlier proposed a nearly $300 million incentive package if VW put a new sport utility vehicle and 1,350 production and "headquarters" jobs in Tennessee.
Meanwhile, an anti-UAW website is charging that the union continues to try to organize plant workers in violation of its neutrality agreement with the company, an allegation denied by the union. The website, "no2uaw," said in an open letter to UAW Regional Director Gary Casteel that the union agreed in the neutrality document to discontinue all organizing activities at the plant for a year if it lost the February election.
It complains about a letter Casteel sent to VW employees dated April 21, the day the UAW pulled its National Labor Relations Board appeal for a revote. The website also cited a 2009 letter the UAW submitted to the U.S. Foreign Trade Zone opposing VW jobs in Chattanooga, and it said the union had been implying that the plant wouldn't get the expansion to accommodate production of an SUV without a works council and UAW. "And you lost the election. So why you are still sending us letters? Looks a lot like 'organizing activity' to us. ... Tell us, Mr. Casteel: What is it about the word "NO" that you don't understand?" said the website statement signed by "the Team Members of Volkswagen in Chattanooga who voted NO."
Casteel said in the April 21 letter that while the union was disappointed with the vote, it still believes a works council and UAW representation "can provide the foundation for productive and respectful labor relations." It added, "we have not wavered in our commitment to helping Volkswagen employees achieve this goal." He said the union has asked VW to bring the new SUV production line to Chattanooga.
Casteel also mentioned the withdrawal of the NLRB appeal, saying the UAW "accomplished its primary goal" to inform the public about "the unprecedented interference by anti-worker politicians and third parties." On Friday, Casteel said in an email that VW hasn't indicated it has any problems with the union's activities.
"Our neutrality agreement is with VW only, so the only party that can object to our activities is VW and they are not objecting," he said, adding that he hasn't ever seen the no2uaw website. VW plant spokesman Scott Wilson said the company doesn't view the UAW's April 21 letter as a violation. He said the letter went out before, or simultaneous with, the NLRB's certification of the election. "It's not after," he said. "I don't think it would be a violation."
• Congratulations to President Van Simpson, who was nominated by UAW Region 5 Director Gary Jones to serve on the Resolutions Committee for the UAW Constitutional Convention that will be held the first week of June. Van will be flying to Detroit today for his new assignment.
• Thanks to everyone who bought raffle tickets for the VAP vehicles during Memorial Day weekend. A total of $900 was raised for Habitat for Humanity. The winners of the drawing are: Lawrence Saunders, Charlene Vercher, Kerry Hayes, Jim Blanchard, Tom Prater, Wanda Richard, David Rodriguez and Bill Wright.
• The annual Annie Malone Parade will be held this coming Sunday, May 18. Anyone who wishes can help ride in vehicles, pass out beads or help decorate. We will be meeting at Gateway St. Louis Buick (previously Behlmann Buick GMC), 820 McDonnell Blvd, St. Louis MO 63042 at 10:30 am on May 18 and will be departing for the parade staging area no later than 10:45 am. For anyone wishing to help decorate the float, you can locate us at the parade staging area which is located on Market Street between Compton Ave and Jefferson Ave at 12 noon. Remember, admittance to the staging area is by entry sticker only. There is street parking in the downtown area and some near the staging area. For questions or detailed directions call Dan Williams at 314-616-2271. Mark the date and hope to see you there.
• From the Veterans Committee: The 26th Annual Run for the Wall will be Monday, May 19. You are invited to come and welcome more than 500 motorcycles making their way across the heartland of America to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington DC to honor the men and women still unaccounted for, from all of our wars. We will meet at the Wentzville VFW Post 5327, located on Hwy Z ½ mile south of I-70 at 6 pm. Please remember all of our Veterans and pray for the troops who are currently in harm’s way.
• There will be an Education Committee meeting Wednesday, May 14 between shifts in the cafeteria. All are welcome to attend.
• Earnings roundup: Toyota announced fiscal year earnings (which ended March 31) of $17.7 billion, but that was helped immensely by a currency foreign exchange gain of $8.75 billion as the Japanese government’s plan to weaken the yen paid big dividends. Nissan reported fiscal year profits of $3.78 billion, of which $2.41 billion was due to foreign exchange gains. Chrysler reported a net loss of $690 million in the first quarter as it paid costs associated with its completed merger with Fiat. Without the two unusual charges associated with its merger, profit was $486 million. Chrysler said it took a $504 million loss on the elimination of debt related to the prepayment of its note with the UAW Retiree Health Care Trust. It also took a $672 million charge for commitments it made in the New Year’s Day transaction that allowed Fiat S.p.A. to purchase the UAW VEBA’s remaining shares of Chrysler.
• Recall Roundup: Ford announced the 10th recall of the 2013-2014 Escape SUV, affecting nearly 700,000 vehicles. There are 2 issues: software flaws that delay the deployment of airbags in a rollover situation and exterior door handles that can get stuck in the open position. Chrysler is recalling 780,000 minivans (2010 -2014) for third row power window switches that can overheat when exposed to moisture. Nissan North America is recalling 123,308 2013 Nissan Altimas because the spare tires may have been significantly over- or under-inflated.
• From the Chattanooga Times Free Press: United Auto Workers opponents and the union continue to spar weeks after the worker vote at Volkswagen's Chattanooga plant, even as the state and VW talk about restarting meetings over a possible factory expansion. "We've talked to the company about a meeting, but nothing is scheduled at this point," Clint Brewer, a state Department of Economic and Community Development spokesman, said Friday about re-engaging VW. The state earlier proposed a nearly $300 million incentive package if VW put a new sport utility vehicle and 1,350 production and "headquarters" jobs in Tennessee.
Meanwhile, an anti-UAW website is charging that the union continues to try to organize plant workers in violation of its neutrality agreement with the company, an allegation denied by the union. The website, "no2uaw," said in an open letter to UAW Regional Director Gary Casteel that the union agreed in the neutrality document to discontinue all organizing activities at the plant for a year if it lost the February election.
It complains about a letter Casteel sent to VW employees dated April 21, the day the UAW pulled its National Labor Relations Board appeal for a revote. The website also cited a 2009 letter the UAW submitted to the U.S. Foreign Trade Zone opposing VW jobs in Chattanooga, and it said the union had been implying that the plant wouldn't get the expansion to accommodate production of an SUV without a works council and UAW. "And you lost the election. So why you are still sending us letters? Looks a lot like 'organizing activity' to us. ... Tell us, Mr. Casteel: What is it about the word "NO" that you don't understand?" said the website statement signed by "the Team Members of Volkswagen in Chattanooga who voted NO."
Casteel said in the April 21 letter that while the union was disappointed with the vote, it still believes a works council and UAW representation "can provide the foundation for productive and respectful labor relations." It added, "we have not wavered in our commitment to helping Volkswagen employees achieve this goal." He said the union has asked VW to bring the new SUV production line to Chattanooga.
Casteel also mentioned the withdrawal of the NLRB appeal, saying the UAW "accomplished its primary goal" to inform the public about "the unprecedented interference by anti-worker politicians and third parties." On Friday, Casteel said in an email that VW hasn't indicated it has any problems with the union's activities.
"Our neutrality agreement is with VW only, so the only party that can object to our activities is VW and they are not objecting," he said, adding that he hasn't ever seen the no2uaw website. VW plant spokesman Scott Wilson said the company doesn't view the UAW's April 21 letter as a violation. He said the letter went out before, or simultaneous with, the NLRB's certification of the election. "It's not after," he said. "I don't think it would be a violation."
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
May 7, 2014 online at www.uawlocal2250.com
• There will be a Women’s Committee and a Veterans Committee meeting between shifts at the Union Hall on May 8, 2014. All are welcome to attend.
• Blood Drive signups will be this Wednesday and Thursday at 1st break and lunch time on both shifts in the cafeteria. The Blood Drive will be held next Thursday, May 15.
• Raffle tickets for the VAP (overnight drive) vehicles for the Memorial Day weekend – May 23 through May 27 – will be on sale through this Friday, May 9. Tickets are $5 apiece or 3 for $10 and available at Suggestions, Benefits, Personnel, Kandi Kinsler, and Wanda Richard will be selling them in the cafeteria at lunch time. All proceeds will go to Habitat for Humanity.
• Sales of our van dipped slightly last month but were still fairly strong at 9126. Here’s how the rest of the segment shook out:
2014
While field supplies in units went up about 1300, as measured in days supply they went down from 55 to 49 because of the higher daily sales rate. Passenger vans dropped in both units and days supply, with the Express down to 8 days, easily the lowest of any GM product. GMC cargo vans accounted for most of the increase in units, going up 1050. Looking at the midsize pickup market, Toyota sold 13,871 Tacomas, which was up 6.9% over last April. Nissan sold 5,697 Frontiers, up 10.5%.
• Pricing, among most every other specification, for the new Ford Transit full size van is now available. A regular (130”) wheelbase, low roof cargo van with a V6 will run $29,565. For comparison sake, a 1500 Express work van with the V6 starts at $27,710. The Transit has 246 cubic feet of cargo space vs. the Express at 240 cubic feet. Of course the Transit can be configured to provide up to 487 cubic feet of space with the highest roof and longest wheelbase, aptly termed the “jumbo”. Fuel economy numbers are still not available.
• Cont’d: According to the Kansas City Star, the Claycomo plant outside of Kansas City is producing the vans on one shift with daily production expected to reach 300. A second shift is expected later in the year, assuming demand warrants it. The Transit officially goes on sale this summer although a visit to the Ford website allows you to configure your van now. The Econoline will be available in all versions through the end of the year and then will be reduced to only cutaway and chassis only versions. Surprisingly, there is already $500 cash back on all versions of the Transit van.
• Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) CEO Sergio Marchionne revealed yet another 5-year business plan yesterday that boldly calls for increasing global sales from 4.4 million to 7 million, including an additional 1 million sales in North America, by 2018. But it won’t be by adding a midsize pickup: “We’ve gone through this issue now for five years, and we can’t flip the frame right.” He also had this to say about UAW wages: “I’ve always been of the view that the two-tier wage structures are unsustainable in the long term. We need to freeze the tier ones and make them a dying class. I don’t mean that literally. I object violently to the notion of entitlement in the wage structure. That’s something that is incredibly unwise.”
• From Automotive News: General Motors' first redesigned full-sized pickups in seven years have come dangerously close to being labeled flops since their launch last summer. The trucks haven't provided the typical market-share pop in the bread-and-butter pickup segment. Dealers have griped that the pricing is all wrong -- too steep to fend off aggressive deals from Ford and Ram. Critics derided the conservative styling and lack of innovations such as an aluminum frame or diesel engine. But the gobs of profits that GM piled up from higher transaction prices on the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra saved GM's recall-plagued first quarter -- and have forced a reassessment of GM's strategy for its new generation of pickups.
"GM may have made the right call to go for price over share," Barclays Capital analyst Brian Johnson said in an April 24 research note. Two months earlier, Johnson had declared GM's rollout "arguably the least successful large pickup launch over the last 15 years." The $5,400 spike in transaction prices that GM commanded for the Silverado and Sierra in the first quarter from a year earlier indicates that GM's pickup launch, while far from flawless, is unfolding along the lines that GM had sketched out years ago. GM knew years ago that Ford was likely to do an aluminum pickup for the next-generation F-150, scheduled for launch late this year, the sources said. But GM execs didn't believe the cost and risk of such a move was warranted, mainly for two reasons: First, GM's trucks already had a 200- to 300-pound weight advantage on the F-150. Second, tougher federal fuel economy regulations for trucks don't ramp up in earnest until 2019.
The decision allowed GM to hold down the cost of the new truck platform while still commanding higher prices, until it likely develops a more expensive aluminum underpinning for the next generation, which should arrive around 2019, sources say. Until then, GM expects to maintain pricing by adding innovation. An eight- or 10-speed transmission is expected within two years; a light-duty diesel engine is a strong possibility, too. So far, GM execs have stayed relatively stingy on incentives, even if it means allowing Ram to edge Silverado sales for a month, as it did in March. The pricing strategy is working in the showroom, says Henry Brown, owner of Henry Brown Buick-GMC in Gilbert, Ariz. Brown says he was "one of the loudest critics" of GM sticking to high prices at the expense of market share. But Brown says his sales staff consistently is able to walk Sierra shoppers up to features such as a touch-screen infotainment system. "You can't sell a cheap one," Brown says. "Maybe [GM] knew the market better than we did." GM's sales of pricey trucks have spiked. In the first quarter, the Silverado and Sierra accounted for 37.7 percent of all pickups sold for north of $40,000, up from 26.7 percent a year earlier, data from J.D. Power and Associates show. Production constraints pose a threat to GM's momentum on high-priced trucks, though. GM struggled for several months to meet demand for V-8 engines. Constraints continue to crimp dealers' ordering mix, including a pinch in the supply of larger wheels, four-wheel-drive models and the 6.2-liter V-8 engine.
• There will be a Women’s Committee and a Veterans Committee meeting between shifts at the Union Hall on May 8, 2014. All are welcome to attend.
• Blood Drive signups will be this Wednesday and Thursday at 1st break and lunch time on both shifts in the cafeteria. The Blood Drive will be held next Thursday, May 15.
• Raffle tickets for the VAP (overnight drive) vehicles for the Memorial Day weekend – May 23 through May 27 – will be on sale through this Friday, May 9. Tickets are $5 apiece or 3 for $10 and available at Suggestions, Benefits, Personnel, Kandi Kinsler, and Wanda Richard will be selling them in the cafeteria at lunch time. All proceeds will go to Habitat for Humanity.
• Sales of our van dipped slightly last month but were still fairly strong at 9126. Here’s how the rest of the segment shook out:
2014
| 2014 | 2013 | Change | Share | |
| Ford Econoline | 13,239 | 12,573 | +5.3% | 48.4% |
| GM | 9,126 | 9,379 | -2.7% | 33.4% |
| Mercedes Sprinter | 2,394 | 1855 | +29.1% | 8.7% |
| Nissan NV | 1,367 | 892 | +53.3% | 5.0% |
| Ram Promaster | 1233 | --- | --- | 4.5% |
| Ford Transit Connect | 3573 | 2,779 | +28.6% | |
| Nissan NV 200 | 938 | --- | --- |
While field supplies in units went up about 1300, as measured in days supply they went down from 55 to 49 because of the higher daily sales rate. Passenger vans dropped in both units and days supply, with the Express down to 8 days, easily the lowest of any GM product. GMC cargo vans accounted for most of the increase in units, going up 1050. Looking at the midsize pickup market, Toyota sold 13,871 Tacomas, which was up 6.9% over last April. Nissan sold 5,697 Frontiers, up 10.5%.
• Pricing, among most every other specification, for the new Ford Transit full size van is now available. A regular (130”) wheelbase, low roof cargo van with a V6 will run $29,565. For comparison sake, a 1500 Express work van with the V6 starts at $27,710. The Transit has 246 cubic feet of cargo space vs. the Express at 240 cubic feet. Of course the Transit can be configured to provide up to 487 cubic feet of space with the highest roof and longest wheelbase, aptly termed the “jumbo”. Fuel economy numbers are still not available.
• Cont’d: According to the Kansas City Star, the Claycomo plant outside of Kansas City is producing the vans on one shift with daily production expected to reach 300. A second shift is expected later in the year, assuming demand warrants it. The Transit officially goes on sale this summer although a visit to the Ford website allows you to configure your van now. The Econoline will be available in all versions through the end of the year and then will be reduced to only cutaway and chassis only versions. Surprisingly, there is already $500 cash back on all versions of the Transit van.
• Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) CEO Sergio Marchionne revealed yet another 5-year business plan yesterday that boldly calls for increasing global sales from 4.4 million to 7 million, including an additional 1 million sales in North America, by 2018. But it won’t be by adding a midsize pickup: “We’ve gone through this issue now for five years, and we can’t flip the frame right.” He also had this to say about UAW wages: “I’ve always been of the view that the two-tier wage structures are unsustainable in the long term. We need to freeze the tier ones and make them a dying class. I don’t mean that literally. I object violently to the notion of entitlement in the wage structure. That’s something that is incredibly unwise.”
• From Automotive News: General Motors' first redesigned full-sized pickups in seven years have come dangerously close to being labeled flops since their launch last summer. The trucks haven't provided the typical market-share pop in the bread-and-butter pickup segment. Dealers have griped that the pricing is all wrong -- too steep to fend off aggressive deals from Ford and Ram. Critics derided the conservative styling and lack of innovations such as an aluminum frame or diesel engine. But the gobs of profits that GM piled up from higher transaction prices on the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra saved GM's recall-plagued first quarter -- and have forced a reassessment of GM's strategy for its new generation of pickups.
"GM may have made the right call to go for price over share," Barclays Capital analyst Brian Johnson said in an April 24 research note. Two months earlier, Johnson had declared GM's rollout "arguably the least successful large pickup launch over the last 15 years." The $5,400 spike in transaction prices that GM commanded for the Silverado and Sierra in the first quarter from a year earlier indicates that GM's pickup launch, while far from flawless, is unfolding along the lines that GM had sketched out years ago. GM knew years ago that Ford was likely to do an aluminum pickup for the next-generation F-150, scheduled for launch late this year, the sources said. But GM execs didn't believe the cost and risk of such a move was warranted, mainly for two reasons: First, GM's trucks already had a 200- to 300-pound weight advantage on the F-150. Second, tougher federal fuel economy regulations for trucks don't ramp up in earnest until 2019.
The decision allowed GM to hold down the cost of the new truck platform while still commanding higher prices, until it likely develops a more expensive aluminum underpinning for the next generation, which should arrive around 2019, sources say. Until then, GM expects to maintain pricing by adding innovation. An eight- or 10-speed transmission is expected within two years; a light-duty diesel engine is a strong possibility, too. So far, GM execs have stayed relatively stingy on incentives, even if it means allowing Ram to edge Silverado sales for a month, as it did in March. The pricing strategy is working in the showroom, says Henry Brown, owner of Henry Brown Buick-GMC in Gilbert, Ariz. Brown says he was "one of the loudest critics" of GM sticking to high prices at the expense of market share. But Brown says his sales staff consistently is able to walk Sierra shoppers up to features such as a touch-screen infotainment system. "You can't sell a cheap one," Brown says. "Maybe [GM] knew the market better than we did." GM's sales of pricey trucks have spiked. In the first quarter, the Silverado and Sierra accounted for 37.7 percent of all pickups sold for north of $40,000, up from 26.7 percent a year earlier, data from J.D. Power and Associates show. Production constraints pose a threat to GM's momentum on high-priced trucks, though. GM struggled for several months to meet demand for V-8 engines. Constraints continue to crimp dealers' ordering mix, including a pinch in the supply of larger wheels, four-wheel-drive models and the 6.2-liter V-8 engine.
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