Wednesday, March 25, 2015

State of the Union March 25, 2015

March 25, 2015 online at www.uawlocal2250.com

• From the Women’s Committee: Thanks to everyone who helped to make this year’s Easter Egg Hunt another big success. A great time was had by everyone who attended. Also, the Women’s Committee is raffling off a Colorado jacket (donated by Pat Wyse) to raise money for Habitat for Humanity. Tickets are $5 apiece or 3 for $10 and available from any committee member.

• There will be a Civil Rights Committee meeting on Monday, April 6 between shifts in the cafeteria. As always, anyone interested in attending and becoming a member of the committee is welcome.

• This week is the UAW Bargaining Convention, which is being held in Detroit. Here is a message from the UAW about the Power of Collective Bargaining:

The theme of the UAW’s 2015 Special Convention on Collective Bargaining is “The Power of Collective Bargaining Lifts Us All.” This reminds us that the historic gains members make at the bargaining table are victories that lift families into the middle class and benefit entire communities. It also reminds us that no gain we have achieved has been freely given but has come only from the power of collective bargaining, and the solidarity it creates when we come together at the negotiating table. Your activism as a member and the solidarity you create within the UAW secure working people’s gains in every contract we ratify. When we face challenges, we know we still stand together to fight another day. That bond of solidarity that creates victories for working people is never broken. We will forge ahead to create contracts that generate prosperity for our national economy, high standards in our workplaces, and a rewarding retirement for all.

More than ever, the power of collective bargaining is needed to lift working women and men and sustain this great nation’s working families who are the bedrock of our economy.

With each step forward, we carry with us the knowledge that the power of collective bargaining lifts us all.

Today at the Bargaining Convention, UAW President Dennis Williams gave a speech to the delegates. This article from the Detroit Free Press captures some of President Williams comments:
UAW President Dennis Williams, wearing a dark suit and red shirt, raised his fist and led union members through several fiery chants Wednesday as he laid out his vision for the union and its negotiating priorities with the Detroit Three and other employers.
"When I raise my fist, I am talking about unity, I am talking about solidarity," Williams told delegates gathered in Detroit for the union's bargaining convention today.
Williams said the UAW understands the pressures of globalization that employers face, but railed about an economic recovery from the worst recession in decades that has failed to deliver pay increases for many in the middle class. Williams said it has led to an America where people work more than 40 hours per week and still live in near poverty.
"I believe in a $15 an hour minimum wage," Williams said. "It makes sense for the United States of America."

When it comes to upcoming contract talks with General Motors, Ford and Chrysler, Williams made it clear he would like to eliminate an entry level wage that was approved by UAW members in 2007 when the automakers were losing money and market share. The UAW's four-year contract with the Detroit Three expires in September.
"I truly believe that our companies know that we can be both creative and thoughtful," Williams said. "But make no doubt about it, they also know, that as we share in the bad times, we must equally share in the good times."
One of the prevailing themes at the UAW's two-day bargaining convention has been the idea of "bridging the gap" -- a reference to seeking a raise for the lower paid autoworkers who earn a maximum of $19.28 per hour to bring them closer to the $28 per hour, on average, that workers hired before 2008 make.
"The UAW will never abandon the principles on which we were founded," Williams said. "We believe in a fair day's work for a fair day's pay, and we believe in equal pay for equal work."
For Williams, the challenge will be not only to negotiate a contract that appeases autoworkers, but also to negotiate new contracts with workers at John Deere, the State of Michigan and a number of other employers.
"This year, we have a great responsibility, full of challenges," Williams said. "Throughout the country, we have a lot of contracts (to negotiate), and you know there is a great deal at stake. Our challenge is real."

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

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