Rich DeVore |
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January 17, 2012
The Chrysler council met in Nashville, Tennessee on December 12- 14, 2011.
Here is brief report:
Opening remarks from Region 8 Director Gary Casteel
- Region 2-B now consists of the entire states of Ohio/Indiana bringing total membership to over 73,000 U.A.W. members
- Organizing Transplants number one objective. German companies most receptive, Asian companies least. No decision on “target” yet.
- Build power for Social justice!
General Holiefield, Vice President
- World Class Academy at TTC will expose all members to WCM though state of the art training facility.
- WCM issues at plant level to be addressed.
- Quality must be owned by all. Consumers back into products, must keep them there.
- 2012 initiatives:
- Dealer Campaigns
- Global Campaigns
Tim Bressler, Top Administrative Assistant
- Local 723 Dundee Engine (formally G.E.M.A.) now part of the Chrysler Council.
- Many issues with W.C.M. throughout company.
- Workplace Violence prevention training to be conducted in all plants in 2012.
- T.A.P. reinstituted for active members. Administered in house.
Keith Mickens, Assistant Director
- TTC / WCM academy – $10 million investment, 25k sq. ft., 70 % hands- on training
- Letter # 124 – Plant Management must adhere to.
- Plant issues with WCM “specialists “infringing on SBU work.
- SUB fund –$474 million
James Hardy, Assistant Director
- Attendance roll-back, last occurrence removed December 15th
- 67B must reapply yearly
- Dundee/Toledo Jeep/Trenton – new local agreements by February
- Local 212 Conner Ave. to reopen, former employees canvassed to return. Additional 50 – 75 employees hired.
- National contract books dispersed within 90 days.
LaChandra White, Coordinator
- Company requested 5 tier benefit package, also reductions in Dental/Orthodontics. Union stance, no cost shifting period.
- 2006 Pension Protection Act prohibits any type of bonus to be paid out if not fully funded.
- Ratio of Active to retired 1 – 4
- Roth IRA available for 2012
- Skilled Trade new hires retain hourly rate, new hire benefit plan.
Roy Hamilton, Salary
- 3,056 members
- Salary insurance letter.
- Weekly review meetings on outside contracting issues.
- Die resource / Die design – Union attempting to bring back in house.
- Tool stores – Pilot established to bring back in- house.
Gary Reid, Sourcing Coordinator
- Union went after product commitment.
- M1 letter strengthened
- Target non–union work (sub-assemblies)
- Sourcing moratorium secured
- Improved language on Insourcing/outsourcing – 10% currently unionized.
Sean Penn, Safety
- Safety audits for all plants 2012
- Preventative letter- ventilation issues at all plants. H/S representatives to receive additional training.
Here at the local level, we are currently in negotiations and are optimistic about achieving a new agreement. In regards to WCM, we must re- evaluate our direction by getting everyone involved. We must have participation from everyone with the most critical being the TEAM MEMBER! The concept of WCM is to empower the teams to make decisions (and allow them to), reduce management involvement and inspire all to approach manufacturing in a methodical way. We have done VERY little of this! We have MANY people working hard to make the plant successful…but are not on the same page.
WCM is the “Measuring Stick “ by which all plants are evaluated for new work, not to mention additional monetary “BONUSES “. The involvement of the Local Union Leadership has been very little and will change. In the past two years, meetings were held between the parties to discuss the direction of WCM, but fell on DEAF EARS! During National negotiations the issues were presented from the local level and have been addressed with strengthened language and a commitment to support the Local Unions. Please support one another and we will ready the plant for additional work.
In Solidarity,
