President/Chairman Report
We have received many phone calls and emails from our members on various questions and concerns that you have presented us. We hope that we have answered all of your questions in a timely manner. These are the most uncertain times that this facility has faced since we began building vehicles and the ongoing American Axle strike just adds to the frustration as we have no foresight as to when we will return to production. We realize that many of you experienced problems with your sub-pay back in March due to management’s error and that was a major concern of ours. We appreciate the hard work and dedication that your appointed reps have displayed and hope that you have witnessed the same in resolving the problems. We apologize for the length of time between our reports as there just hasn’t been a great deal to report out. We have kept your union web site updated with information and contacts for your convenience. As always, anytime that you have a question please do not hesitate to call us or just simply send us an email. (John Harlow 937-455-2556 Gaylen Turner 937-224-5085 ext 11)
American Axle Strike/ National Contract
The American Axle strike is entering its’ ninth week. There were reports of some progress a few weeks ago but the sides are far from reaching an agreement to their situation
We currently have a tentative National Agreement with the only hold up being a mutually agreed to amount of contributions to the VEBA from the corporation. Your International Representatives have met with the corporation twice in the last month and are still apart from the amount that is necessary to keep our retirees protected.
The Local Bargaining Committee, that was assisting the International, is done with their part of assisting in the negotiations. At this point we are awaiting the International Representatives to reach an agreement on the VEBA so that we may present you with the tentative agreement for ratification.
Job Fair and Financial Fair
There will be a job fair for all members of this facility at the plant on May 7th from 12:00 noon to 6:00 P.M. We encourage everyone to attend and weigh all of your options. There will be 5 company’s sending representatives to talk to you if desired.
We are planning a Financial Fair on May 15th from 2:00 P.M to 4:30 P.M at the Union Hall. There will be several companies’ there to help answer any questions that you may have related to investing your money.
Buy Out/ SAP
You should have received a certified packet in the mail with information on the 4 options that are being offered by the corporation. If for some reason that you didn’t receive it please contact Bill Laffey in Labor Relations @ 937-455-2882. There have been numerous packets returned due to incorrect mailing address on file. As of April 29th there have been 72 individuals exercise their right to participate in this program. There have also been approximately 80-90 people request retirement papers. Please keep in mind that just because an individual orders their retirement papers that doesn’t mean that they have to retire. We do expect this amount to increase as the deadline approaches. That date is still currently May 22nd at midnight.
Tim Lee and Amy Farmer Visit
On April 22nd Tim Lee and Amy Farmer and other members of their staff made his annual visit to the plant. The meetings and visit went very well. Tim made many positive statements about the plant and our members. We again spent our time singing the praises of the people that we represent and the continued desire to have a future that is long overdue.
Food Pantry
We would like to thank the AFL-CIO/United Way and all of the people that showed up at the Union Hall to help unload the trucks. There were over 300 volunteers from both hourly and salary members that put aside politics to come together and help those IUE and UAW members who have been affected hardest by the short-fall of income due to the lay-off. As of April 16th this pantry has provided assistance to over 2400 members and their families from IUE Local 798, Local 755 and UAW Local 696. A special thanks to those members that continue to spend their free time to donate to work at the pantry.
In closing, we would like to extend to you our thoughts on our current situation, it is one of cautious optimism. With the changes that we have put on the table to help secure a future at this facility for the Corporation. There still lacks a commitment from the Corporation to grant us a product past 2010. At this time, with the contract that we hope to ratify, we feel we have put Moraine Assembly in a position that makes us the ONLY choice if and when there is a future product that is going to be built.
| Gaylen
Turner President Local 798 (937)224-5085 ext 11 President@iuecwa798.com |
John Harlow Shop Chairman Local 798 (937)455-2556 Chairman@iuecwa798.com |