Soldiers Of Solidarity Blog - Soldiers Of Solidarity Blog (message title)

Soldiers Of Solidarity Blog (message title) - Posted at 04:39 on Saturday, November 4, 2006 by soldiersolidarity

Brothers and Sisters - - - How are things going since you were forced to make life altering decisions regarding your jobs and livelihood?

Did you take the SAP (Special Attrition Program)? Did you transfer to a new job? Are you a temporary worker? Are you retired but forced to make additional payments for health insurance coverage? Are you on Strike? Are you worried about what the next round of contract talks will bring? Let's talk about it. All workers, non-workers, retirees, etc. are invited to participate. How can we combat the attack on the working class?

The new SOS Blog is TOTALLY ANONYMOUS!!!

No worry of retaliation, no personal attacks or criticizing. Check it out!!!

Tell us what YOU think. Tell us about your experiences.

Just click on the message title, above, to access the SOS Blog or you can click on the link below.

I transferred from Delphi - Posted at 06:09 on Saturday, November 4, 2006 by Anonymous
Hello all:
I work at the new Lansing, MI Body Assembly Plant. LDT is a very nice facility. There are so may things going on there its impossible to list them all. One important thing that has happened is that we were informed when we arrived that we would not be able to use our seniority to move to a preferred job or shift for 16 months. Everyone complained and protested against this. Since then, management has posted several jobs to allow some people to move to a preferred job. Just proves that solidarity works!

no health care - Posted at 11:11 on Sunday, November 5, 2006 by Anonymous
I\'m a former Delphi worker as well. I\'ve been in Lansing since July and I still haven\'t received health insurance card. The Benefit reps give me this 800 number. I\'m supposed to call Fidelity. All I get is thr run around. They want copies of birth certificates, social security cards, marrriage certificates, tax statements. I thought I was the only one, but I hear a lot of Delphi transfers are getting the same treatment.

no relocation allowance - Posted at 11:53 on Sunday, November 5, 2006 by Anonymous
all this time i have been pissed because I didnt get relocation allowance like the folks from Saginaw did even though I have to drive twice as far and will have to relocate. But I TOO DO NOT HAVE INSURANCE YET. What is up with that? If I did half the job and told them to check back with me next week, or said, "its in process" I would get fired. I feel like I'm working for half pay!!!!

Relocation Allowance - Posted at 12:23 on Monday, November 6, 2006 by Anonymous
I am also one of those people who drives further than the Saginaw people and did not get the relocation allowance. I just want to say that I am very glad the Saginaw people got the money because they deserve it. We all should get the money because all of us deserve it and GM and the UAW should not discriminate.

relocation appeal - Posted at 01:33 on Monday, November 6, 2006 by Shotwell
I filed an appeal on the International's decision not to grant relocation allowance on an equal basis. The arbitrary nature of the decision is discriminatory. They claim Coopersville is "area hire" and that designation gives us "priority hiring rights" but that isn't the way it works. There are still screw machine operators at Coopersville who got call letters from GM Lansing but they have not been permitted to leave. They are for all intents and purposes, indentured servants obligated to pay off their masters before they can leave. I filed the appeal over 60 days ago. Appellants, who are average union members have strict time limits on appeals, but the International can postpone indefinitely. I wrote a letter to the Public Review Board and mailed it on Friday. They can usually elicit some response from the International. When I do get a hearing I will let you know. I want to hear how they explain and justify depriving us of relocation allowance when we are further from Lansing than Saginaw. sos, shot

insurance - Posted at 02:50 on Monday, November 6, 2006 by Anonymous
I got my call letter to GM a month before my start date which was back in August and I still don't have insurance. I'm glad I read these postings. I thought I was the only one and it was all a mistake. What can we do?

dont put up with bs - Posted at 03:32 on Monday, November 6, 2006 by Anonymous
dont put up with bs. i didnt give them any of the records they asked for. i called the benefits repss office and bitched like hell. they have no right to not give me or any other worker insurance. this crap about not having our records is bs. dont take it.

Untitled Comment - Posted at 10:54 on Monday, November 6, 2006 by Anonymous
I don't have any insurance yet either. I know of some people who did get their cards. It took hours on the telephone to get everything straightened out. Who has time for this? I am on the road most of the time. Isn't this what the Benefits Rep. is for? I think the UAW is working for the Company!

This Blog is Great! - Posted at 12:31 on Monday, November 6, 2006 by Autoworker
I am so glad to see this Blog. In this attack on workers and the Middle Class it is sooo important to talk with each other to help each other solve problems. We can Fight! We can Win! Solidarity really does work!

Transferring from Delphi - Posted at 05:55 on Monday, November 6, 2006 by Anonymous
I have heard rumors that GM plants are no longer calling Delphi employees. They are now concentrating on moving the GM employees from closed plants. Has anyone here heard rumors like that?

seniority rights - Posted at 01:30 on Tuesday, November 7, 2006 by Anonymous
I have 28.5 years seniority with GM-Delphi and I can't put in a shift preference or a transfer. Now, I learn from this blog that jobs are being posted at the Lansing Ass plant? I cant tell union from management in this plant. If the UAW doesnt honor seniority it is not a union at all. I've taken more vacation than some of these kids have worked, but they have more rights than I do.

CALL FOR CHANGE - Posted at 10:30 on Tuesday, November 7, 2006 by Anonymous
PLEASE VOTE ON NOVEMBER 7TH

Untitled Comment - Posted at 11:39 on Tuesday, November 7, 2006 by Anonymous
How is that Fidelity, an investment company that manages mutual funds, is administering health insurance for GM? Something is not right here. Why should they have access to all our personal information? Some of do have insurance but many do not. Equality and seniority should be basic union principles.
How can Local 602 have a local contract that violates seniority?
No justice, no production.

no delphi parts in LDT? - Posted at 01:45 on Thursday, November 16, 2006 by Anonymous
I read about suppliers working for (in) the LDT plant. I didn't see any mention of Delphi. Has GM disowned Delphi? If so, this plan to stop buying Delphi parts was devised a long time ago. Does anyone know how many Delphi parts are in the new GM vehicles?

Untitled Comment - Posted at 05:14 on Saturday, November 18, 2006 by Anonymous
I've heard that GM and the union did NOT want to use Delphi as their supplier. In fact, the only Delphi part used in the new vehicles built at LDT is the XM radio.

Whining - Posted at 03:48 on Tuesday, November 28, 2006 by Anonymous
I've never seen such a big group of whiners in one place in my life.

whining - Posted at 02:22 on Saturday, December 2, 2006 by Anonymous
That's exactly the response we get from the "So Called" UAW union leadership.

25,000 protest in belgium - Posted at 12:52 on Sunday, December 3, 2006 by Anonymous
I just read this article. Americans could learn something from our friends in Europe. The UAW, what a JOKE.

Collective action - Posted at 12:19 on Monday, December 4, 2006 by Anonymous
I love the front page, where it says:

"Collective action won the War of Independence."

Indeed. But the kind of collective action this website is advocating is to win a war for dependence. Everything you stand for is dependence on government - the direct opposite of the War for Independence.

Untitled Comment - Posted at 11:23 on Tuesday, December 5, 2006 by Anonymous
Are you retarded? This website simply promotes education and solidarity!

No Name Calling Please - Posted at 12:38 on Tuesday, December 5, 2006 by SOS
Please let us have respect for each other. Let's try not to use words like retarded and whiners.

Thanks for your support. SOS promotes education and mobilization; but above all, SOLIDARITY.

Remember, when we Stand and Fight Together, we have Power!
Thanks

joint funding - Posted at 12:49 on Tuesday, December 5, 2006 by Anonymous
In the olden days mothers would make what is called a sugar teat. It was a spoonful of sugar tied inside a rag. This was used to quiet babies. It worked, but soon it was discovered that it rotted the teeth and the child became dependent on it.
<br>This analogy can be applied to joint funding and what it has done to our leadership. Quiet and dependent with a hostile eye towards anyone who would take it away, even a mindful brother or sister that can see the damage it\'s doing to the body whole.

Not retarted - Posted at 03:48 on Tuesday, December 5, 2006 by Joe S.
No, I'm not retarted, simply reading this web site:

"Homeland security means Living Wages, Universal Health Care, Equal Access to Education and Respect for Retirees."

What is "universal healthcare," "living wages," and "equal access to education," other than dependence on government. Most people in life have to earn things, not expect everyone else to pay for them. I pay for my own healthcare, I paid for my own college education, and I don't expect a "living wage" unless I work to earn it. I prefer to negotiate my own wages rather than abdicating that to the government or a union. I prefer independence, not dependence!

Advocating for fair treatment and negotiating with your employer are legitimate union functions - trying to foist socialism on everyone else is not.

response to not retarded - Posted at 02:59 on Thursday, December 7, 2006 by Anonymous
These ownership dudes talk out of both sides of thier mouth. I love the way they presume that everybody involved with money is on the up and up. For every movie of the week drama showing somebody pulling themselves up by the bootsraps and succeeding, there are hundreds who have tried and were beat down. Without a collective voice they will stay down. Without an equal opportunity the odds are against them. S.O.S. wants to help even the playing field. How is it that when people form a collective unit to fight unfavorable laws, we are labeled socialists? Yet when companies form a collective unit to fight unfavorable laws its considered capitalism. All S.O.S. is doing is fighting fire with fire. We could care less what any one of our members political affiliations are. However we do care about accountability from our leadership whether they are government, union, or corporate and regardless of they're politics. Our country is based on the rule of law. What we are fighting for are contractual agreements negotiated in good faith between employers and emloyees. The employers chose to renege on those agreements.This is not dependence this is our due. This is not socialism or any other 'ism. We are fighting for what is rightfully ours and that my friend is the american way.

Bargaining Convention Picket - Posted at 06:49 on Friday, December 8, 2006 by Anonymous
We are doing a survey as to how many people are willing to picket the bargaining convention at cobo hall. We also need retirees to come to defend their pensions and healthcare. Post on this blog if you are willing to attend. For further contact information see our web site. sos

picket - Posted at 12:55 on Monday, December 11, 2006 by Anonymous
I'm ready to picket.

Edited by soldiersolidarity on Tuesday, December 12, 2006 at 01:47

picket - Posted at 11:49 on Wednesday, December 27, 2006 by Anonymous
I'm ready to picket anytime anywhere, I'll be at the Bargaining CON, In regard to the person who claims he prefers independence: That's a management foil. "But don't you want to be independent? You can negotiate for yourself." Trouble is there is no power against the organized strength of the corporation when one is isolated. That's why there is a Business Roundtable. No individual benefits from government as much as the corporations. If King George had convinced the Americans they should stand alone we wouldn't have a United States. Humans are gregarious. It's a survival mechanism that has withstood the test of time. Health, education, and other public works like infrastructure are best achieved and maintained through cooperative group effort. Advanced, sophisticated societies benefit the largest number to the greatest degree. A decadent society encourages destructive dog eat dog competition. sos, shotwell

Still not retarted - Posted at 09:19 on Thursday, December 28, 2006 by Anonymous
Reply to sos shotwell: Your analogy makes no sense. The United States declared independence from King George - we didn't decide to go the collective route and declare our solidarity with the Crown. We went our own way (of course, with help from other nations). There is always the historical fight between collectivism and individualism, of course. But today's unions aren't about employee protection any more as so much about advocating for a bloated government, collectivization, and dependence on the very type of government that we declared ourselves independent from - the nanny state of Kings and despots.

Today's labor unions are responsible for the scramble to move factories out of states, such as Michigan and Ohio, to states where there are no unions, such as Mississippi and Alabama, as well as other nations. You can fight all you want for a stronger union, but you're just going to ensure the future bankruptcy of your employer if you get your way. Toyota is kicking the Big 3's behinds, yet you clamor for the glory days of the 1970s. It's not going to happen - all you're doing is attempting to prolong your own inevitable decline.

What the line workers think - Posted at 12:47 on Thursday, December 28, 2006 by Anonymous
It is to bad, we sit here and discuss what is wrong with the UAW, as a guy who humps it everyday on the assembly line I feel like we are forgotten about, I see discussions on what is wrong with our leaders at the solidarity house and how everyone has a better idea of what we should be doing. The truth is us out there on the line only have each other. I rely on the good people around me to protect me, I sure the hell don't think G-finger our anyone else to protect my job, I count on my brothers and sisters to put that car together in a way that noone else can. When myself or anyone else gets a atta-boy from mgt., I simply tell them that it's my job I am a UAW worker and that noone does it better than a United Auto Worker. I do feel we have been poorly managed but noone can make me or anyone else do a poor job. In closing I think what the SOS is doing is a good thing, we should hold our leadership accountable, but I feel we should also do a better job at being accountable ourselves.

re: Still Not - Posted at 02:42 on Saturday, December 30, 2006 by shotwell
Still Not says, "Your analogy makes no sense." And then goes on to say, "We went our own way." Who is this "we" who banded together to protect their common interests ('our own way") against a non working entity which attempted to skim the wealth Americans created?

The analogy of colonists and workers uniting to protect their common interests does make sense.

According to Still Not, unions are responsible for driving the flagship of American industry into the scrap yard. Not management? Of course not. He/she is management. Still Not asserts that if we advocate for fair compensation and humane working conditions we are fools.

Oh.

re: lineworker - Posted at 11:27 on Saturday, December 30, 2006 by Anonymous
Lineworker says "I think what the SOS is doing is a good thing, we should hold our leadership accountable, but I feel we should also do a better job at being accountable ourselves."

We should be accountable to our coworkers including the next generation of workers. Don't stick them with two tier. sos shot

Retirement - Posted at 04:26 on Tuesday, January 9, 2007 by Anonymous
I retired on September 1, 2005 from Delphi with 30 years seniority. The Gods above decided that the $35,000 was retroactive to October 1st retirees. They also were able to check a box and be under the GM pension.
<br>One month made a hell of a difference in my case. I didn't see an extra penny. Whomever made this decision were fools.

Still Not - Posted at 02:59 on Wednesday, January 10, 2007 by Anonymous
A previous poster states:

"Still Not asserts that if we advocate for fair compensation and humane working conditions we are fools. "

But this person has clearly decided to ignore my previous comment on this blog:

"Advocating for fair treatment and negotiating with your employer are legitimate union functions - trying to foist socialism on everyone else is not. "

I don't think most Americans disagree that it's legitimate for unions to represent members in favor of a healthy, safe, and fair work environment. The problems the unions have today is that they stand for so much more. It's no longer just about safety, but the advocacy of more government control and socialism. If you guys would get off the socialism bandwagon, i bet a hell of a lot more americans would support you. As it stands, asking the average American what comes to mind when you say the word "UAW" will get you a reply with terms like "lazy, socialism, stagnation," etc. Your problem isn't management or free trade - it's yourselves.

SOS Google Group - Posted at 07:04 on Tuesday, January 16, 2007 by Anonymous
Is ther a way to promote this blog on the sos google more somehow

Untitled Comment - Posted at 08:16 on Friday, January 26, 2007 by Anonymous
Why should the big three car co. try to make money by engineering and designing better cars. When they could come to the UAW workers, not union bosses,
<br>and ask for give backs that we earned over the last 50 year.We keep giving them back BILLIONS.
<br>Chrysler was making money, and they asked the UAW for give backs and the UAW said no. all of the sudden Chrysler started to loose money so that they could get billions from their workers.
<br>
<br>WHEN IS THIS MONKEY SEE MONKEY DO GAMES FROM AUTO CO. GOING TO STOP?
<br>
<br>
<br>REMEMBER THAT AT THE 2006 CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION THE UAW BOSSES GAVE THEMSELFS A RAISE.
<br>Sooner rather than later there won't be any reasons to be a union member.

Untitled Comment - Posted at 10:42 on Sunday, January 28, 2007 by Anonymous
Yes, isn't that true. Chrysler was making money until they wanted the same concessions from workers that Ford and GM got. The UAW said NO because they were not in the same financial position but if somehow they could manage to get there, the UAW would take another look at it. Now they're loosing money and the UAW is going to ask Chrysler autoworkers for concessions. Isn't it strange how that works? They think we are absolutely stupid.

concerned uaw auto worker - Posted at 09:43 on Saturday, February 10, 2007 by Anonymous
the corvette plant had 300 workers take the buyouts
<br>and they only transfered 180 workers back in and now they say they have to many people so they put
<br>13 people in a jobs bank and want get rid of 88 more
<br>people the union seems to be going along with this
<br>is this what uaw workers pay union dues for

.reality - Posted at 01:12 on Saturday, February 24, 2007 by Anonymous
I see all the talk and complaining about what the company owes us and how the young workers must hold the corporation back and how we should say no to any concessions.How is it that everything must fall on the young workers? Each one of us support 4.55 retired workers, For years we have given one concession after another, do you believe all of us with 20 plus years to go can stop what a whole generation of auto workers have handed down to us? Most younger workers have had previous jobs in factories, trust me on this one, we worked from the time the whistle blew at the beginning of the shift until it blew again at the end. We understand our place in this big puzzle....you want to survive you better be willing to work, we understand that they are going to run the business the way they choose and if they tell me that I have to do it there way....I don't see anyone from our leadership telling them they can't. The wheels are in motion, we will bargain away our porters, our skilled trades as we know it are gone. These things are already done and been decided on before we ever have a chance to voice an opinion or cast a vote, this is the reality that all of us will be forced to accept.

THE DEATH OF SKILLED TRADES - Posted at 08:57 on Sunday, February 25, 2007 by Anonymous
In the Flint area...The death of skilled trades has already started. Pipefitters and Millwrights are layed off as of Feb 26, 2007. From my understanding of the situation...The pipefitters have all gone out on inverse layoff, the millwrights are a different story we only had three people take the inverse lay off, so six low senority people were forced out for a eleven month temporary layoff????? AND all the other SUPPORT TRADES are expected to have layoffs this year. After seeing the article on GM's plan for leaving 13% of the companies skilled trades workers behind..this is truley frightning.
Our fighting district and shop union people did a fabulous job....we were going to permanently layed off with our names being placed on the National Area Hire list. With at least a chance of being picked up by another plant.....but according to the union the company blinkedat the last minute and made this a tempoary layoff! YEA for the union we get to sit on the street for almost a year while we have NO CHANCE to get another job within GM. But according the our fantsatic union that is a good thing???? We should be proud that they let us sit around on sup pay while ajob that may or may not be there dry up. The union states that NO OTHER JOBS EXSIST in other GM plants for us to go to, SO WHY PUTOUR NAMES ON THE NATIONAL HIRE LIST WE WONT GET PICKED UP.
GM told EVERYONE that they were SO HAPPY at the results of the attrition program, WOW 35,000 people...WE HAVE MORE THEN WE WANTED!!! According to our plant manager we better take the buy out or we will be sorry that we didnt (our union gives him credit for saying this, he was being honest!!!!! end quote) The company knew the numbers of employees they were shooting for, why didnt they tell us? We asked our plant manager on numerous occasions what was he shooting for on plant population and he WOULD NOT TELL US!!! How can any person make a life changing decision without all the facts??? I took the infomation I was given and decided against the buyout....then the day before the offer expired the company told us that we did not get enough people in skilled trades to take the buyout...we need more to sign up...the original number for my dept was reduced well over 50%. Now according to the newspapers ALL skilled trade are at risk...skilled trades being reduced from 23% of the companies total to 10%?? That will leave just the electricians...Trying to act like Toyota???? PLEASE GM you are setting up for FAILURE... WHY DONT YOU FOLLOW TOYOTAS OTHER MANAGMENT STYLE THEY ONLY HAVE A 5% SALARY POPULATION!!!!!!!!! Then you can create some real profits, MY LIVELYHOOD IS AT RISK WHY!!!!!!!! Thanks for letting me post this maybe some good can come from it!!

Untitled Comment - Posted at 07:19 on Friday, March 2, 2007 by Anonymous
<a href="http://www.futureoftheunion.com/images/uaw/test.jpg"><img src="http://www.futureoftheunion.com/images/uaw/test.jpg" alt="2007 UAW Rank-n-File Demands" /></a>

March 4, 2007

2007 UAW Bargaining Convention Rank-N-File Demands
by Future of The Union & Soldiers Of Solidarity

<strong>2007 NATIONAL CONTRACT DEMAND</strong>

Eliminate 2 Tier wages and benefits from Big Three parts plant spin-offs such as American Axle, Delphi, and Visteon bringing the 2 tier up to the first. Stop use of temps to undermine wages and benefits and our union. Right to strike against outsourcing, layoffs, plant closings, and to enforce 1-for-1 attrition replacements.

No whipsawing. Eliminate all language that encourages Local Unions to compete against each other by making concessions.

The UAW demands that Ford & GM pay the 3% wage increase that was due in Sept. 2006. This wage increase shall be paid retroactively and shall be in addition to any new wage increases negotiated in the 2007 contract.

The UAW demands that Ford & GM pay the full cost of health care for retirees and eliminate the VEBA. All premiums, deductibles and co-pays for retirees shall be eliminated.

The UAW will not give up any concessions in the 2007 contract.

COLA. Full restoration Cost of living formula including the cost of health care. Restore retroactive pay from previous diversions from Cola. COLA on Pensions.

POST TENTATIVE AGREEMENTS ON INTERNET. Post full proposed contract on-line, two weeks before the vote.

HEALTH CARE. Restore option of "Blue Cross Traditional" coverage. Increase dependent cutoff age. Full mental-health coverage parity.

VACATIONS. Match Canadian Big 3 vacations and other paid time off.

APPRENTICESHIPS. Increase apprenticeships. Fill journeyperson positions with apprenticeship graduates. Give weight to seniority, not just tests.

HEALTH AND SAFETY. Collective right to walk off unsafe, unhealthy jobs.

RETURN TO THREE-YEAR CONTRACT. More chance for improvements.

REPRESENTATION. Improve ratio of committeepersons to members.

UNIONIZATION. If operations are spun off or outsourced, in the US or abroad, automatic recognition of union.

Benefit guarantee from GM covering in full all Delphi Retirees including future GM Retirees whose pensions credits were transferred to Delphi in 1999.

No overtime in a location where there are indefinite layoffs. No mandatory overtime.

Six personal days per year which do not require prior approval or medical excuse.

No ratification of National Agreement until ALL Local Agreements are ratified.

Traveling Soon? - Posted at 12:14 on Sunday, March 11, 2007 by Anonymous
Soldiers of Solidarity- I am struggling with what you actually do. It seems that you really do not work WITH union leadership or with unions, but you create caravans to broadcast issues as you see them. You raise money on these caravans to go on more caravans, etc. etc. ad nausea. I think I smell a scam here with the name of the union and the American Flag draped all over it and it makes me sick. Some of your comments simply make no sense!!! Anyone with the ability to read or even listen to the news understands the state of the world in relation to international trade, etc. CEO’s make too much money- granted that- and striking over that would do my soul some good- but you are advocating the denial of common sense, and promoting no concession at the expense of the worker and the working class- YOU end up being the de facto excuse for companies to move to China. YOU should understand this- and that companies can and do move to India and China every day- and radical union activity only makes it worse. Have you ever read “The World Is Flat?” If not it is time you put down you travel agenda- read a book, and start working with Union leadership to come together with companies and work on solutions- rather than motivating discontents. Shame on you for how you have spent the money you raise, your short-sightedness, missing the point of CEO salaries, etc. You have missed the mark and are severely hurting the ones you claim to help. Soldiers of Solidarity- you keep it up- there will be no one left to bond with- but I’ll bet you will raise money for your next trip to Germany!

Traveling Soon - Posted at 09:32 on Sunday, March 11, 2007 by Anonymous
I often wonder how many of these people get elected in there own plants. If there way is the light, hope and future for all of us then why do they not position themselves in the plants where they can make a difference instead of on these websites they set up to "show us the light"? We all have an understanding of what position we are in, and trust me it is not a position of power. I hump it everyday on the assembly line for close to 30 dollars an hour, I want to keep my paycheck coming in everday and for these people to have the nerve to tell me if we don't take a stand the end will be near. Hello! The war has come to our own soil, and we are losing....the old school strategy has not won any battles for some time now, it is time to change strategy and for those of you who want to follow the same path that has got us in this position, stay out of the way.

Concessions.....Why not give back these? - Posted at 05:28 on Saturday, March 24, 2007 by Anonymous
Ok, how about the legal aid program? I wouldn't use them for more than a simple will. If they were any good they would be working for theirselves!
<br>
<br>Ok, How about that FamilyCare thing. Most all that information is on the web or available from other community resources. Give it back!
<br>
<br>Now, I have really have to wonder about this. THey just offered tuition reimbursed classes on how to build a race car chassis and another one for some kind of carburetor. We've also had something about buy a power washer and rebuild it. WHAT THE HECK IS THAT all about? Who is getting the kickbacks from these programs. Do they have this stuff at your plant? Honestly, when the money was flowing, well ok, but NOW?
<br>
<br>TAKE IT ALL BACK........JUST leave me my job, my paycheck and my benefits......I'll find my own babysitter thank you very much!

Ford outsourcing - Posted at 01:53 on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 by Anonymous
Ford is outsourcing, bringing in TDS to do the shipping and receiving at its 18 mile rd and 32 mile rd plants.The jobs will be UAW, but the pay for these guys is 10 bucks an hour!What UAW rep would negotiate a deal like that?His pockets neeed to be checked.And how do I know? I was offered a job with TDS and when I found out the pay I told them to shove it somewhere!More than 50 jobs are being filled, how many laid-off Ford workers would have took these positions?We'll never know unless word gets out!

Response to traveling soon - Posted at 11:51 on Wednesday, April 11, 2007 by S.O.S. Stacey
At first I thought you were inferring that we were some sort of tinkers. Then I realized that you were talking about the Christmas caravan we supported going to Elkhart In. so some lazy loafing 2 year olds could get a few toys and some good eats for the holidays. Those little brats better start learning to fend for themselves. After all this is free market America.
<br>Furrthermore I dont know what your common sense tells you, but mine tells me that when I help feed the beast, I'm gonna be there for my fair share at carving time. If someone or something tries to swindle me out of it, I'm gonna call my brothers and sisters for help. Thats what Soldiers of Solidarity is about. They ain't gonna say take the the bones and the gristle and shut up like so many of you guys out there do. Thats not what being a union member taught me. Thats not what my Grandpa got his ass kicked for. He didnt except defeat nor do I. The companies and the media were telling him the same doomsday bullshit that your spouting off today. If anyone in a union leadership position feels that way then they dont have any business holding office.

lansing ass plant - Posted at 10:06 on Friday, April 13, 2007 by Anonymous
welcome to all delphi folks. A good number of us in
<br><br>652 know that our local has beome true corp partners
<br><br>whipsawing away our good jobs,turning there heads
<br><br>and not wanting any conflict with managment.I have seen some of your blogs and feel your pain.Our younger members need to be inforned you can help
<br><br>with this process by talking to them about solidarity.
<br><br>Resist gobs when they turn there head demand they write grivences and proccess them. The members of our local face an uphill battle with the gobs help us
<br><br>remove them in 08.
<br><br>.

Transferred from Delphi - Posted at 09:25 on Monday, May 28, 2007 by Anonymous
I decided that a transfer to GM was my best option. I am (was) a skilled tradesman at Delphi. I figured with all the attrition at GM with a 99 seniority I might have a shot at getting in the trades. I transferred to an assembly plant, in Texas. After being welcomed with open arms (and assigned to the line) I am sad to say that I will never again see the trades in the UAW. Needless to say I due to my seniority and the continuous assault on the skilled trades, my days as a journeyman for GM are over. I would, however, like to tip my hat to all those who have worked on " the line". I had no idea the amount of commitment, hard work, pride and dedication you all have. For those who have never worked on an assembly line I can say that words do not describe this type of work. Until you actually do it you just won't understand. I wish all my brothers and sisters the best and God's blessings.

Untitled Comment - Posted at 05:12 on Wednesday, June 20, 2007 by Johnny
My grandfather participated in the sit down strikes in the late 30s as a young man of 18 years old, at the time he didnt know hardly any of his fellow workers, but he felt in his heart it was the right thing to do at the right time, he was absolutely correct, my grandfather passed away April 30th,he was 86 years old, the last couple years of his life he continued to talk to me about what a shame it was that everything that was put on the line by these individuals during the sit down strike, means absolutely nothing today, our unions are more than willing to disregard the struggles these brothers took part in to give all of us a better tomorrow, when and why did we stop fighting for tomorrow, it has become a fight for what we HAD, Gregg Shotwell, my grandfather never had the opportunity to meet you in person, I wished you 2 could have met, he knew about your organization, he had mixed emotions, but the bottom line was continuing to fight for tomorrow, I promised my grandfather I would fight his fight he bravely took on in the 30s, this UAW brother will not sit idly by as our efforts are thrown away like yesterdays newspaper, I hope many of you here too will join with greg as we fight for justice in the workplace, thank you gregg and SOS for all you do

Sincerly

Johnnymars

Apathy - Posted at 04:00 on Thursday, June 21, 2007 by Anonymous
Why do you suppose so many working class people are convinced to vote against their own interests, when tempted by knee-jerk issues like gun control or gay marriage?

According to Howard Zinn, author of "People's History of the United States" (which, by the way, I highly recommend to anyone interested in the truth), there have been violent conflicts over workers' rights since before this country even declared independence. And I mean incident after incident that is well-documented. Where did this spirit go? Did unions actually undermine this struggle by encouraging complacency?

What do you suppose would happen if there was a sit-down strike today? I bet someone would get shot.

Untitled Comment - Posted at 08:22 on Saturday, June 23, 2007 by Anonymous
SOMEONE SAVE US!!!!

SAP (Pre-retirement) - Posted at 11:56 on Monday, June 25, 2007 by Anonymous
I took the "pre-retirement" package a year ago on the advice of my local union! I'm in chapter 13 bankruptcy now and my home is being foreclosed on! I went through quite a bit of my PSP savings prior to bankruptcy. My wife has recently developed health issues that prevent her from working! We tried to petition the court to convert to chapter 7 but the bankruptcy trustee as much as accused us of "playing the system" , where we convert and then my wife goes back to work! Amazing how we get accused of "playing the system" and it's a foregone conclusion that the parties in Delphi's Chapter 11 are "playing the system" and winning! I live in area where the prevailing wage is around $7.00/hour and employers are openly hostile to unions! As I'm still an "active" employee, I'm also an active UAW member which closes many doors for me! Thanks to Delphi and the Federal Courts, we will be in worse financial shape than 28 years ago when I first hired in! The courts pander to the wealthy and corporations while screwing the hell out of the people on whose backs the companies made millions! Only in America! It sucks!

the proposal - Posted at 12:22 on Tuesday, June 26, 2007 by Anonymous
anybody thinking about voting yes on this crap needs to step back and look again

athens, al vote - Posted at 01:35 on Thursday, June 28, 2007 by Anonymous
i would just like to take a minute and let everybody know how our vote is going here at athens, al delphi. we have all elected union officials with the exception of one who are actually telling the new hires as they walk in to vote yes. they are telling them that if they don't vote yes then they will lose everything. i asked brother freeman in a meeting monday what will happen if we vote the new contract down his response was i don't know....everybody knows what should happen when a contract is voted down you renegotiate. its a sad day when you have union officials misleading brother and sisters.

thanks greg demike, keith ligon, daniel gibson just to name a few

Delphi Lockport vote results.... - Posted at 11:27 on Thursday, June 28, 2007 by Anonymous
We overwhelmimgly voted NO....the numbers were(roughly) 1100 No, 300 Yes. That is Skilled and Production combined. Seperately, Trades voted it down too. Now I anxiousely await the results from our Brothers and Sisters at the other Delphi plants to see if they were willing to send a message to the International and Management that it was time to get back to business....we aren't fools! I did hear today that the International was concerned that the Proposed Contract wasn't going over as well as thay thought it would, heh, heh! Our local had told the International that they weren't supporting this Cotract and as you canb imagine, that didn't sit well....it's good to see our leadership doing what we elected them to do, not what the International bullies would like them to do!

Delphi Saginaw Vote - Posted at 05:11 on Saturday, June 30, 2007 by Anonymous
I was very disappointed in our vote Thursday and our locals support of the contract. We were also informed that if the agreement was not ratified that the international refused to go back to the bargaining table. They had all ready spent two years on it and they were done. So no matter what we said the international did not have our back. I also heard that our President Mike Henley was going to get a nice international appointment if it passed. Time will tell. Ofcourse I voted NO but as you all ready no we were out voted.

Delphi vote - Posted at 09:15 on Tuesday, July 3, 2007 by Anonymous
I just wanted to say that I too am disappointed in the outcome of the vote. When I heard of the Lockport results, I thought maybe we had a shot of turning it down. How wrong I was. I am not asking to break the bank, but as a new hire, all I got was a decrease in my pay scale while "traditional" employees GAVE themselves a nice pre-retirement bonus. I would have liked to have my dental benefits kick in ASAP and vision and perhaps a better health care package. They could have used the $105,000 per traditional employee and used it towards that. Instead, greed took over. It's a shame when several people I talked to that voted yes said they were scared if it didn't pass, thanks to the comments made by our elected representatives. Since when was fear a tool used against us by our union. I voted down the contract as it was totally one sided. Like I said, I wasn't asking for the moon, but in reality, the new hires didn't get anything out of this sham of a contract. By the time this contracts expires, those traditional employees will be long gone, with their little "bonus". Thanks for representing then "ENTIRE" membership,

skilled trades buydown yea or nay - Posted at 09:16 on Wednesday, July 4, 2007 by Anonymous
I'm looking for some real advice on the buy down being offered. What am i giving up by signing up for it? If enough traditional employes don't take it do you think something better will be offered later?

dates? - Posted at 04:22 on Tuesday, July 10, 2007 by http://blueracine.blogspot.com/
Forgive me if there are big dates posted on your articles and I can't see them....it wouldn't be the first time. So, I have to ask, where are the dates to be found?
I was at Delco before it was sucked up into Delphi. My father died just after early retirement and my best friend never made it to retirement when she died, as did many, many others from my Delco plant in Oak Creek, WI. I left early on a VTEP buy out. Another close friend of mine just retired, with her husband, from Delphi last year, the moved from WI to the warehouse in MN.
Thus my interest in Delphi and UAW.
My old plant had less than a decent Health and Safety UAW rep. Later he was replaced, but not until the amount of deaths became public discussion fodder. I have many mixed feelings about the UAW.

Reality Check - Posted at 01:36 on Sunday, July 15, 2007 by Anonymous
Wage controls never work, and they lead to jobs lost or higher prices for consumers. The question you have to ask yourself is this: "How much is your job worth on the open market"? Does a company get as much in returns to the corporation as the service you provide to it?
<br>
<br>If you were to close a plant's doors and put up a sign that said " $12/hr with no benefits", how many people would line up outside that plant for a job? I would be willing to bet that you would have no problem filling the plant up with employees. If you were able to fill the plant with these $12/hr employees, then what does that tell you about your job's worth on the open market?
<br>
<br>It's tough to swallow, but unfortunately it's reality. We need to forget about the good ol' days 30 years ago and realize that the global market is not going away, either we change, or our competition will swallow us up.... our competition is up all hours of the night, while we sleep, thinking of ways to win. Unfortunately for us, the game will not be won by wages (including benefit compensation) that are not aligned with their proper worth on the open market.
<br>
<br>We can keep making excuses while our competitors continue to rack in the dough... or we can step up, and make the big changes that are necessary to help the American auto industry prosper. Why do we continue to point our fingers at members of our own company? ...we are pointing them the wrong way. Start pointing them at our competition and let's make the changes necessary to put these companies in our dust.

UNION MEMBERS DID IT THIS TIME - Posted at 11:53 on Thursday, July 26, 2007 by Anonymous
I do not work at a union facility... but the UAW has done it this time...What has happend at Delphi and what WILL happen in upcoming Big 3 talks.. Will have a huge negative impact on the entire country.. I don't blame the companies, they are looking out for themselves, like they always have... The UAW is supposed to be the balance looking out for the workers. When I say UAW...I mean every Union member out there, because you could have stopped what was happening...but did not. Hopefully the give-aways will be a cycle that can be turned around in a few years, because they will happen(again), during these contact talks. Shame on everyone of you.

LET'S HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS!! - Posted at 10:44 on Saturday, July 28, 2007 by Anonymous
Support the UAW at:

http://detroitstateofmind.blogspot.com

Delphi, Lockport - Posted at 08:15 on Friday, August 3, 2007 by Anonymous
So we rejected the national contract with a No vote.
<br><br>The contract passed anyway, all our temperary skilled trades are now premenant, now the layoffs begin! 24 are laid off so far! This started on 7-23-07 a Monday, it just so happens that our union reps. were at region 9 getting chewed out for not supporting the "vote". Yes its in gervence but we are told nothing will be done because all company and union people are in negotiation for our local agreement. How come the news isn't all over these layoffs? I guess Delphi needed a little extra $ to help build the new plant in the low wage country. I guess our global econemy is working quite well, may be soon we eill be able to get aid $ instead of us giving $.

When The Street Calls You Out.... - Posted at 05:56 on Wednesday, August 8, 2007 by Anonymous
You see the promises were really just empty..
and the street whispers your name

Goverment leaders say one thing and do another... You want to vote but all of the candidates are money bought and not running by popular vote and they also are not worthy..
and the street speaks your name....

Healthcare companies in the USA show record profits while Canadian and other countries keep costs in check and the public healthy...
and the street calls your name...

Big Oil buys up Congress and we pay and pay and pay, while the goverment avoids diving into renewable and bio fuel like its muddy puddle..
and the streets yell out your name...

Your brothers smile and say "we have your best interest's at heart". "We must adapt to save the company and become competitive" But they are in a survival mode. People do drastic things to survive...
Like moving offshore with the profits...
And the street is beckoning to you.

I've had enough and it is time for the 60's again.
The streets are where the change must occur. Large populations have to show the leaders of this country that we have had enough!

Newark Assy - Posted at 07:48 on Friday, August 10, 2007 by Anonymous
I work at Newark Assy. in Delaware. Our Plant is Slated to Be IDLED in 2009. We are the only plant that builds the Dodge Durango. Among the many rumors circulating around our plant is that we will definitely get another vehicle in our plant. My view on this and the view of many of my coworkers is that this is management and the UAW blowing smoke up our arses in an attempt to, in the case of management, keep quality up and, in the case of the UAW keep hope alive so that the Local and International contracts will be approved. If our plant's membership felt they had nothing to lose then neither of these objectives would be accomplished. There is also a rumor of another round of buyouts and early retirement packages being offered sometime in Sept. If the concessions mentioned on this site and many others are ratified we will soon have plants manned by $10-$12 per hour temp. employees with no benefits and a miniscule UAW membership with absolutely no power. Membership needs to wake up and vote NO to the contract and YES to a strike. The threat of moving our plants overseas really does not apply anymore because management will eventually do it anyway. We cannot compete with wages of $2 or less. As many posters have already stated it is time for a massive movement in order to get our message to our leaders in management and the UAW.

Negotiations for Suppliers - Posted at 07:12 on Wednesday, August 22, 2007 by Anonymous
We have been in negotiations since June 15th when our contract with Lear corp. ran out. It's been a tough fight combating both the company and the UAW international. First the international talked to us about a multie tier system with pay rates from $10 to nearly $20 per hour. If you were a janitor you were at the low end fork truck operators, and all non production jobs $13 per hour and production jobs at 19 and some change. We were told by international that they planed to do the same industry wide. We did not except there plan and decided that all brothers and sisters would gain or lose together. When we tried to explain to our reps. and directors that we had a responsability to protect the body they very bluntly told us and the company that the international did not care about protecting the people they were here to protect the jobs. In many of our discussions outside of the companies hearing, we were told that if the people we represent didnt like what was going on they could quit, and that some one else could do there jobs. As of this date we are still negotiating and we have been told that we will get consessions. That the international will not sanction a strike, that they will take care of things by putting pressure on Ford to pay all supliers the same rate. Sounds great except that the international has lowerd that rate 3 times now. Lear corp who we work for has posted a profit of over 300 mill so far this year and projects 640 or more by year end. Of that amount our division which is seating will make 211 mill for this company. These are there numbers that they have published. When we ask our international why we should take a cut when Lear brags about how much they make we are told not to believe those numbers. What I really dont believe is our Union. In 17 years we have always paid into a strike fund and now we are told that taking cocessions wont hurt that bad. Wll Ive got news for the international the gloves are off, we are only asking to freeze our contract as our plant closes in 2 years or less any way . If they will not support us after we have supported them we will strike any way, and let the chips fall were they fall. Good Luck to all in this terrible year of contract negotiations. Stand together what ever you do, back one another even when the international wont.

health insurance package - Posted at 09:01 on Wednesday, September 5, 2007 by Anonymous
I haven't always suppoeted the unions because of the tom foolery that has gone on in the past, but I do now. My opinion is this. As a union why don't you say that you'll take the same coverage a management. Pay 25% of your premeiums and take a 20-30$ copay on office visits. That the same as 90% of insured Americans. That should then stop the bitching from the extreamlly large and over paid mgmnt. Then there's nothing to bitch about everybodys the same and you'd gain the support of the non union nation. Then let's see mgmnt weassel the blame on you guys. Hell 90% of the country opperates on 1980 wages you guys included. With this move you'd back mgmnt in the corner. They could no long blam the union and health care. I pay that my retired mom pays that if you guys offered that up there's only one cost cutting measure left. The size of mgmnt and their pay scale because that the only thing that's growen in this country in the last 25 years god bless and good luck because your middle americas last chance.

wages - Posted at 09:20 on Wednesday, September 5, 2007 by Anonymous
Yes our counrty has gone to hell. Polatitions make outragous money for part time public service. Corprate excs make way way to much money. Like Steve Miller, I mean come on any idiot can say hey lets trim our work force but not to the tune of 3 mill / year. Beside if the union doesn't make the parts and all the plants close who are these over paid jokers gonna manage. We the shrinking middle class support this country not the rich minority. WE BUY the cottages,boats,snowmobles,classsic cars ect ect we are the back bone of the counrty not the rich give it to me for free jokers. It's time all Americans strike or it's gonna be a two class society. I Michigan the think tank in midland came up with raise taxes. That's it from a bunch of brainiacks any one with a 6 grade education can come up with that. The problem is the same as the reason the unions started to much corprate raping at the top and it needs to stop now. 2 olde ladies in SC go to jail for cheating the gov't out of 3 mill what about Cheany and Haliburtion, scotter libby have these corrupt execs they should all be in jail we would. How many average americans could get away with that. These people are a bad as lohan. It's time what's good for the goose is good for the gander. Americans need to stand up and fight before it's too late.

Untitled Comment - Posted at 09:52 on Wednesday, September 5, 2007 by Anonymous
I've been reading comments from 06 to present and I don't think people get it. If you were a small business owner showing a billion dollar loss like the big 3 would you be in business no you'd be history. Think about it last year GM we're going broke unless we get health concessions and one stroke of the pen and boom we're fine. People wake up in the 70's guy with 8-10 years in on the line made around 17-18/ hour. Today my buddy with 8 yrs in 17-18/hr 36 years later. Also how can mgmnt justify their pay there the ones who negociated the contracts that they now say are destroying the company. Is that realy worth 2-3 mill / year. NOT. the only thing that's growen is the size and complexity of mgmnt along with their pay scale 90% of our country is living on 1980 wages and it stinks. You guy need better representation Like the strink in flint awhile back and the union bosses are in Tihiti for a conference. How about the Hamtramick Hoilday inn not vegas or any place else but then again your Mr.G finger is in a mgmnt position with the pay and perks while you guys are busting hump on the line. No representive should have or make more the the people they represent. Be it a union leader a corp exec polotition ect. That's why we left King George and that's why you need this site and sos fight the fight other wise it will be America home of the haves and then everybody else. I'm telling you all now a depression like no other is coming. The numbers that caused it in the 30s were surpassed in 2005. Why because 28% of the population held 80% of the money. Now it's 35% hold 89% of the money not good, not good fight people fight before it's to late good luck and god bless

Chairman - Posted at 12:00 on Friday, September 14, 2007 by Anonymous
How can you effectively be a part a local when you have a chairman that is litteraly screwing a committee person that applied for a management position?? I have lost a great deal of respect for this locals so-called "leader ship" it is't even funny. I ahve heard all the excuses that management has given to the Union for the past 70+ years from our chairman in the past 3 years. He is trying to force people to transfer to another shop that is going to be sold to the highest bidder. Steering Gear. I have been with the U.A.W. for the past 10 years and m looking to leave the family. I wish it would not come to this but it has. I can not effectively work knowing that my Shop Baargaining Committee is selling me out to TRW and Delphi. Not to mention the INternational has told our local not to talk to TRW because of a pissing contest in Kentucky. I am going to get the short end of the stick on this!!!!!!!!!!! So to all my true Brothers and Sisters I bid you fare well and good luck. I only wish you the best in the fight and look to be victorious.

Strike - Posted at 04:08 on Monday, September 24, 2007 by Anonymous
So the UAW strikes today. Unbelievable. You guys are destroying yourselves. There's a reason why car factories are being built like no tomorrow in the south and being closed in Michigan. Your methods of fighting for "job security" are only destroying jobs.

Untitled Comment - Posted at 09:03 on Tuesday, September 25, 2007 by Anonymous
This strike against GM,is a ploy by Gettelfinger
so that the membership will vote for his VEBA.

All the international reps should be put into VEBA too!

we the people - Posted at 12:06 on Wednesday, September 26, 2007 by Anonymous
<br>it's time to wake up and smell your shackles...
<br>
<br>the spirit of the American citizen died a long time ago...
<br>
<br>once fear set in, everything went downhill, really fast...
<br>
<br>today's "Americans" are afraid of everything....
<br>
<br>afraid of job loss,
<br>afraid of their snitch co-workers,
<br>afraid of their union bosses,
<br>afraid of their employers,
<br>afraid to speak "negative" against the machine...
<br>afraid of losing any modern comfort,
<br>afraid, afraid, afraid...
<br>
<br>all of these discussion boards are good for the few to rant as they please, but they have failed to provide the fuel to power the true spirit we saw in our forefathers...
<br>
<br>this is not the Alamo... there will be no heros in this battle, (the battle of the rich vs. the not-so-rich)... the working class vs. the non-working class...
<br>
<br>there is a way... and the workers hold it in their hands right now... the date is September 26, 2007 and the UAW has called a nation-wide strike against General Motors...
<br>
<br>all the workers have to do is stay out until they get what they want,,, from GM, and more importantly, from the International Union of the UAW.
<br>
<br>just stay out... stay out... stay out until you know exactly what's in the new contract... if the UAW says, "go back to work" everyone must tell them, "only when we know what we're getting" and only if it's what we want...
<br>
<br>but how many do you think will do that...?
<br>
<br>what are your fears saying to you now...?
<br>
<br>...that's what I thought.
<br>
<br>Signed,
<br>running from your shadow
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>

Untitled Comment - Posted at 12:07 on Wednesday, September 26, 2007 by Anonymous

it's time to wake up and smell your shackles...

the spirit of the American citizen died a long time ago...

once fear set in, everything went downhill, really fast...

today's "Americans" are afraid of everything....

afraid of job loss,
afraid of their snitch co-workers,
afraid of their union bosses,
afraid of their employers,
afraid to speak "negative" against the machine...
afraid of losing any modern comfort,
afraid, afraid, afraid...

all of these discussion boards are good for the few to rant as they please, but they have failed to provide the fuel to power the true spirit we saw in our forefathers...

this is not the Alamo... there will be no heros in this battle, (the battle of the rich vs. the not-so-rich)... the working class vs. the non-working class...

there is a way... and the workers hold it in their hands right now... the date is September 26, 2007 and the UAW has called a nation-wide strike against General Motors...

all the workers have to do is stay out until they get what they want,,, from GM, and more importantly, from the International Union of the UAW.

just stay out... stay out... stay out until you know exactly what's in the new contract... if the UAW says, "go back to work" everyone must tell them, "only when we know what we're getting" and only if it's what we want...

but how many do you think will do that...?

what are your fears saying to you now...?

...that's what I thought.

Signed,
running from your shadow

Fake Strike, Fake Union - Posted at 08:33 on Wednesday, September 26, 2007 by Anonymous
I can't believe this fake strike only lasted 2 days! What did we strike for anyway?

GM drops health care . . .
No more COLA for the life of the contract or longer . . .
2-tier . . .

Whoever wrote that this was just a ploy to get the contract passed was right. Hell, the region probably didn't even get out to sign people up for strike pay because they new it was a fake strike. I say, TAKE ANOTHER DAY OFF . . . SCREW THIS FAKE UNION AND THEIR FAKE STRIKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

The end of the Union - Posted at 11:54 on Wednesday, September 26, 2007 by Anonymous
I don't think the VEBA is a big deal, out of hands of crooks into the hands of crooks, darn thing is not funded anyway. At least now you can get ask for info from your union reps

The biggest issue I see ending the union, is the two-tier wage. I am not a Union member, but isn't this one of the primary principles of a Union - equal work = equal pay?

Don't forget, when you folks vote this contract in, the next time your contract comes up: The guys working besides you making $14.00 are going to lower your pay to theirs (Just like at Delphi). I guess then it will be equal work = equal pay.

Delphied - Posted at 11:57 on Wednesday, September 26, 2007 by Anonymous
I AGREE. IN THE NEXT CONTRACT OR SOONER, THERE WILL BE ONE TIER - THE LOWEST ONE. WE WILL ALL BE DELPHIED.

uaw-iue/cwa - Posted at 02:17 on Thursday, September 27, 2007 by Anonymous
hi. i work for moraine assembly in dayton ohio, while i am not uaw, we will basically have the same crappy contract shoved down our throats.i started 7 years ago at the second tier. we voted in a third tier last year... as our union said we would get a new product by doing so....well until after we voted for it.then they said they never said that.i am sick to my stomach over this joke of a contract. but you know the new saying in the plants....at least we got a job.im sick of it. i have fought and fought with my union and have been alienated in doing so.the union dont give a rats ass if you like it or not....they're all about the due money.which i've been told is going up 30 dollars a month jan.08. no one sticks together anymore.i got a job, i didnt want my kids working here anyway... i hear it day after day. i do know one thing... i cnat stand lying cheating... ron gutterfucker.he's in rick wagoner's back pocket. vote no. let em close all the plants. who will buy their shit? i wont.we are all weak and our forefathers are hangin their heads. i am ashamed to say i belong to a union......it used to mean something.

strike - Posted at 03:51 on Thursday, September 27, 2007 by Anonymous
This strike was a total setup by the UAW to try and push this contract down our throats and so they can tell us "we fought hard and this is the best we can do" If it wasn't setup why did we go back to work before it was ratified?? Wake up we are being sold down the river and and rapids are rising quickly.

new gm contract - Posted at 06:06 on Thursday, September 27, 2007 by Anonymous
If anyone is surprised by this pathetic new contract presented to you by Mr Gettlefinger and his incompetent cronies then shame on you. After witnessing the delphi debacle first hand it was obvious to me that this wimpering band of so called uaw leaders were going to lay down their arms and surrender without so much as a hint of a fight.The two day strike was a joke.What was that supposed to do, make Mr G and the boys look tough. PALEASE!!!!. This is the same man who talked tough during the Delphi negotiations and gave away everything while execs were being given bonuses.The GMcontract is simply a continuation of what this weak leadership has been doing for the last three years.

Betrayed - Posted at 06:23 on Thursday, September 27, 2007 by Anonymous
what irritates me most about this whole situation is that workers EXPECT the company to try to take advantage of them. We do not expect the organization that once stood up for workers, the organization that helped create the middle class, the organization that everyone was once proud to be a part of, the organization that back in the day, workers would say "I work for the UAW" - to join with the company in order to take away everything our forefathers worked so hard for and sacrificed to achieve. This is much harder to take when you're being BETRAYED.

GM contract - Posted at 10:40 on Thursday, September 27, 2007 by Anonymous
Watching cnbc and other cable news channels and reading the the comments in the written media the last couple of days by the so called buisiness experts,i would be very concerned as a uaw member.When these social elitest are giddy about how great a new contract this is. When do these econmic leeches and bloodsuckers have the interest of working class people in mind. As a former Delphi worker I listened to everything my union leaders said during the 1980"s and 1990"s. At Delphi Flint East we gave up and combined job classifications, everyone worked harder and did more work.We new the auto industry was changing becoming more competitive,so we went along with the idea that cooperation and working together more with management would be the best thing for saving jobs and securing the future of our plant.There were promises of maintaining certain job levels all well above the current level of 1000. My point is that from what i have heard so far about this contract it sounds like more of what i heard the last 20 years at Delphi, more concessions and more false promises. If this contract passes and it results in big cost savings for GM and car sales are healthy the next 4 yrs can tou imagine the huge bonuses and payouts that will be made to the GM execs. Read your potential contract carefully!!!!

GM/UAW Team - Posted at 06:31 on Thursday, September 27, 2007 by Anonymous
I am still a GM employee, after reading all of the issues put forth on our new contract in the media, I feel that as a skilled tradesman we have been sold out by the union. The Detroit Paper today noted that non-core trades employees will have a pay reduction to around $18 a hour. I am a Millwright and for the last two years we have been told that the company classifies us as "non-core business". So now I have to worry about losing $12 a hour??? Why??? BUT I will be given the CHANCE to transfer to a higher paying top tier wage job in production so that I may make decent earnings. SCREW YOU!!! I love what I do and in one form or another I have performed this type of work for 26 years. Why on earth would I transfer into a reduntant type job to be treated like a piece of machinery, to be made to work through break, and lunch to make sure that management has the parts they need to run the assembly plants??? This is happening at our plant now and I can tell you it will get worse before it gets better.
I just pray that the Production Workers will stand by their Skilled Tradesmen and Women AND VOTE NO to this clear and blatant sell out of the union work forces by our so called Union Leadership. Just remember that the leaders of this great union voted themselves a MASSIVE PAY INCREASE at the last convention in Las Vegas. But they give the Skilled Trades a PAY CUT, and ALL workers a PAY FREEZE!!!! To HELL with the High and Mighty Union Leaders....LETS TELL THEM "NO" TO THIS SELLOUT OF OUR JOBS. VOTE THIS CONTRACT DOWN!!!!!!!!

Does it matter? - Posted at 12:49 on Friday, September 28, 2007 by Anonymous
A sincere question....assume this contract gets voted down. I doubt the UAW would call another strike(since they support the tenative contact), so you would be working under old contract, correct? Assume a new contract, is something that GM does not want to live with.. What keeps GM from moving basically all production to other countries over the next several years and leaving all of you out of work? Its not like they really care, where the vehicles are produced.

Union - Posted at 12:59 on Friday, September 28, 2007 by Don't know
I work at a non-union plant, thanks to previous unions, I have decent pay(not like GM workers,but ok) and some decent benefits. What the UAW leadership is doing is very wrong.

I am very glad, I do not work for a union now. I can make suggestions to the president of my company, if I want, and sometimes things will actually change for the better. I am glad I do not have someone untrustworthy, being the middle man between the boss and me.

This mess, will hurt getting new membership. How can any UAW member suggest that the UAW(as is) would benefit anybody.

I wish the best of luck to you all

This is not your father's union! !

deja vu - Posted at 02:51 on Friday, September 28, 2007 by wentzville worker
I saw first hand what the UAW was letting happen to Delphi, so left for greener pastures and transfered back to GM here in Wentzville. Now they are letting it happen all over again. I moved my family for a better life, now there telling me I may not have enough time to keep my production job and get forced into a "non-core" job. So I'm back to square one with a big pay-cut. We are hearing at our plant that our illustrious union is going to wait until before or shifts wed to tell us the details then vote right away. I smell a rat. What are they hiding? VOTE NO !

All I can say is VOTE NO! - Posted at 05:53 on Friday, September 28, 2007 by Anonymous
There is still the last stand, we vote no we walk away from this gutting of our union and we fight the good fight. DO WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE!

GM UAW 2007 contract - Posted at 06:19 on Friday, September 28, 2007 by Anonymous
If only have of what I've heard is true, it only signifies to me that the UAW is a union in name only. The UAW is really a business - a business in partnership with other businesses, such as General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler. Nevertheless, a big THANK YOU to all the past UAW leaders, current and former UAW rank and file, and especially the retirees for giving me the opportunity to go back to college and finish up my Political Science major/Journalism minor all on General Motors dime!

unionfacts.com - Posted at 07:56 on Friday, September 28, 2007 by Anonymous
Go see what the new UAW corporation executives really do with the dues....

WTF! - Posted at 12:04 on Saturday, September 29, 2007 by Anonymous
UAW ETHICAL PRACTICES CODES
Approved by the 34th
Constitutional Convention
June, 2006

Business and Financial Activities of Union Officials
Any person who represents the UAW and its members, whether elected or appointed, has a sacred trust to serve the best interests of the members and their families. Therefore, every officer and representative must avoid any outside transaction which even gives the appearance of a conflict of interest. The special fiduciary nature of Union office requires the highest loyalty to the duties of the office.

3. No officer or representative shall have any substantial financial interest (even in the publicly-traded, widely-held stock of a corporation except for stock- purchase plans, profit sharing or nominal amounts of such stock), in any business with which the UAW bargains. An officer or representative shall not have any substantial interest in a business with which the UAW bargains collectively.

<<GM also will be required to pay cash interest on a $4.37 billion convertible note for the benefit of the VEBA. The fund's trustees will be able to convert that note to GM stock, which could be a windfall for the fund if GM's share price goes up. GM's active workers also will be required to contribute a small amount of their cost-of-living increases to the VEBA>>

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/070928/auto_talks.html?.v=23

A $4.37 Billion Convertible note @ todays closing price of $36.07 would give the UAW a 20% stake in the company

WTF!

.....

ARTICLE 2
Section 1. To improve working conditions, create a uniform system of shorter hours, higher wages, health care and pensions; to maintain and protect the interests of workers under the jurisdiction of this International Union.

I'm having a hard time seeing the uniformity of a two- tier wage system

WTF!!!

$14.00/hr. - Posted at 12:03 on Saturday, September 29, 2007 by Anonymous
$14 bucks an hour is the wage they pay illegal immigrants to wash windows and it's already been proven that autoworkers work in a contaminated enviorment and die younger than the general population.

GM does'nt care about Americans - Posted at 12:10 on Saturday, September 29, 2007 by Anonymous
It doesn't matter if we accept the new contract or not. They don't care about the American worker or consumer. They want to and are going to build and sell in Aisa. That's their goal.

Gm/Uaw contract - Posted at 02:15 on Saturday, September 29, 2007 by Anonymous
I would like to comment on our supossed new contract Hogwash!!! A sell out!! Ive been a uaw member for 12 yrs now ,Ive been at 5 different plants,Yes im what you would call a GM gypsy. I dont transfer just for the money,but for job security and a 15 minute drive instead of an hour to hour and half drive. I have read some of the NEW contract and am apaulled at some of the thing the UAW wants us to vote yes on. Hell NO!!, first of all they want us to vote yes on VEBA,I dont want the UAW bigwigs to be in charge of this!! And for all the temps @ LDT Lansing and elsewhere you should vote NO. They are counting on you to vote yes.Just think about what the people did back 40-50 yrs ago to get what we have now,and it seems we are always being bribed by these so called signing bonuses.I know you would like a job @ a Gm facility but its not gonna happen.The contract says LONG TERM TEMPORARY.

What are you doing? - Posted at 03:39 on Saturday, September 29, 2007 by Anonymous
I understand the questions.
I understand the frustration.
I understand the anxiety.
I understand no-one liking the deal.

I don't understand how you think your conduct will support organizing the transnationals.

I don't understand why only a few including Shotwell have actually tried to assist volunteer organizers.

I don't understand how you even expect to compete against our conditions in the transnationals.

I don't understand how the heck we are going to work towards solidarity unless you focus some of that energy toward helping us.

Even in his 1970 Convention Address Walter Reuther said " the union is really about conditions on the shop floor".

If your conduct spreads......the UAW is bust....and you don't have a prayer to get it half as good as you ever did without them.

Please unite with us and organize the transnationals and support the International and each other and set a good example......

Create an angry mob and you'll only help the ones who busted you up (Ogletree Deakins, Jackson and Lewis) and others only accomplish the distruction of the voice of the U.S. Auto Worker.

Indianapolis - Posted at 11:21 on Saturday, September 29, 2007 by Anonymous
Well, there telling us its a great contract! Did they mention on page 319 they sold our plant? What do you think? NO!

GM Contract - Posted at 01:03 on Sunday, September 30, 2007 by Anonymous
Cramer on CNBC said it best GM crushed the Union.They eliminated their health care burden & their 30 & out pensions for future employees.

Indianapolis - Posted at 01:13 on Sunday, September 30, 2007 by Anonymous
Worked at truck & bus in the late seventies sorry to see the plant be on the list to be sold or closed.That's why Serigo bailed to the International staff .
. .

UAW Workers - Posted at 11:46 on Sunday, September 30, 2007 by Anonymous
So many are worried about the companies moving our jobs out of the United States, They already have and will continue to do so even if you vote yes! Vote No ! Stand up and try to save some of our jobs and benefits by voting NO. I read another comment about our people not sticking together and I agree. It is amazing to me that we have only a few groups such as SOS that continue to fight and cannot get the backing of their other members. Even if we don't agree with everything at least they are willing to fight for our jobs. When are we going to stick together ( thats how our forefathers won) and fight for a common cause? Vote No !!!!

Union got what it wanted - Posted at 07:57 on Sunday, September 30, 2007 by Anonymous
The International got what they wanted out of these negotiation. Seeing how they continue to fail to grow or even maintain the level of membership, and thus the flow of dues to them, they are getting out of the business of representing us. They have decided to move into a new business that should provide a more stable flow of cash to them. They have decided to enter the money management business and GM will provide them with a nice sized nestegg to start. As an added bonus they may actually grow membership. GM can't wait to start filling our locals with tier 2 members. Once they outnumber us, GM can cut our wages for a few dollar raise to the tier 2 gang. They got what they wanted from GM and they only had to sell us down the river.

Retirees Health Care Benefits - Posted at 08:49 on Sunday, September 30, 2007 by Anonymous
I retired in 1990 from CPC. I was told that I and my wife would have continuing health care from then forward. At my retirement my health care should have been "red lined". If the present hourly workers want to accept something new with regards to their retirement then that is their problem. I see this as the same as Caterpiller in 1998, when they had the same thing happen to them. By the end of 2004 their union run health care was broke. When I was working at each contract time the retirees were taken into consideration. Remember: We all will get to retirement age someday. This contract what the retirees got was the old Gettel"finger". I worked well over 30 years for GM and this is their thanks to me and my wife. AND this is how the UAW stands behind their retirees. Note: When I retired I also had the retirees union dues taken out each and every month, and I still do. GM and the UAW do not know what the word Loyality means.

17% ownership!!! - Posted at 11:01 on Sunday, September 30, 2007 by Non-Core Corporate Whore
This is a direct violation of the UAW Constitution!

http://us.ft.com/ftgateway/superpage.ft?news_id=fto093020071816335982&referrer_id=yahoofinance

This contract sets up the spin off of MFD and every other non-whore plant

Big Corporation Greed - Posted at 11:20 on Sunday, September 30, 2007 by Anonymous
While watching the CNN News a couple days ago, they showed the Iranian President speaking at the U.N. General Assembly.When asked about Iran being an axis of evil, He said "The United States Government is an axis of evil for allowing Big Corporations and U.S. Companies to take away wages,benefits and healthcare from their OWN people." It's pretty sad when other countries ( even bad ones) see how Americans are being treated by the unions who are suppossed to represent them.

Untitled Comment - Posted at 08:52 on Monday, October 1, 2007 by Anonymous
dfghjdydytud

New Contract - Posted at 09:40 on Monday, October 1, 2007 by Anonymous
I am an ex-UAW member. I worked at the GM Wentzville Assembly Plant for GM from 1985 until 2001. I watched the decay of our local union at our plant. I watched as members drove their foreign cars and parked on the lot. Once upon a time this would not have happened. I watched the membership meetings get smaller and smaller. I tried to encourage my coworkers to attend but they were “too busy”. I followed the directions of my committeeman (who I did trust) and occasionally was thrown out for standing up for what I believed in. I believe that solidarity in the rank and file is minimal at best, at least in Wentzville, Missouri. I believe that corporate GM knows this hence the crappy contract.
I watched as the “good ole boys”, with the strong assistance of Region 5 director Jim Wells, set up cushy jobs for their friends, mistresses, and family members. This was done without the interest of the local membership in mind. I watched as our local president sold out his membership in order to secure himself a job at Region 5. This was done in order to secure a Caudle family member a cushy job. See Jimmy Wells and Jimmy Caudle (2250 EAP) are both members of the “good ole boy club”. Even though this Caudle family member was incompetent and never attended the local membership meetings daddy got him a job in the EAP office. This issue created such a division in the membership that hard core rank and file members stopped attending membership meetings.
The point is that the local membership needs to take back their locals. Stop the nepotism and the cronyism. Rebuild your locals and support American made products on your premises, and tolerate nothing else! The International UAW is weak because the local unions have become week. Strengthen them and in four or maybe eight years at contract times the UAW will truly be a forced to be reckoned with.
One last comment and I will quit. Remember those retirees fought to get you the great benefits you have today. They walked picket lines in the cold. They scraped money together to feed thier families during strikes. They worked hard in order to get the great benefits your international is losing for you with this contract. Protect them today because someday in the future you may need someone to protect you.

Good Luck

Marc

SAP - Posted at 01:51 on Tuesday, October 2, 2007 by Anonymous
I just wanted to let anybody know that if they are considering taking the Special Attrition Program "DON"T"..take it from somebody that has been on it. I took this special early retirement upon the advice from my union. I asked every question that I knew to ask as far as what my gross pay would be down to my take home....I WAS LIED TO. When I got my first check it did not come even close to what they had told me. It was right about half of the earnings I was told I would get. To make a long story short there is a special formual that they use to come up with your basic earnings. If you are even thinking about taking SAP ask about the formual they use in order to figure out your weekly check..And if they are HONEST I think you will walk away from it just as I would of!
<br>
<br>Sign,
<br>Just trying to keep you
<br>out and away from foreclosure

Union lied to you..... - Posted at 08:59 on Wednesday, October 3, 2007 by Anonymous
Well, Surprise! Surprise! Surprise! What I want to know is.... When was the last time they told the truth about anything? Sad to say but, I don't trust the UAW at all. I'm sorry you were misled. Thanks for telling us to beware. I had already made up my mind that I will stay to my 30