The January General Membership Meeting will NOT be held on the third Sunday this month due to the celebration of the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday.  Instead the January 2012 Membership Meeting will be held on Sunday January 22, 2012 at 1pm.  At this meeting all Members in good standing will be nominated for election to the Local 245 Election committee.  Elections for Election Committee Members will be at the February 19, 2012 Meeting.  This election is conducted by the trustees per the local 245 bylaws.  Hope to see you at the meetings!

The Henry Ford Members ratified a new three year concessionary agreement last night by 55% voting yes.  While this agreement does not give much reason to celebrate it does secure jobs for three more years and the bargaining committee was able to reject tremendous concessions that the company initially wanted.  I applaud the members for taking the time to listen to the explanation and making a very difficult decision.  We understand and collectively share the same frustrations, concerns and outrages over some of the reasons the institution claimed they needed concessions.  What I did see yesterday was a uniting of members and their voices as a result of this tough agreement.  While we did not receive support from all areas we needed it, we did receive tremendous support from our regional office, members of other units and locals and other outside entities.  I am deeply appreciative to all that helped during this long contract process and am especially thankful to the bargaining committee for their hard work and the membership for their amazing resolve and understanding during this time.

The Henry Ford Ratification Vote is today!  We encourage all Members to come and vote on their new 3 year agreement.  Explanation Meetings will be at noon and 4 pm at Local 245.  Phones and Internet service has been restored at the local.  We still are awaiting insurance adjusters and have a good deal of clean up to do.  We are open and trying to function as normal. 

 

I am sad to report that over the weekend Local 245 had a bad flood.  The flood was due to the floor sewers backing up in the men’s room.  We found this Saturday night worked to get things stable only to return Sunday to find the flooding had resumed over night and ruined the majority of the main floor offices as well as the complete contents of the basement.  As a result we are working with Insurance companies and water extraction companies to clean everything but it is going to take some time to get things back to normal.  As a reuslt we have no phone or email service at the local and the hall will not be available until further notice.  We may also have to relocate Larry and I to a temporary office setting.  Alot of details need to be worked out and I will keep you posted as updates become available.  I apologize for this inconvenience but this is truly out of our hands.  Depsite all of this, the Kids Christmas party will still go on Sunday december 4, 2011 as planned.  Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding.

I wish for All …

I wish for All of our Members, Retirees and your families a very Blessed and Safe Thanksgiving Weekend.  Take time to give Thanks for all of our blessings and freedoms as well as remember those serving to make sure we keep those freedoms!

We have received  quite a few phone calls in regards to the Equity of sacrifice grievance hearings.  Those hearing are taking place at the National Program Center in Detroit before the Arbitrator on Thursday and Friday.  While those hearings continue a decision will not be reached this week.  The Arbitrator has about 45 days to make his ruling if there is no further information that is requested.  We will keep you posted on any updates or information we received but it will more than likely be awhile before we hear anything officially.  Thank you for your patience and continued support!

After another lengthy round of negotiations on Monday at The Henry Ford, we did in fact reach a Tentative Agreement!  This agreement comes five months after the June 12, 2011 contract expiration and many long and tedious hours of planning and meetings.  This agreement will be delivered to membership the week after Thanksgiving due to the many vacations that are scheduled.  The agreement does come with the endorsement of the bargaining committee.  Details will be available at the informational meetings that will be held at Local 245 along with the Vote the week of November 28, 2011.  We deeply appreciate the memberships patience and support through out this lengthy process.

HAPPY VETERANS DAY!  Brothers and sisters we are very blessed to have the freedoms we have in this great Country.  Take a moment today to remember a special Veteran. Offer your thanks to the Veterans you can for what we do have because of their service to our United States Military.  If it were not for those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, if it were not for those who served and for those that continue to serve we would not be the great Country we are and be as safe and protected as we are everyday!  I offer my sincere thanks and appreciation to all Veterans and their families!

CONGRATULATIONS to the UAW Local 245 members at Troy Design upon the ratification of their new three-year agreement!  In a vote today 83% of the members turned out to support ratification of the agreement!  This is a tremendous voter turn out and I thank each of you for participating.  The Membership did approve the tentative agreement by 98%!! I was proud to work with the TDM bargaining committee and especially proud of the TDM membership for their strong support during the negotiations!  Congratulations to each of you and Thank you!

Please join us for the 10th annual Rake the Town event Saturday November 5, 2011 at 8:30 am at Local 245.  We have done this event for nine years and raked leaves for Senor Citizens in Dearborn at over 150 houses!  This is a great event and there is nothing like seeing the homebound seniors so happy to have their leaves done!  We are usually done by 11 am so come out and join us!  We are still trying to reach and agreement with Then Henry Ford and return to the bargaining table Monday October 7, 2011.  Also on Sunday the Troy Design explanation and ratification meeting will be held at UAW Region 1-A  from 10 am until 1 pm.  Finally I attended a meeting at the UAW Ford National Program Center on Thursday to find out the anticipated start date for the opening of Premier/Voith National negotiations has not been determined exactly just yet.  They were able to confirm it will be following the Thanksgiving holiday.  The International union is having meetings to gain knowledge of how the contracts have been working and what changes need to be made moving forward in the next agreement.  I will keep you posted!  Have a great weekend.