Good News!

It is not very often that I have the opportunity to write about good news. Considering the economy and the soaring fuel prices, the auto industry is looking grim. Numerous plants are reducing their volumes, resulting in layoffs. Fortunately for us at Flint North, we are the exception!

When I took office, I committed to this Membership that we would focus on sealing the deal for our new engine plant. Phase One was negotiating the necessary framework for a competitive operating agreement that would pass the scrutiny of the General Motors Board of Directors, and we did that. Phase Two is getting the approval for the necessary financial funding for the facility. I am thrilled to announce that the money has been approved and we should be breaking ground in the spring of 2009.

 Insourcing to Factory #10

I have been having a lot of discussion with management about their responsibility to insource work to this facility. Much of our conversations have been generated around torque converter and shaft work. I am pleased to announce that we are now insourcing the oil pump shaft that was currently being made by the Hastec Co., to Factory #10. We will continue to put work on this site, one job at a time.

Factory #36 Sanitation

Unfortunately, not all our discussions have been on the topic of new work. Management has been getting very aggressive on instituting the National Agreement Initiatives regarding core and non-core work. They went as far as taking it upon themselves to announce that all Department 72 (Sanitation) responsibilities would cease effective July 1st.

It has been very difficult dealing with management on this topic. We understand the National Agreement outlines that we must exit this work, but I can guarantee you that it will not be July 1st, as management wishes. As a matter of fact, I am not interested in discussing this transition for Factory #36 when they are not scheduled to close until September. We have every intention on fulfilling our obligations regarding sanitation until then and on mutual terms.

Maintenance Phase II

The National parties have updated the Preventative Maintenance Phase II requirements. It seems the bar

keeps raising and it becomes harder and harder to maintain our status. Although it would be easy to give up on the program, it is in our best interest to make it work. We will be required to provide more documentation and greater use of Maximo. Informational meetings will be scheduled to educate everyone on the recent changes.

Special Retirement Incentive

The Special Retirement Incentives are in. They were 197 Production and 103 Skilled Trades, for a total of 300 members. The classification breakdown is as follows:

Machine Repair, 25; Electrician, 22; Pipefitter, 6; Millwright, 16; Instrument Repair, 8; Die Maker, 2; Tool Maker, 7; Test Mechanic, 3; Experimental Electrician, 1; Layout Inspector, 3; Machinist, 4; Stationary Engineer, 2; Tinner, 1; Auto Truck/Trailer, 1; Carpenter, 1; Building Repair, 1

Skilled Trades Jobs Bank

Effective 5/30/08, there were 76 Skilled Trades members in the Skilled Trades Jobs Bank, with the breakdown as follows: Millwright, 7 (Seniority to hold plant: 1/7/81); Tinsmith, 3 (Seniority to hold plant: 11/23/76); Carpenter, 3 (Seniority to hold plant: 4/30/77); Sheet Metal PE, 3; Exp. Parts Inspector PE, 1; Exp. Electrician PE, 3; Exp. Test Mechanic PE, 14; Auto, Truck & Trlr, Gas & Electric, 1; Machine Repair, 20 (Seniority to hold plant: 11/30/83); Electrician, 8 (Seniority to hold plant: 10/22/84); Pipefitter, 4 (Seniority to hold plant: 6/12/85); Toolmaker, 8; Layout Inspector, 1.

Skilled Trades Laid Off ............................... 12

Skilled Trades Seniority to hold Jobs Bank 8/2/93 Bank.

Production Laid Off .................................... 84

Production in Jobs Bank .............................19

Production Seniority to hold Jobs Bank 10/15/07 (OGM tie-breaker6/15//06)

Production Seniority to hold site working 10/15/07 (OGM tie-breaker 6/5/06