PRESIDENT: WALT DUVERNOIS 1-(810)-232-4136
Shop Committee Chairman: DON REINHART(810-237-4236)
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On October 22nd I attended the Annual Key Four Conference in Detroit where the top leadership of the UAW and GM met to roll out the state of the business. Both sides felt that GM was headed in the right direction. UAW President Ron Gettelfinger stated the most important thing UAW members could do to help the company was to promote our products.
Sometimes we are our own worst enemy by speaking negatively about GM. We must turn this attitude around and speak only positively.
GM Chairman Fritz Henderson commented on a poll that was conducted around the country. The poll asked what people thought of the letters "GM". The majority stated GM meant government motors, generous motors the bail out company, all negative comments.
In response to this, GM will change their advertising strategy. They will avoid promoting GM the company and turn the focus to GMC, Chevy, Buick, and Cadillac nameplates. We previewed some of the new commercials and they were all pretty good.
The installation of the new work is progressing well. Our Skilled Trades continue to do a great job on all the projects. Despite this, management has contracted out some work that we know we should be doing. We have had to write grievances to rectify this.
We have all heard about the shortage of steel. It may impact us because of slow downs and cutbacks in production at assembly plants during November and December.
Shortly, there will be a huge hole in the East Plant wall near the KL30 line. This has to be done to remove the KL27 and KL30 press lines. This will lead to smoke, dust and cold air. We will do everything we can to minimize this inconvenience. During this time, management will open the East salary parking lot to all employees.
I encourage everyone to attend The Western Round-Up to be held at Local 659 Union Hall on November 21st from 9 pm to 1 am. The Union Label Pancake Breakfast held on Sunday, the 25th of October, was a big success. Everyone had a good time and did not go away hungry.
During this deer season, I want to remind everyone to be safe, and have a great time.
/s/ Don Reinhart
DR:sh/opeiu#393afl-cio