Local 2121 will be holding a special election, on Saturday, February 11, 2012, to fill the vacant Executive Office position of Sergeant-at-Arms. For deatils on our nominees, time and place of elections, click here.

Foxwoods management notified team members today of its decision to close the Norwich Lot and end all off-site shuttle service for team members.

Local 2121 became aware of management’s intent to take these actions prior to today. In response, we informed management that we would grieve this action, which we believe violates our contract. Our contract guarantees our members “free parking and shuttle service of adequate frequency” but permits management the discretion to change lot locations and shuttles provided the changes are not “arbitrary and capricious.”

Unfortunately, our position regarding the meaning of this provision was rejected by the arbitrator who denied our grievance two years ago when Foxwoods closed the Groton lot and discontinued most shuttle service from the Route 95 and 78 lots.

We are extremely mindful that management’s decision to totally eliminate off-site employee parking and bus service will cause serious hardship to some of our members—and many other team members. However, after consulting with our lawyers and local union officers, in light of the previous arbitration decision, we concluded that we would best serve our members by settling this dispute without litigation.

The closing of the Norwich lot and termination of the related shuttle buses will generate large savings for the enterprise. We have advised management that we expect to see a share of those savings recognized in our contract. .

As part of our settlement, management agreed to several measures directly related to the lot closures and parking issues, including an agreement by management to:
• Postpone the lot closure and the termination of bus service until February 29th;
• Take steps to help members find alternative transportation arrangements;
• Exercise leniency toward team members who have difficulty adjusting to the changes;
• Strengthen the benefits and protections for our members regarding the remaining on-site parking and transportation options in the current contract and the contract we are negotiating.
• Work with the UAW to pursue expanded public transit between Norwich and Foxwoods.

Our grievance settlement also includes resolution of several crucial issues relating to contract negotiations, including:
• The previously announced contract extension through March, 2012;
• A process which will let us begin interest arbitration quickly, should we be unable to reach a contract and should our membership authorize us to seek arbitration;
• Agreement to the Union’s position on a disputed job protection provision;
• Agreement to the Union’s position on a provision which will extend Family Medical and Intermittent Medical Leave eligibility to many otherwise ineligible members.

On a related note, I can report that we have several bargaining sessions with management scheduled for this month. We have settled a number of issues. The Union recently made an economic proposal and we are awaiting a response from management. We will be scheduling an open meeting for poker dealers to help us identify issues resulting from the toke separation that the bargaining committee should address in the negotiations. We are still working on proposals relating to health and safety issues and expect to be able to make proposals on these issues soon. The Union will have the right to request contract arbitration after January. We will keep members posted.

In Solidarity,

Mary Johnson
President
UAW Local 2121

DETROIT - Last night we heard President Obama issue a call to the nation and Republicans in Congress to work together to solve the nation's unemployment crisis and focus on strengthening the middle class by strengthening manufacturing. The president has demonstrated his commitment to creating an economy 'built to last' by restructuring the U.S. auto industry for the 21st century, while Republican opponents were willing to let it die and see millions of jobs lost. The recovery of the American automotive industry is one of our country's greatest economic success stories. Read more >>>

Media Advisory: Press availability on Tuesday Jan 17^th, approx 10:45 am

UAW Pres. Bob King,

Nat'l Wildlife Federation CEO Larry Schweiger,

BlueGreen Alliance Exec. Director David Foster

to speak in Detroit at U.S. hearings

on 54.5 MPG fuel economy

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For immediate release: Jan. 11, 2012

 

UAW-Ford to host second annual charity ball

 

DETROIT - The UAW-Ford National Programs Center (NPC) will host a charity ball Jan. 13, coinciding with the Charity Preview associated with the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) at Cobo Center here.

 

This year marks the second annual event for the UAW-Ford NPC, held on the eve of the Detroit auto show's Jan. 14 public opening.

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Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Our Union and Management have come to an agreement to extend our CBA until the earlier of March 31, 2012 or the date of ratification of a successor CBA.

Our Bargaining Committee continues to make progress in negotiations with Management towards our 2nd CBA and have confirmed bargaining dates in the upcoming weeks. I appreciate the Bargaining Committee’s dedication and hard work on behalf of our members.

Non-Economic issues have been our focus and we recently delivered a comprehensive Economic proposal to Management.
We will be posting a more detailed bargaining update shortly.

For now, I want to wish our members a very Happy New Year!

Mary Johnson
President

To our Regional Director, Julie Kushner, who was recognized by the AFLCIO for her outstanding leadership in the labor movement!! From the members of UAW Local 2121......thank you and congratulations!!

 

Click HERE! to join GimmeFIVE!

To see photos of UAW Region 9A local union members calling for the reinstatement of Ms. Park, CLICK HERE!

 

 

 

WASHINGTON - UAW Local 22 member Donald LaForest will be honored at the White House Nov. 3 as a Champion of Change. The recognition will come at the first part of a day of activities the White House is calling "Make it in America," which will bring together American leaders helping to create high-quality jobs in the United States.

The White House Champions of Change Initiative profiles Americans from all walks of life helping the country rise to the challenges of the 21st century. These Champions of Change are doing extraordinary things....

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