Day 8 - Bargaining Update

Good afternoon Brothers and Sisters,

Today your bargaining committee met with the company. After days of waiting for a comprehensive package from the company on the Union’s many counter proposals, and after our members showed out in force in red shirts yesterday, the company did provide a counter package today. Here is the summary of major changes proposed from previous company positions (Note: these are company proposals on the table, not agreements):

• Company made progress on paying members who are involuntarily sent home during shift due to lack of work or circumstances beyond the company’s control.
• Overtime - the parties had a small group discussion that was positive, but the company is still proposing to make overtime unequal by up to 30% (current contract is 10%). The company does not agree that 10% works, and wants to be able to issue points to members for accepted, scheduled overtime not worked even during week days.
• Leaves of Absence - the company is still holding on to their proposal to cut medical leave protection from 52 weeks to 26. After extensive discussion, the company confirmed after 26 weeks, members could lose their company health insurance and could be terminated after 26 weeks. the Union simply cannot agree to this major concession that would hurt our members when they are dealing with major medical issues like broken legs or cancer.
• Definitions - company proposals would make members not qualified for their position after they had been out of it for three years. Company proposal would prevent members from bidding into another department they’ve never worked in. This would prevent members from being able to advance themselves.
• Company has again rejected Union’s proposals on successorship and Job Security. The Union again reiterated we have to have major movement on these issues to get to a deal, and are open to comprehensive discussions and solutions that work for both parties. But we need the company to participate. Currently, the company still refuses.

What’s Next?

Tomorrow we deliver economics to the company. Because of our members’ solidarity we have so far fought off concessions. We still have major work to do, to keep the company from taking our seniority rights, fair overtime rules, and getting serious about securing our future work. We also need to continue standing together and taking action to win on our economic proposals.

Standby tomorrow for another bargaining update, and a UAW video that lays out what we’re fighting for in our members’ own voices!

In Solidarity, 

Your Bargaining Committee