OUR NEXT PAID HOLIDAYS ARE Good Friday, April 6th and the day after Easter, April 9th. The dates in the last bulletin were wrong. My apologies for any inconvenience, Tim Donovan.

The Presidents and Chairpersons Meeting in Detroit, Michigan was attended by Linda Kleinhenz, Chairperson Unit 3, and myself, Tim Donovan. Chairman Nick Gallogly was unable to attend. UAW National Ford Director Bob King discussed proposed cuts in the Joint Programs. The proposed cuts are caused by the loss of funding due to the decreased number of active workers because of retirements, plant closings, loss of shifts, layoffs and most plants working only eight (8) hours. The Joint Programs are in an unsustainable financial situation. Below are some of the things discussed at the meeting:

• We have been notified that effective March 31st, contracts for all fitness center staff will be terminated.

• Family Service and Learning Center (FSLC) child care centers to close by 6/30/07.

Proposed further cuts are as follows:

• Tuition assistance

• Rehabilitation centers – Shift cost to the company

• Education, Development and Training Program (EDTP)

• Eliminate ETC Coordinator’s position by March 26, 2007

• Continue Accredited Degree Program

• Freeze grants for plants for education fairs

• Skills Enhancement Program (SEP) – Learning Centers, to close as soon as possible

• Freeze on grants for plants for equipment and furniture for SEP Centers

• Moratorium on Retiree Training Assistance Plan for personal development assessments (PDA)

• Cancel NASCAR sponsorship

• The National Joint Committee is looking at further cutting on Joint Programs UAW/FORD staff

Joint Programs will continue to focus on Safety, Quality, Sourcing, Job Security and the Joint Apprenticeship Committee.