UNEMPLOYMENT PROBLEMS: Due to the glitches in the ODJFS system, many members were paid unemployment either one or both weeks of vacation. The directions that were given to the membership on how to sign up for unemployment came directly from the ODJFS in Columbus. UAW Local 2000, the plant Human Resources Staff and Ford Payroll Services in Dearborn have been working together with the ODJFS office in Columbus to ensure that nothing like this happens again.

The issues with ODJFS paying members too soon created issues with the company’s auto SUB system. Ford payroll services is working to ensure that everyone’s SUB checks will be processed as quickly as possible. SUB checks are processed on Mondays and Thursdays.

• Eligible members who received less than eighty hours must take their unemployment payment documentation to the Human Resources Department to sign up for SUB pay, if you haven’t yet done so.

• Members who served their waiting week must take their unemployment payment documentation to the Human Resources Department to sign up for SUB pay, if you haven’t yet done so. 

• Members who were paid unemployment during vacation MUST keep an eye on the ODJFS mailbox. A few members have reported that they have been paid an extra week. If this happens to you, please call your ODJFS processing center.

INVERSE SENIORITY SIGN UP for periods of temporary layoff will take place for Skilled Trades, Plant Services, Material Handling and Executive Board members beginning Monday August 11th from 8:00 AM through Friday August 15th until midnight.

PRODUCTION SCHEDULE: As stated in Plant Manager Joe Lee’s letter, the weeks of 9/22, 9/29 and 11/17 are scheduled down weeks. There will be an additional down week in October, but the week has not yet been identified. Additional down weeks are possible if our volume does not increase. As always, production schedules are subject to change.

ORDER BANK: As of Monday, August 8th, the 2008 Econoline Order Bank was 3,732.

RETIREMENT AND INCENTIVE PACKAGES: Due to our extended down time, the open window period has not been set yet. As soon as all the information is made available to us, it will be published in the plant. The incentive packages are the same as they were the last time.

**UPDATE: DEPENDANT/ OPTIONAL LIFE INSURANCE REFUNDS: Members with direct deposit received a small deposit (ranging from less than $1.00 to under $10.00) into their checking accounts. This refund is from an overpayment from your optional insurance in either January or February.

LOCAL 2000 ANNUAL PICNIC CHANGES: Due to the additional down week, Local 2000’s annual picnic will now be held at Swings and Things in Olmsted Township on Sunday, September 21st. Tickets will be sold Friday, August 29th and Monday, September 2nd from 6 AM to 11 PM in the main cafeteria ONLY. Pricing on the tickets is as follows: $20.00 for adults (age 6+ years old), $8.00 per child (3 - 5 years old), and ages 2 and under are free. Tickets include all day admission, plus an all you can eat picnic buffet and beverages. There is a 10-ticket purchase limit per member.

LOCAL 2000 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR THE LABOR DAY CELEBRATION: Volunteers are needed for working the food line the day of the event. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Amy Jaynes-Brown, E.R.C., at 440.933.1244 or Linda, our secretary, at the union hall AS SOON AS POSSIBLE at 440.934.3151, extension 21 to sign up. If you leave a message please leave your name, phone number and shirt size. The first 100 volunteers will receive a commemorative Labor Day Celebration t-shirt.

THE NEXT MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP MEETING will be on September 14th at 2:30 PM at UAW LOCAL 2000, 3151 Abbe Road, Sheffield Village.