SCHEDULED DOWN WEEKS: FUTURE TENTATIVE DOWN WEEKS: The weeks of December 1st, 2008, January 5th, 2009 and February 2nd, 2009, February 9th, 2009, March 16th, 2009, (may change to March 2nd) and May 4th, 2009 are scheduled down weeks. Of course, this is always subject to change and any changes will be communicated to you as soon as we are aware.

The auto industry needs help in Congress right away – and if we do not get it, the jobs and benefits of hundreds of thousands of our active and retired members and millions of others Americans are at risk.

The House and Senate are expected to vote on legislation to provide an emergency $25 billion bridge loan to GM, Ford and Chrysler to help weather the current severe credit and economic crises. Without this assistance, there is a real danger that the three companies will run out of cash and be forced to cease all manufacturing and business operations in the near future.

A special banner on our website that reads, “Save Auto Jobs, Save Main Street” will direct you to a link that has information regarding the current crisis with many talking points for you to include in your own personalized message to send to your representative by email or you can use the following toll free number to call your representatives and senators: (877) 331-1223.

We encourage you to edit the email to express your own concerns about your job security, retirement benefits, and impact on your community, etc. Personal messages are more effective in reaching out to your elected representatives. We are also asking you to contact your friends and families, encouraging them to contact their representatives as well. Thank you for you efforts to save all of our jobs.

Premier Services Unit Election: Members will elect Shift Stewards for all three (3) shifts. Each shift shall elect two (2) Stewards. The top vote getter on each shift shall serve as the Steward. The next runner up shall serve as the Alternate Steward. The election will take place Sunday, December 14, 2008 from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM at UAW Local 2000 Union Hall, 3151 Abbe Road, Sheffield Village, Ohio. NOMINATION ACCEPTANCE FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE UNION HALL.

Letters of acceptance of nomination must include your name as desired on the ballot with your Social Security number which will be accepted either by hand delivery during regular office hours or by mail starting Monday, November 24, 2008 at 12:01 AM and must be postmarked no later than Sunday, November 30, 2008 at 11:59 PM.

DECEMBER ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES: Employees with unused vacation or personal time hours, pay ending November 25th will be paid on Friday, December 5th.

UPCOMING HOLIDAYS:
November 27th — Thanksgiving
November 28th — Day after Thanksgiving
You must work Wednesday, November 26thor have an approved absence to be paid for the holiday. December 24th through January 2nd – Christmas Holiday Period (returning to work on January 5th, 2009)

THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY CONVERSION: Eligible hourly employees who work and wish to convert the Thanksgiving holidays for November 27th and November 28th must do so by midnight on Friday, November 28th.

UNEMPLOYMENT INFORMATION: You must file for unemployment by calling 1.877.644.6562 or by filing online at unemployment.ohio.gov. Some information for filing your claim is listed as follows:

Please note: You do not claim any bonus, unused vacation or personal time as earnings to the ODJFS.

1. You must use the claim number (800899) provided by ODJFS for the week your layoff begins when filing for unemployment.

2. PLEASE NOTE: You must access the ODJFS website TWICE or call ODJFS TWICE to receive benefits.

3. Full details and instructions from the ODJFS are available in Human Resources and at the union hall. The ODJFS instructions will also be posted on our website at www.uawlocal2000.org.

4. PLEASE follow the ODJFS instructions carefully.

**Please start making your first call or visit to the ODJFS web site starting Sunday, November 30th but no later than Saturday, December 6th. **Your first call or web site visit is making application for unemployment benefits. **Your second call or web site visit is claiming your unemployment week. **The ODJFS instructions indicate the last day to make application is Saturday, December 6th. PLEASE do not wait until that date to file because if you do, you may encounter a problem that may force you to file late for your application.

SUB PAY/UNEMPLOYMENT DETERMINATION: Members who will be on layoff status and serving their waiting week will be denied unemployment and must take their UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT PAYMENT paperwork showing 0.00 (due to serving your waiting week) and the following page stating that you served your waiting week to Human Resources to file for SUB pay for your waiting week. Signing up for SUB this time will start your auto SUB for one year in case of future layoffs.

PAYCHECK INFORMATION: Paychecks for the pay ending November 30th will be distributed on Friday, December 5th by the main cafeteria in the administration building between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM.

VETERANS COMMITTEE COLLECTION: The Veterans Committee collected $2,333.00 at their annual gate collection on Thursday, November 13th. Thanks to all who participated in making it a great success.

CLOTHE-A-CHILD: Our annual collection will be held Friday, December 19th in the plant. Local 2000 and Ohio Assembly have historically been the largest contributors to the Clothe-A-Child. Please remember to bring a cash donation.

BENEFITS OFFICE HOURS DURING DOWN WEEK: The Benefits Representative will be at the union hall during the layoff period. Union hall office hours will be from 8:30 AM to 12:00 noon and from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

ANNUAL ANGEL TREE: The “Angel Trees” with gift tags for needy children will be located outside the main cafeteria in the main lobby by the paint office and in the old administration building cafeteria. All gifts must be turned in by the tree in which they were taken from by December 19th so the children will have gifts for Christmas. If you have any questions, please contact Annette Fuller at extension 1382 or Tom May at extension 1341.

UAW / FORD SHOPPING NIGHT AT TOYS-Я-US: Sunday, December 14th from 7 - 10 PM at the 1601 West River Road (Elyria) location. Family and friends are welcome. There will be refreshments and raffles and a 10% discount off purchase total, excluding gift cards, diapers, formula & video game hardware. If you apply for a TOYS-Я-US credit card, you will receive an additional 10% discount, which will bring your total discount to 20%. Raffle prizes and both 10% discounts are for Ford employees and their families only. Your Ford ID or UAW Retiree ID will be required to receive the prize and discounts.

ORDER BANK: As of November 24th, the Econoline Order Bank was 8,252.

THE NEXT MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP MEETING will be on December 14th, 2008 at 2:30 PM at UAW LOCAL 2000 Union Hall.

THE EXECUTIVE BOARD, CHAIRPERSONS, COMMITTEE STRUCTURES, APPOINTEES, OFFICE PERSONNEL AND I WISH YOU AND YOURS A SAFE AND HAPPY THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY.