SCHEDULED DOWN WEEKS: FUTURE TENTATIVE DOWN WEEKS: The weeks of January 5th, 2009, January 26th, 2009, February 16th, 2009, February 23rd, 2009, March 23rd, 2009 and May 5th, 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.

REMINDER: 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.

The plant will cease production for the Christmas holidays on December 23rd (at the completion of the 3rd shift) and will not resume normal production until January 12th (after the 1/5/09 layoff week). It is important that you understand the general eligibility rules on Christmas holiday pay:

1.  A seniority employee absent without excuse on either the last scheduled working day prior to or the next scheduled working day after the Christmas holiday period shall be ineligible for one of the holidays for which he/she would otherwise be eligible in the holiday period.

2. If an eligible employee misses both the scheduled day before and the scheduled day after, he/she will not be eligible for any Christmas holiday pay. If you have any questions concerning this provision, contact your Committeeperson or Chairperson.

3. Seniority employees who have gone on sick leave during the workweek prior to or during the workweek in which the holiday(s) falls shall receive pay for such holiday period. A seniority employee who is on sick leave when the holiday(s) occurs, who would return to work following the holiday(s), but during the week in which the holiday(s) falls, shall receive pay for such holiday(s).

120-DAY CLOCK: The 120-Day Clock will end on December 23rd, 2008.

COLA (COST OF LIVING ALLOWANCE): We have been advised by the UAW National Ford Department that the three-month average CPI-W for August, September and October 2008 was 207.73, resulting in a decrease of nine cents (-9¢) adjustment in the COLA float. Therefore, effective December 1st the total cost-of-living received in your paycheck will be nine cents (99¢) per hour.

CHECK PICK-UP SCHEDULE DURING THE HOLIDAYS: Paychecks for pay ending December 28th will be distributed on Friday, January 2nd, 2009 for all employees on all shifts. Employees can pick up their paychecks in the administration building between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM. Pay ending January Pay ending January 4th will be available on Friday, January 9th.

PREMIER UNIT ELECTION RESULTS: 1st Shift Steward: Frank DeMarco, Alternate: Ida Hess. 2nd Shift Steward: James Patton, Alternate: Gerald M. Romes and 3rd Shift Steward: Glenn “Red” Hall, Alternate: John O’Dell. Congratulations and the best of luck to all of you. We welcome all the Premier Unit employees to UAW Local 2000.

HOLIDAY CONVERSION: Eligible hourly employees who work and wish to convert the Christmas holidays for December 24th through December 31, 2008 must do so by midnight on Wednesday, December 31st. There will be another separate sign-up for holiday conversion for January 1st and January 2nd, 2009. You must sign up by midnight on January 2nd to convert these holidays. The books will be open in Human Resources during both weeks.

ORDER BANK: As of 12/17/08, the Econoline Order Bank is 8139.

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

1. You must use the claim number (801103) 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, January 4th but no later than Saturday, January 10th. **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, January 10th. 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.

UNION OFFICES CLOSED: Local 2000 (including the benefits office) and all UAW International offices will be closed during the holidays and will not reopen until January 5th, 2009. UAW LEGAL SERVICES will also close on Friday, December 23rd, 2008 and will not reopen until January 5th, 2009.

THE NEXT MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP MEETING will be on January 11th, 2009 at 2:30 PM at UAW LOCAL 2000 Union Hall.