UNEMPLOYMENT INFORMATION: For those members who took a temporary lay off effective 1/9/06: The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) no longer has unemployment forms. 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 below. You must make your unemployment claim no later than Saturday January 14th, 2006.

1. You must use claim number 600004 when filing for unemployment.
2. PLEASE NOTE: You must access the ODJFS website or call ODJFS TWICE to receive benefits.
3. Full details and instructions are available in Human Resources and at the union hall.
4. You must claim the 8.0 hours for Monday January 16th, 2006 for the Martin Luther King Jr. paid holiday.

UNEMPLOYMENT DETERMINATION: Members who were on layoff status must take their ODJFS Determination Notice to Human Resources to file for sub pay for your waiting week. This will start your auto sub.

SPECIAL INCENTIVE PACKAGES: Representatives from the UAW National Ford Department and Ford Motor Company will be here from Wednesday February 8th through Friday February 10th, 2006 to present further information regarding the Special Incentive Packages. Benefit Representatives will also be present with individual documents for those eligible to retire. A special bulletin on the packages has been distributed throughout the plant. If you have not received one, it is available in Human Resources, at the local union hall and will soon be available on the Local 2000 website, www.uawlocal2000.org, with full details and meeting times, dates and places.

HEALTH CARE PROPOSAL RATIFICATION RESULTS: Nationally it was approved by 51% and rejected by 49% and locally it was approved by 64% and rejected by 36%.

HOURLY OPTIONAL EMPLOYEE AND DEPENDENT LIFE INSURANCE: Limited Open Enrollment Period. When: January 17th, 2006 through March 2nd, 2006 as provided in the UAW/Ford agreement. Active employees who currently have coverage under the Employee and Dependent Optional Life Insurance Plan may increase the amount of coverage one level only during the specified period regardless of their health history. To obtain the enrollment forms, contact the Optional Insurance Plan office at 1-800-742-8215. For further information please contact Benefit Reps Tom Orlando at 933-1322 or Dotti Washington at 934-3151 ext. 29.

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY: Our next paid holiday is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, on Monday January 16th, 2006. You must work the day after, Tuesday January 17th, or have an excused absence for that day to receive holiday pay, but you MUST work your next scheduled day. Example: If you have January 17th and 18th off with an excused absence, you STILL MUST WORK Thursday January 19th to get paid for the holiday.

BENEFITS -- DEPENDENTS’ AUDITS: Ford Motor company is continually running audits on eligible dependents on your health care coverage. If you have a son or daughter or ex-spouse who is no longer eligible to be covered, it is YOUR responsibility to call the N.E.S.C. and tell them to remove that person or persons. Their phone number is 1-800-248-4444. We have many members who are repaying the premiums paid by the company for dependents not removed in a timely manner. In order to be an eligible dependent, you must be able to claim them on your 1040 Tax Return. If you have any questions call Dotti Washington, Benefits Representative, at 440-934-3151 extension 29 or Tom Orlando, Benefits Representative, at 933-1322.

CORRECT ADDRESS & PHONE NUMBER NEEDED: To protect your job, it is very important that you keep your records up to date. If you have moved and/or your phone number has changed, please go to Human Resources to update your current information. You can either call or stop in at the union hall to be sure your records are correct there (440-934-3151 Ext. 21).

UNION MEETING: The next scheduled union meeting is Sunday February 12th, 2006 at Southview High School, 2270 East 42nd Street in Lorain at 2:30 PM.