APPEALS DECISION: The appeals to the UAW International Executive Board challenging the National Ford and Regional Directors directive/actions are as follows: After a 10 page issue, background, discussion and conclusion, decision “Considering the above and records, the appeals are respectfully denied.”

KANSAS CITY TRANSFERS: We all would like to wish the members of Local 2000 and their families the best of luck with their relocation and thank them for all their years of dedication and contributions to the local and the Ohio Assembly Plant.

C.O.L.A. RAISE: You will be receiving a cost of living raise of seventeen cents (17¢) effective Monday September 5th, 2005. Therefore, the total cost-of-living received in your paycheck will be one dollar and sixteen cents ($1.16¢) per hour.

SHIFT PREFERENCE SIGN UP: Unit 1 sign up for shift preference is Monday September 5th at 6:00 a.m. through Monday, September 12th until midnight in Human Resources.

NEXT PAID HOLIDAY: LABOR DAY, September 5th is our next paid holiday. You must return to work the day after, Tuesday, September 6th, or have an excused absence to receive your holiday pay, but you MUST work your next scheduled day. Example: If you have September 6th and 7th off with an excused absence, you STILL MUST WORK Thursday, September 8th to get paid for the holiday.

LABOR DAY CONVERSION: Those employees who work Labor Day, September 5th, 2005 are eligible to sign up in Human Resources during the week of September 5th through September 9th to convert their holiday.

11th ANNUAL LORAIN COUNTY ORGANIZED LABOR, LABOR DAY CELEBRATION – SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4th: Plan on attending our celebration at Lakeview Park in Lorain from Noon till 8:00 P.M. The event is the largest in the state of Ohio. Continuous music, amusement rides, pony rides, 25¢ hot dogs, soda, bottled water and chips. Many free giveaways and $9,000.00 in door prizes, such as, Disney World trip, Las Vegas trip, $300 gift cards for Tops, Heinen’s and Giant Eagle and much more will be drawn at 6:30 P.M. Free drawing tickets will be given away during the event.

CANDIDATES’ NIGHT: The Lorain County UAW CAP Council and the AFL-CIO Federation of Labor present Candidates’ Night at UAW Local 2000 on September 1st, 2005 at 5:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome.

5th ANNUAL REGION 2-B TRAPSHOOT: Region 2-B will be holding their 5th Annual Trapshoot, Saturday, September 17th, at Jaqua’s Trap Club, 900 E. Bigelow Avenue, Findlay, OH, starting at 9:00 A.M. It is open to all Region 2-B, UAW members (active & retired) and spouses only. Entry fee $55.00 per shooter. Entry fee includes ammo, targets, prizes and expense fees. Entry forms are available at the local union hall. The deadline is August 26th, 2005.

JOINT CONFERENCE: The UAW/FORD Joint Conference will be held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on Monday August 29th through Friday September 2nd, 2005. 1st Vice President Jerome Williams will replace me (Tim Donovan) as President during this week and can be reached at the local hall at 934.3151 extension 22 or through the plant paging system, pager number 059. The Unit Chairpersons will post a list of replacements in their respective units.

ANNUAL PICNIC: The Local 2000 Annual Picnic cancelled at the July 24th membership meeting in a show of support for the building and construction trades will not be rescheduled due to membership action at the August 14th membership meeting.

UAW REGION 2-B SCHOLARSHIP: Applications for the Richard T. Gosser Scholarship Program are available at the union hall or from ETC Ray Berisko (933.1399). Applicant must be a high school senior graduating between January 2006 and July 2006. Applications MUST be received on or before October 15th, 2005 (no exceptions).

NEXT UNION MEETING: Our next membership meeting is on Sunday September 11th, 2005 at Southview High School, 2270 East 42nd Street in Lorain.