A TWO PERCENT (2%) GENERAL WAGE INCREASE will take effect September 19, 2005. Each employee covered by the 2003 UAW Collective Bargaining Agreement will receive a two percent (2%) general wage increase pursuant to Article IX, Section 2. The amount of such wage increase for each individual worker will be determined by the straight-time hourly wage rate of the employee’s classification, in accordance with the table in Section 2, pages 96 through 100 of the UAW-Ford Agreement.

HURRICANE KATRINA RELIEF COLLECTION: We will have a gate collection next Friday September 16, 2005. Ford Motor Company will match our donations dollar for dollar. All monies donated are earmarked specifically for the Red Cross Relief Effort.

SHIFT PREFERENCE SIGN UP: Unit 1 sign up for shift preference ends Monday, September 12th at midnight in Human Resources.

MANDATORY SATURDAYS (BOTH SHIFTS) are scheduled for the following dates: September 17, October 1 and October 15 with the possibility of more being added on at a later date. Schedules are subject to change.

GEN COMMUNITY SERVICE will begin sometime next week, upon final approval from the company.

POKER RUN: The Annual Poker Run and Classic Car Show will be held on Saturday September 10, 2005. Registration will be at the UAW Local 2000 Union Hall at 11:00 AM. We will be riding to Ford dealerships in Lorain County ending at Avon Oaks. Lunch will be served at the home. Cost is $5.00 for a single rider, $5.00 for classic cars and $10.00 for double riders. Come enjoy the ride to benefit the residents of Avon Oaks Nursing Home!

DAY OF CARING: The annual United Way Day of Caring is scheduled for Friday September 23, 2005. The collection will take place at the plant gates, human resources office and the union hall for the Second Harvest Food Bank. Your cash donation or non-perishable items of boxed or canned goods would be appreciated.

5TH ANNUAL REGION 2-B SPORTING CLAY SHOOT will be held at the Elkhorn Lake Hunt Club, 4146 Klopfenstein Road, Bucyrus, Ohio on Saturday October 8, 2005. Entry forms will be accepted on a first come / first serve basis. Open to all Region 2-B members (active & retired) and spouses. Shooting times start at 9:00 AM. Everyone should plan to be there at 8:00 AM (one hour before) to check in and receive their squad, station and starting time assignments.

The entry fee is $30.00. The fee includes your clay targets, prizes and expense fees. No entries will be accepted after September 28, 2005. No refunds will be given unless the shoot is cancelled. Further details and applications are available at the union hall.

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 11, 2005 at 2:30 PM at Southview High School, 2270 East 42nd Street in Lorain.