SPECIAL INCENTIVE PACKAGES: Representatives from the UAW National Ford Department, Ford Labor Affairs and the National Employees Service Center (NESC) will be here October 31st and November 1st to explain the voluntary buyout opportunities. The open window period to apply for one of the packages ends on November 27th. The meetings will take place in the “Barn” Material Distribution area located beside Hi-Lo at column E-38 on the northeast side of the plant. Meeting dates and times are as follows: October 31st from 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM and 4:30 PM – 7:00 PM and on November 1st from 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM and 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM.

Parking and four shuttle buses will be available for spouses of active employees at the side of the truck gate entrance (3rd entrance). Accommodations will be made for people with disabilities to be transported to the meeting site.

PLEASE NOTE: Employees planning to attend any of the meetings must do so before or after their shifts.

APPEAL DECISION: In its decision dated October 25, 2006, the Public Review Board denied the appeal regarding Case Numbers 1526 and 1542, Jerry Donovan, Anthony Zahuranec, et. al. (and all others) vs. UAW National Ford Department and UAW Region 2-B.

ELECTION DAY IS TUESDAY NOVEMBER 7th. It is a negotiated day off with pay so you can exercise your right to vote. PLEASE VOTE. Note: You must work Monday November 6th (the day before) and Wednesday November 8th (the day after) or have approved day(s) off to be paid for Election Day.

HOLIDAY CONVERSION: Eligible hourly employees who work Election Day (November 7th) and wish to convert it must do so before midnight on Friday November 10th. Also, the books will be open in Human Resources November 13th through midnight November 17th to convert the Veterans’ Day holiday (November 13th).

2007 UAW/FORD NATIONAL CONTRACT RESOLUTIONS: Members interested in submitting National Contract resolutions may do so by getting a resolution form from his or her Bargaining Committeeperson or District Committeeperson, on our website at www.uawlocal2000.org or the form may be picked up at the union hall. Resolutions must be submitted no later than November 10th.

CONGRATULATIONS: Chris Viscomi, Skilled Trades Chairperson, was elected National Negotiator for Skilled Trades at the Sub Council 3 meeting, Linda Kleinhenz, Chairperson of Unit 3 (Nurses’ Unit), was elected Secretary Treasurer of Sub Council 8 and Tim Donovan was elected Secretary Treasurer of Sub Council 2, Assembly Division.

FLU SHOTS: Flu shots will not be available at Local 2000 this year. The Lorain County General Health District is planning to hold flu clinics on Saturday November 4th from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the following locations: In Amherst at Marion L. Steele High School, 450 Washington Avenue, in Avon at Avon High School, 27545 Detroit Road, in Grafton at Midview Middle School, 37999 W. Capel Road, in Oberlin at Firelands Elementary School, 10779 Vermilion Road and at Lorain County JVS, 15181 State Route 58. Please note: Clinics are based on the Health District receiving the flu vaccine shipment. Please call the Health District’s Flu Hotline at 440.329.7926 or log onto www.loraincountyhealth.com for their most up-to-date schedule. The cost of the shots is $10 at these locations.

ANNUAL THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE: We will be collecting food for the needy from November 1st to November 17th. Donations may be dropped off in the main lobby by the medical department or on the ramp at the old administration building on the Miller Road side of the plant. All donations will be distributed throughout Lorain County.

48th ANNUAL REGION 2-B, UAW BOWLING TOURNAMENT: To be held at Park Lanes located at 1410 Park Avenue West in Mansfield, Ohio. The tournament is open to all Region 2-B UAW members (active and retired) and spouses ONLY. The selected weekends for the tournament are as follows: January 27th and 28th, February 3rd and 4th, and February 10th and 11th. Only official entry forms will be accepted (no copies). Entry forms are available at the local union hall. Your entry fee must be paid by check or money order ONLY and must be made payable to Region 2-B, UAW. Because of new regulations, absolutely no cash will be accepted. The deadline for entries is November 17th, no exceptions.

GENFED CREDIT UNION MEMBERS: Stop by and help ‘Warm the Soles’ of children this holiday season. GenFed will be collecting money and new pairs of children’s shoes for ‘Warm the Soles,’ an organization that gives new shoes to needy children in Lorain County. Please stop by either convenient location in Sheffield Lake at 5382 East Lake Road or in Lorain at 5730 Baumhart Road to contribute to this important cause.

NEXT UNION MEETING: Our next membership meeting will be held on Sunday November 12th at U.A.W. Local 2000 Union Hall.