C.O.L.A. RAISE: You will be receiving a cost of living raise of five cents (5) effective Monday, December 6, 2004. Therefore, the total cost-of-living received in your paycheck will be sixty-seven cents (67¢) per hour.

NEXT PAID HOLIDAYS: The Christmas holiday period starts Friday, December 24th thru December 31, 2004, returning to work on Monday, January 3, 2005.

CLOTHE-A-CHILD COLLECTION: Reminder, our annual collection will be held Friday, December 10th, in the plant. Local 2000/Ohio Assembly, throughout our history, has been the largest contributors to the Clothe-A-Child. Please remember to bring a cash donation.

LUNCH WITH SANTA: The Women's Committee is sponsoring a lunch with Santa at the local union hall on Saturday, December 11th, from 12:00 p.m. thru 2:30 p.m. Lunch will include a hot dog, chips and beverage. Also, there will be crafts and a picture with Santa. Tickets must be purchased in advance from Committee members or at the union hall. Donation is $5.00 per ticket. Committee members are: Paula Weaver, Laura Jones, Sophie Langer, Arlene Spurlock, Patty Roberts, Angela Amstutz and Pat Singleton.

AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE: A blood drive is scheduled at the plant in the Thunderbird Room on Tuesday, December 21, 2004 from 1:00 P.M. - 6:00 P.M. Please donate blood at this drive, and enjoy a FREE apple pie from Perkins Restaurant & Bakery. You will receive a coupon for the pie as well as be entered into a daily drawing to WIN a $200 Giant Eagle shopping card.

CASINO BUS TRIP TO GREEKTOWN: The Recreation Committee is sponsoring a bus trip to the Greektown Casino in Detroit, Michigan on Sunday, January 16, 2005. Cost is $30.00 per person. There will be beverages on the bus and you will receive $30.00 in coins. If interested, please sign up at the union hall or see a member of the Committee, as soon as possible. The Committee needs to know how many buses to reserve. Note: You don't have to work the next day, due to a paid holiday, Martin Luther King Day. Committee members are: Wendy Baker, Sophie Langer, Garry Martin, Bill Bowe, Richard Flowers Jr., Barbara Schnur-Saegert, Kizzie Wright and Tim Youngless, Suzanne Piscione and Michelle Schnur.

COSTCO WHOLESALE CLUB: Membership applications are still available at the union hall (only), until further notice.

BJ'S WHOLESALE CLUB has another special promotional mail-in offer for UAW Local 2000/Ford employees, family and friends until December 31st . A $25.00 membership fee, which includes a primary card, as well as a free card to a spouse or household member. You will receive 15 months of membership. Forms available at the union hall (only).

GEN GRAY READIES FOR RETIREMENT: Local 2000's one and only secretary will retire at the end of the year. Gen has been much more than just a secretary, for all of us since 1976. She will be missed by all. We wish Gen a long , happy and healthy retirement.

NEXT UNION MEETING: The next union meeting is Sunday, December 12th at 2:30 p.m., at the local union hall. Agenda: Discussion and vote of proposed by-laws changes and recommendations from the By-Laws Committee.