INFORMATION BULLETIN - December 13, 2007

LOCAL NEGOTIATIONS: Local negotiations are still ongoing. Once a tentative agreement has been reached, you will be notified of a meeting time and place for voting on the tentative local agreement. Copies of the local contract highlights will be in the plant as soon as possible after a tentative agreement is reached.

COLA (COST OF LIVING ALLOWANCE): We have been advised by the UAW National Ford Department that the three-month average CPI-W for August, September and October 2007 was 197.53, resulting in a negative one cent (-1˘) adjustment in the COLA float. Therefore, effective December 3rd the total cost-of-living received in your paycheck will be nine cents (9˘) per hour.

UNEMPLOYMENT – SUB PROBLEMS: Members who filed late for unemployment and did not sign up for the sub portion must take the determination notice that shows what your weekly benefit amount would have been had you filed a timely application, along with the determination notice from the ODJFS that states your application for unemployment compensation benefits was disallowed, to Human Resources. Ford will pay only the sub portion to begin with, and then they will pay the ODJFS portion only if and when you win your appeal.

Members who do not have the determination notice that shows the weekly benefit amount or the notice that shows you were disallowed should check your mailboxes at the ODJFS website at http://unemployment.ohio.gov. Once you have copies of both, please take them to Human Resources to sign up for the sub portion.

Members who haven’t been able to retrieve either determination should contact me (Tim Donovan) as soon as possible. I can be reached at the union hall at 934.3151, extension 22 or through the plant paging system at 933.1483, pager #0177.

Members in the appeal process: If your appeal has been denied, you must personally continue to appeal any re-determination as directed by the ODJFS.

The Plant will shut down for the Christmas holidays on December 21st (at the completion of your shift) and will not resume normal production until January 2nd. It is important that you understand the general eligibility rules on Christmas holiday pay:

1. A seniority employee absent without excuse on either the last scheduled working day prior to or the next scheduled working day after the Christmas holiday period shall be ineligible for one of the holidays for which he/she would otherwise be eligible in the holiday period.
       

2. If an eligible employee misses both the scheduled day before and the scheduled day after, he/she will not be eligible for any Christmas holiday pay. If you have any questions concerning this provision, contact your Committeeperson or Chairperson.
     

3. Seniority employees who have gone on sick leave during the workweek prior to or during the workweek in which the holiday(s) falls shall receive pay for such holiday period. A seniority employee who is on sick leave when the holiday(s) occurs, who would return to work following the holiday(s), but during the week in which the holiday(s) falls, shall receive pay for such holiday(s).

NOTE: Medical Leave/Placements returning to work during the Christmas holiday shutdown MUST SIGN IN AT HUMAN RESOURCES in order to receive any holiday pay. A sign-in sheet will be on the counter in Human Resources.

UNION OFFICES CLOSED: Local 2000 and all UAW International offices will be closed during the holidays. UAW LEGAL SERVICES will close at 12:00 noon on Friday December 21st and reopen January 2.

CHECK PICK-UP SCHEDULE DURING THE HOLIDAYS: Paychecks for pay ending December 23rd will be distributed on Friday, December 28th for all employees on all shifts. Employees can pick up their paychecks in the administration building between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM.

HOLIDAY CONVERSION: Eligible hourly employees who work and wish to convert the Christmas holidays for December 24th through 28th, 2007 must do so by midnight on Friday December 28th. There will be another separate sign-up for holiday conversion for December 31st, 2007 and January 1st, 2008. You must sign up by midnight on January 4th to convert these holidays. The books will be open in Human Resources during both weeks.

SUPPLEMENTAL OPT OFF POOL FOR NON-APPENDIX F SKILLED TRADES: Sign up is now through December 31st (effective January 2nd, 2008).

CLOTHE-A-CHILD COLLECTION: Thank you to all for your contributions to this year’s collection. The total was $7,112.21.

UAW / FORD SHOPPING NIGHT AT TOYS-Я-US: Sunday December 16th from 7-10 PM at the 1601 West River Road (Elyria) location. Family and friends are welcome. There will be refreshments and raffles and a 10% discount off purchase total, excluding gift cards, diapers, formula & video game hardware. If you apply for a TOYS-Я-US credit card, you will receive an additional 10% discount, which will bring your total discount to 20%. Raffle prizes and both 10% discounts are for Ford employees and their families only. Your Ford ID will be required to receive the prize and discounts.

CASINO BUS TRIP: The Recreation Committee is sponsoring a casino bus trip to Seneca Allegany on January 20th. Those taking the trip are meeting at 7:30 AM at Super K-Mart at Leavitt Road and Route 58 in Amherst. The bus will leave at 7:45 AM. The cost is $35 per person. Beverages and snacks will be provided on the bus and $25 in coins will be given at the casino. Limited seating is available. Payment must be received at the union hall by December 18th. For further information, call Linda at 934.3151, extension 21.

NEXT UNION MEETING: The next monthly membership meeting will be at 2:30 PM on January 13th at UAW Local 2000 Union Hall, 3151 Abbe Road, Sheffield Village, Ohio.