BENEFITS OFFICE AT LOCAL 425 CLOSED: Due to the sale and decommissioning of the Lorain Assembly Plant, the benefits office at Local 425 is now closed. The benefits office at Local 2000 Union Hall is open from 8 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday and the phone number to reach the benefits representative is 440.934.3151 Extension 29.

The Plant will shut down for the Christmas holidays on December 22nd, 2006 (at the completion of your shift) and will not resume normal production until January 2nd, 2007. 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.

OFFICES CLOSED: Local 2000 and all UAW International offices will be closed during the holidays.

CHECK PICK-UP SCHEDULE DURING THE HOLIDAYS: For pay ending December 17th, 2006, paychecks will be distributed on the regular payday for all employees: #3 Shift employees will be paid on Thursday, December 21st, 2006, #1 and #2 Shift employees will be paid on Friday, December 22nd, 2006. For pay ending December 24th, 2006, paychecks will be distributed on Friday, December 29th, 2006, for all employees on all shifts. Employees can pick up their paychecks in the Human Resources office between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM.

HOLIDAY CONVERSION: Eligible hourly employees who work and wish to convert the Christmas holidays for December 25th through 29th, 2006 and January 1st, 2007 must do so by midnight on Friday December 29th, 2006. There will be another separate sign-up for holiday conversion for January 1st, 2007. You must sign up by midnight on January 5th to convert this holiday. The books will be open in Human Resources during both weeks.

CLOTHE-A-CHILD COLLECTION: Thank you to all for your contributions to this year’s collection. The total was $4,919.75.

FAMILY DAYS: Per the National Contract, if you do not use your family days before September 14th, 2007, they will be forfeited. Members retiring or taking a separation package must use them before they leave. Please note: Family days must be requested at least 48 hours in advance.

RESCHEDULED TIMES & DATES FOR LASER SMOKING CESSATION: Sign up starts at 7:00 AM on Monday December 18th in front of the main cafeteria in the administration building. Appointments for the treatments will be from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM every half-hour on December 18th, 20th and 22nd, and from 2:00 PM to 11 PM on December 19th and 21st. Location: Thunderbird Room next to Human Resources. Treatment is also now available for hourly and salaried spouses and retirees and their spouses at UAW Local 2000 Union Hall, 3151 Abbe Road, Sheffield Village on Tuesday December 19th and Thursday December 21st from 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM. There is no cost to active employees and the cost to all others is $100.00.

UNION MEETING: The next scheduled union meeting is Sunday January 21st, 2007 at U.A.W. Local 2000 Union Hall.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES FROM THE EXECUTIVE BOARD, UNIT CHAIRPERSONS, BARGAINING COMMITTEEPERSONS, DISTRICT COMMITTEEPERSONS, APPOINTEES, LOCAL 2000 OFFICE PERSONNEL AND MYSELF.