NATIONAL FORD MEETING: The UAW/National Ford Council approved the tentative agreement with Ford Motor Company on retiree health care and the deferral of future wage increases for active workers on Wednesday 12/14/05. An information meeting is scheduled at Southview High School, 2270 East 42nd Street in Lorain at 2:30 PM on Sunday December 18th. Copies of the tentative agreement will also be available at the plant and at the union hall on Monday 12/19/05. They will also be available on the Local 2000 web site. A direct link will be available on the home page.

A ratification vote (by active UAW/Ford members) will take place in the Thunderbird Room next to Human Resources starting at midnight on 12/20/05 until 6 PM on 12/21/05.

UNEMPLOYMENT INFORMATION: The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) no longer has unemployment forms. You must file for unemployment by calling 1.877.644.6562 or by filing online at unemployment.ohio.gov. Information for filing your claim is listed below. You must make your unemployment claim starting December 18th, but no later than December 24th, 2005.

1. You must use claim number 500623 when filing for unemployment.

2. Full details and instructions will be able in Human Resources and at the union hall.

CHECK PICK-UP FOR PAY ENDING 12/18/05: For pay ending December 18th, 2005, checks may be picked up on Friday December 23rd, 2005 at the new administration building between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM.

The Plant will shut down for the Christmas holidays on December 23rd, 2005 (at the completion of your shift) and will not resume normal production until January 3rd, 2006. 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.

HOLIDAY CONVERSION: Eligible hourly employees who work and wish to convert the Christmas holidays for December 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30, 2005 must do so by midnight on Friday December 30th, 2005. There will be another separate sign-up for holiday conversion for January 2nd, 2006. You must sign up by midnight on January 6th to convert this holiday. The books will be open in Human Resources during both weeks.

CHECK PICK-UP SCHEDULE DURING THE HOLIDAYS: Pay ending December 25th will be paid Thursday December 29th, 2005 between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM in the main lobby by the cafeteria.

CLOTHE-A-CHILD COLLECTION: Thank you to all for your contributions to this year’s collection. The total was $6,676.00.

OFFICES CLOSED: Local 2000 and all UAW International offices will be closed during the holidays. UAW LEGAL SERVICES will also be closed the duration of the holidays.

UNION MEETING: The next scheduled union meeting is Sunday January 8th, 2006 at Southview High School, 2270 East 42nd Street in Lorain at 2:30 PM.

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