Antenna Jan 2012

www.uawlocal292.org
VOLUME 62 - NUMBER 1
KOKOMO, INDIANA
JANUARY 2012
The Executive Board and the Retiree Executive Board wish all of
you a Happy New Year!!!
UAW LOCAL 292 EASTER EGG HUNT
MARCH 24, 2012
10AM
OUTDOORS
EASTER EGG HUNT
(RAIN OR SHINE)
10:20AM
IN ASSEMBLY HALL
(SNACKS AND DRINKS)
10:30AM
HOBBY CLUB HOUSE
(PICTURES WITH BUNNY)
LOBBY DAYS
Wednesday, January 4th will begin Lobby Days at the Indiana Statehouse. UAW Local
Union 933, 2320 South Tibbs Avenue, in Indianapolis will have a bus running to and from
the Capitol Building from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. every Wednesday. If your members would
like to park at Local 933 and ride the bus, please call Gary Holmes, Local 933
Financial Secretary, at (317) 248-6901, on the Friday prior and let him know how many
will be coming.
Shop Chairman’s Report
Submitted by Danny Hiatt, Shop Chairman
2011 was a year of continuous struggle to keep hope alive.
Together we were able to meet those struggles head on and
secure our future to keep jobs in Kokomo. It appears now we
can never do enough to satisfy the powers to be. We were
asked to be partners in the business but the word partner is
loosely defined to mean we only want your opinion when it
aligns with what we want to do any way. Consequently, the
powers to be think they have the right to not follow the
contract when profit could be lost or gained. We know we are
lucky to have a future here even if it only lasts till the end of
our agreements. We have lived the threats of “we will close
you” and fought through the threats of “you have got to be
profitable”. We have proven if sacrifices are the right
recourse then we have and will step up to the plate. But there
is a point where working class people will say “no more”.
Sacrifice must be shared by all or we will all lose.
As each Local Union of all the different Union affiliations
throughout this country fight similar battles, the big picture
strategists in think tanks funded by major corporations ask
the question how can the “haves” get more and the “have
nots” get less. We are just a small piece of this tragic puzzle.
The philosophy to suppress working men and women of this
country, to drive wages and benefits to a supposed
competitive rate and to make sure unions become extinct are
in total a grand plan by the top movers and shakers.
Meanwhile the working class blindly heads toward the edge
of the cliff. Strategists have done a good job convincing
management that working class people should not make
wages and benefits which could afford the hourly worker
nice homes and cars or for hourly workers to afford to
vacation at the same beaches and resorts the elite frequent or
be able to send their kids to college. After all, working class
people are a dime a dozen. Look how they line up by the
hundreds for the most menial of jobs. Shame on those
corporations who would take advantage of desperate
unemployed or under employed Americans in cities across
the United States. Shame on politicians who except campaign
contributions from those same corporations. A strong,
healthy middle class is the foundation of a democratic
society. Without a robust middle class, tyranny is not far
behind.
These very same strategists have convinced some working
class people that “Right to Work” is good for the middle
class. Everybody wants the right to work. Right? Wrong!
Legislation for “Right to Work” is currently the top agenda
for the Indiana House and Senate Republicans in the next
session of congress. Let’s look at the facts based on the U.S.
Bureau of Labor Statistics. FACT: 8 out of 12 states with the
highest unemployment rates are “Right to Work” states.
FACT: 6 of 8 states that have the lowest wages are “Right to
Work” states. FACT: Wages in “Right to Work” states are
12% lower than those in Non-Right to Work states. FACT:
Rates of uninsured are 24% higher in “Right to Work” states.
FACT: Rates of uninsured children are 39% higher in “Right
to Work” states. FACT: 12 of the 14 highest wage states are
not “Right to Work” states. I think you get the point; “Right to
Work for Less” is something we cannot afford. We cannot sit
by and let this agenda flood over us without a fight. We will
have a strong presence at the Statehouse and we all need to
contact our State Representatives and Senators to let them
know we do not want “Right to Work” in Indiana.
President’s Report
Submitted by Matt Collins, President
As we begin a new year here at GMCH, I remain cautiously
optimistic about our current and future situation at our
Kokomo site. When I began my term in June of last year, I
held that same outlook. Since then, we as a membership have
experienced some challenges. With that being said, we have
also had a glimmer of hope extended to our site with the hope
of future business which could possibly ensure us a more long
lasting outlook. It is no secret that our site, in the not so distant
past, was almost an afterthought in the big picture of the plans
for General Motors. We were given the challenge of securing
our own future by finding ways to make our site a more
valuable asset to the company. To everybody's surprise, there
was work found to bring to Kokomo. This was done on the
shoulders of folks within our site on both sides of the aisle
working tirelessly together to make it happen.
However, in the past few months, some issues have arose
which have once again strained the relationships of our local
joint leadership. The challenges we now face seem are not
insurmountable, but it takes both sides of our leadership to
allow us move forward. The primary mantra for Danny Hiatt
has always been, “Keep Jobs In Kokomo”. Believe me when I
say, he and his shop committee are doing everything in their
power to live up to this. Some of the issues which have hit
our membership as of late are inexcusable, and are being
addressed. I know that does little to ease the minds our
members who have been affected by these actions, but I would
hope the opportunity is afforded for action to be taken.
Although much of this does not necessarily belong on the
Executive side of the Union, I just wanted the membership to
be aware that I understand your positions and really do care
about your situations.
I would like to thank you for giving me opportunity to serve
you. The last six months have been a whirlwind. The
learning curve is steep at times, but I will continue to do what
I can do in the best interest of the membership with honesty
and integrity. I appreciate the feedback I get via personal
conversations, phone and text conversations, and e-mails.
Thank you for making me aware of your concerns. Hopefully,
we can make the coming year a positive step in the rebirth of
the Kokomo GMCH site.
In Solidarity, Matt Collins
2011 BREAKFAST WITH SANTA & RETIREE DINNER
Women’s Committee Report
Brothers and Sisters,
Breakfast with Santa was a success again in 2011! I want to thank everyone who volunteered their time to give over
60 children and their families the opportunity to eat a hot breakfast and have their picture taken with Santa. If it
wasn't for generosity of the Local 292 membership these events would not be possible. We have several committees
at Local 292 that get together to educate our membership and help our community. I would like to personally invite
every member to be apart of the Women's Committee. We work closely with other 292 committees to coordinate
events like Breakfast with Santa and The Easter Egg Hunt. We also focus on women's rights in the workplace and
paying it forward in our community. I hope to see all of you at your union meetings in 2012!
In Solidarity,
Amanda Hamilton
Up Coming Events & Meetings in 2012
Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday March 24,2012
Breakfast with Santa
Saturday December 8, 2012
Women's Committee at Local 292 @3:30pm
Thursday January 26
Wednesday February 29
Thursday March 22
Wednesday April 25
Wednesday September 26 Wednesday October 24
Wednesday December 5
UAW-GM Tuition Assistance Plan
The UAW-GM Tuition Assistance Plan (TAP) is designed to enhance the
opportunity for advancement for active and laid off UAW represented
GM employees.
The TAP program provides financial assistance to UAW represented
employees to attend approved licensed or accredited schools including
colleges, universities, proprietary schools or vocational schools. The
program also allows workers to select various vocational training or
education based on their situation and goals, which is subject to approval
by the UAW-GM Center for Human Resources (CHR) TAP
Administrators.
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK
@ UAW Local 292 Kokomo Indiana
Photo’s, Events and UAW Regional and
International Headlines are now
available on Facebook. Don't miss a
single headline!
The CHR has developed definitive guidelines for the administration of
the TAP program. The 2011 National Agreement MOU TAP provides the
framework and principles for the development of these guidelines.
Entry Level Employees are eligible for the following active TAP
benefits:
$5,000 per calendar year for courses at regionally accredited colleges or
universities of which $200 may be used to purchase books
$2,200 per calendar year for job related courses
Entry Level Employees are not eligible for personal/skill enhancement
courses.
The maximum TAP benefit payable while on indefinite layoff is $8,400.
In no event shall the total assistance to an inactive employee exceed
$8,400 in any four calendar year periods. ITAP benefits are determined
by seniority as of the last day worked prior to layoff. ITAP benefit levels
are:
$6,400 1 to 3 years seniority $7,400 3 to 4 years seniority
$8,400 4 or more years seniority
Guidelines and TAP applications are available on the CHR website at
www.uawgmjas.org under the “Online Documents” folder or call
LeMann at 1-7274 for copies.
Local 292 We Care Christmas tree for 2011
10 Services You Should Get From Your Legal Services Plan Now
As an active UAW member or retiree, you and your family have numerous legal services available to you free of charge from
UAW Legal Services Plan offices and cooperating attorneys. But not forever. Under the new labor agreements with GM,
Ford and Chrysler, the Legal Services Plan will stop taking new cases at the end of December, 2013. Cases opened before
that date will be completed by the Plan.
While no one can predict what legal problems you might have in 2014 and beyond, you can think ahead. What legal services
should you get from your Plan before the benefit is gone?
To get you thinking, here are ten of the top services that we believe Plan participants should think about getting now, while
our services are till available:
1. A new will
2. A review of past estate planning
3. Probate of a relative’s estate
4. Guardianship or conservator ship proceedings
5. Social Security Disability for Retirees
6. Fixing credit report problems
7. Resolving real estate deed, boundary or easement problems
8. Addressing burdensome debt
9. Obtaining a mortgage loan modification
Collecting debts owed to you
You have full access to all the benefits of UAW Legal Services Plan until the end of 2013. Keep us in mind. Now is the time
to let us help you.
For Further assistance call your local office at
Kokomo (765)864-6400 or Marion (765)6628411
Chaplain’s Report
Submitted by Thelma Corbit, Chaplain
Lets begin our new year 2012 with our minds thinking on things that are good for us. Focus on the positive side of life.
When we think positive it will help build us up and not tear us down. When our thoughts are negative it can bombard our
minds with fear and worry. Thinking on those things gets us depressed and discouraged. It will rob us of our peace.
Philippianns 4:8 Finally Brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is
lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. (New
American Standard)
When we think on good thoughts of God we can have peace of mind. Lots of time we don’t have peace because we allow
our thoughts to be out of control. We have to guard our minds against negative thinking.
Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trust in you. (New International)
Thelma Corbit Local 292 Chaplain
In Memoriam
Jenny D. (Stockdale) Helmuth Melvina Joshine Isabelle
Carol J. (Hankemeier) Green
Stanley O.Niles
Kenneth W. Ammerman Jr.
William R. 'Bob" Conwell
Anna 'Faye' Burton
Linda L. Zoll
Arthur Ward Jr.
Edith (Shufflebotham) Price
Pamela I. Short
David Charles Cox
Lorraine Colgrove
Marjorie D. Reames
Patricia D. Harmon
Mary M. "Minnie" Gonzales
Gilbert Warren Brenton
Dolores Laura Patterson
Ethelda 'Candy' Shaak
Helen A. Hunley
Ruby Mae Koenig
Patricia A. Antrobus
Ruby May Kendall
George 'Bud' Fivecoate
Betty Sue Auten
Virginia P. Hinkle
Eugene Mason
Mary Jo Dodd
Richard 'Dick' Batey
Charles E. 'Charlie' Michael Sr.
Juanita Faye (Langston) Garrison
Lucille 'Lucy' T. Collins
Larry Dennis Sheely
Robert 'Bob' D. Masters
Patricia Ann Antrobus
Annabelle L. Cardwell
Philip Eugene Franklin
Richard M. Green
Myra K. Snodgrass
Adele Jean Gardner-Pettet
Mary Alice Kaserman Cole
Melvin Shively
Charles E. Frank
Carolyn S. Good
Lora 'Belle' Morelock
Dennis Edward Reynolds
Ronald L. Sewell
Patricia Ann Nelson
James E. 'Jim' Pyke
Alfreda (Freddie) Eckelbarger Sandra Elaine Douglas
Doris Neoma Bogue
Hazel L. Ford
Howard H. Kitts
Lerion Dell Pierce
Merna Elva Nutter
Mary Marie Ramsey
Max E. Brown
Carl W. Black
Lonnie D. Lewis
Lila Kitts
Lerion 'Dell' Pierce
Nadean Long
Eugene D. Martin
Ruby M. Biggs
Emma Cook
Helen D. Barron
Bridget K. Taylor
Mary E. Butler
Tommie G. Smith
Mary Belle Bright
Geraldine 'Gerry' M. Groves
June Olive Stock
Judith Keegan-Faux
David Ysaguirre
Doris J. Denison
Dorothy Miller
Donna Rose (Higgins) Kenworthy
Membership Meeting Attendance - 2011
Name
OCT NOV DEC Name
Executive Board
OCT NOV DEC Name
Bargaining Representatives
Matt Collins, Pres.
Mark Stevens, V. Pres.
Cheryl Jameson, Rec. Sec.
Sharon Geiselman, Fin. Sec.
Wendy Gale, Trustee
Ron Taylor, Trustee
Travis McGregor, Trustee
Greg Hamilton, Guide
Mike Grant, Sgt. At Arms
Sue Conner, Retiree Chair
Irma Feece, Café/Vend Chair
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Standing Committee’s
OCT NOV DEC
Appointed
Danny Hiatt, Shop Chairman
Frank Balog, Dist. 1
Jon Green, Dist. 1 Alt.
Ian Beaty, Dist. 2
Dave Harrell, Dist. 2 Alt.
Julie Addison, Dist. 3
Tom Dyson, Dist. 3 Alt.
Monte Erby, Dist. 5
Ron Geyer, Dist. 5 Alt.
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Nancy Dea, Editor
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LeMann Dea, JAR/JTR/QN/IH
Jennifer Coomer, EAP ADAPT
Petra Jameson, Benefits
Stacy Hollenback, Benefits
Nancy Dea, Benefits Alt.
Amanda Hamilton, Benefits Alt.
Jim Kaufman, H&S-1st
Missy Herr, H&S-1st Alt.
Justin Kennedy, H&S-2nd
Jeff Groves, H&S-2nd Alt.
Butch Memmer, H&S Trainer
Thelma Corbit, Chaplain
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Skilled Trades
Election Committee
Amanda Hamilton, Women’s
Glenn Rodgers, CAP
Mark Stevens, Comm. Service
Vince Holt, Union Label
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Henry Mertz, Chair
Jim Main, Rec. Sec.
Raymond Mertz, Vice-Chair
LeMann Dea, Sgt. At Arms
Alicia Stevens
Pete Sills
Jody Howell
Salvation Army’s Christmas Adoption Program
Thank you to the employees of GMCH Kokomo. Because of your
generosity, 55 children in the Kokomo area will get well needed and
deserved Christmas gifts this year. Your selflessness over the past few years is
amazing. We greatly appreciate everything you have done, and hope your
experience inspires you to continue giving in the coming years. Happy Holidays!
KEY
E - Excused
P - Present
SL - Sick Leave
V - Vacation
UB - Union Business
A - Absent
Thank You,
Mark Stevens & Andrea Clark
January 2012
February 2012
March 2012
4 - Hobby Club 9 - 11am
7 - Veteran’s Committee
9 - Retiree Dinner 11am
11 - Hobby Club 9 – 11am
11 - CAP Committee 3:30pm
17 - Executive Board Meeting
18 - Hobby Club 9 - 11am
19 - Membership Meetings
7:30am, Noon & 4pm
19 - Skilled Trades Meeting 3:15pm
25 - Hobby Club 9 - 11am
25 - Community Service
Committee 3:30pm
26 - Women’s Committee
3:30pm
1 - Hobby Club 9 - 11am
4 - Veteran’s Committee
8 - Hobby Club 9 – 11am
8 - CAP Committee 3:30pm
13 - Retiree Dinner 11am
14 - Executive Board Meeting
15 - Hobby Club 9 - 11am
16 - Membership Meetings
7:30am, Noon & 4pm
16 - Skilled Trades Meeting 3:15pm
22 - Hobby Club 9 - 11am
22 - Community Service
Committee 3:30pm
29 - Women’s Committee
3:30pm
3 - Veteran’s Committee
7 - Hobby Club 9 - 11am
12 - Retiree Dinner 11am
13 - Executive Board Meeting
14 - Hobby Club 9 – 11am
14 - CAP Committee 3:30pm
15 - Membership Meetings
7:30am, Noon & 4pm
15 - Skilled Trades Meeting 3:15pm
21 - Hobby Club 9 - 11am
22 - Women’s Committee
3:30pm
24 - Easter Egg Hunt 10am
28 - Hobby Club 9 - 11am
28 - Community Service
Committee 3:30pm
www.uawlocal292.org