WIllIamS EStrada

EYE
OPENER
Volume 33 – Issue 6
Inside
this Issue:
Page 2
• Chairman’s Report
“A Local Union
with a Heart”
www.uawlocal598.org
JUNE 2014
(USPS 110770)
We are Stronger!
The New Region 1D
Page 3
• Vice-President’s Report
We didn’t just get larger...
Page 4
We got stronger!!!
• Financial Sec’y Report
By Debi Kirchner
There is strength in numbers, and
the merger between Regions 1C
and 1D created one powerful UAW
Region. The newly combined Region
represents 73 of the 83 counties
in Michigan’s upper and lower
peninsulas. As the 3rd largest Region
in the UAW (Region 5 representing
17 states is the largest), that’s a total
of 54,000 active and 100,000 retired
UAW workers and their families.
Here are a few facts about the new
Region 1D. Our Director is Gerald
Kariem and our Assistant Director,
Dave Totten. Former 1C Assistant
Director Steve Dawes will now serve
2014
Page 6
• 20th Annual Soberfest
• Local 598 Active
Members Golf Tourney
Page 7
• Convention Recaps
Page 9
• Retiree Chapter News
Page 10
• Chipping in for
Children Golf Outing
Membership
Meeting
SEPTEMBER 21st
UAW PROPERTY – ILLEGAL TO DUPLICATE
598
See STRONGER on Page 2
Our New President...
Our New Chief Bargainer...
Williams
Estrada
Dennis
Fired Up and
Ready to Go!
President Williams is a strong
labor activist who believes that good leaders listen as
well as talk, and he really does want to hear from the
membership. If you have a question or a remark you
would like to make to the Leadership at Solidarity House,
there is now an email address that allows you to submit
any questions or concerns to the International Union:
[email protected]. Please keep in mind that they
cannot answer questions about your personal bargaining
grievance. Those questions should still be directed to the
Local 598 Bargaining Committees or Local 598 Leadership.
Williams, a United States Marine Corps veteran, joined
UAW Local 806 (JJ Case) in 1977, where he was a salvage
welder. He was appointed to the International staff in
1988, elected as Region 4 Director in 1992 where he served
until winning election as Secretary-Treasurer in 2010, and
then was elected as President at June’s Constitutional
Convention in Detroit.
Cindy
Vice-President Estrada, a member of UAW Local 174 (a
GM SPO plant), has served on the International staff since
2000, and was first elected as a member of the Executive
Board in 2010.
She has led successful organizing drives, and
negotiated fair and sometimes groundbreaking contracts
for workers in many sectors of the UAW, including GM
suppliers and public workers. She has earned respect at
the table for being a tough and creative negotiator.
She sent a special message for the workers at Local
598: “It is an honor and privilege to be afforded the
opportunity to lead the General Motors Department.
One of my greatest beliefs is that we need to engage our
membership through education, and enhance the level of
communication throughout all levels of our Union.
I am a firm believer that to get the most out of
people and to attain the highest level of success as an
organization, we need to take advantage of people’s
strengths. I have already begun this process by
surrounding myself with a talented and knowledgeable
leadership team. Mike Grimes is my Top Administrative
See ESTRADA on Page 2
2
UAW Local 598 – A Local Union with a Heart
June 2014
SHOP COMMITTEE
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
By Barry Campbell
Building the Foundation
for our future
It was exciting to not only be
there when they hung the first
piece of what will be 12,000 pieces
of steel for our new paint shop,
but to actually get to sign the
beam and know that we are truly
building the foundation for our
future here at Flint Assembly made
it a great day. The plans are to have
the 1.3 million square feet structure
built within six months.
When it is all said and done,
workers will have installed 130,000
caisson bolts (structural bolts used
for the foundation). It will take
about 15,000 gallons of paint to
cover the steel. By the first of 2015,
we will begin working on the
inside of the facility.
I know I’ve said it before, but
this will change the way we do
business. With the capabilities of
the new state-of-the-art system, we
will be working to return the light-
duty work
that is now done in Silao, Mexico
back to the United States, so that
those trucks can be built by the best
truck builders in the world, the
members of UAW Local 598.
On the subject of the best truck
builders, the jackets that I have
been talking about will finally start
arriving to the plant around June
20th. We will begin delivering
them as soon as we get them. I
would like to thank everyone for
their patience and understanding
in waiting for them. I think that
you will be happy with them. It is
a small gesture to thank you for
everything that you do to make
sure that we build a world-class
truck for our customers.
You may have noticed that we
have been bringing in temporary
workers, 126 so far, to help with
vacation availability. Please
welcome these workers and help
them out when you can. It can
be pretty overwhelming to come
into a plant like ours if you have
never worked in an assembly plant
before. We are currently evaluating
the need for additional temps.
I would like to congratulate
our new UAW President, Dennis
Williams, and newly elected VicePresident Norwood Jewell on their
new positions. I know they will
serve the membership well. I would
also like to welcome Cindy Estrada
as the VP assigned to GM. I look
forward to working with her and
her staff as we prepare to head into
national negotiations next year.
You know by now that delegates
at the Constitutional Convention
voted to merge Region 1C with
Region 1D. We have a new
Director, Gerald Kariem, and he
visited the plant to watch the truck
he chose for the 2015 V-CAP prize
being built before the convention
and was very impressed with the
workers here. The Regional office
right across the street will stay
open and we should not notice
any changes in our day-to-day
dealings with the Regional Office.
The Fourth of July is just a few
weeks away and it’s important
to remember that our freedom
was won and continues to be
safeguarded by our men and
women in the armed forces. Take
a moment to thank a veteran for
their service to our country and
keep those who are serving here
and around the world, and the
families they have left behind
waiting, in your thoughts and
prayers for their service to our
country. Enjoy the negotiated
holiday and be safe while you
celebrate.
UAW LOCAL 598
G-3293 Van Slyke Road, Flint, MI 48507 • (810) 238-4605
STRONGER continued from Front Page
as the Area Coordinator. Art Luna and Shane Sack remain as CAP and
Education/Mobilization coordinators. Scott Henry is still our Regional
Servicing Rep. The headquarters is currently located in Grand Rapids,
with other Regional offices located in Flint, Saginaw, Lansing, Jackson,
Traverse City, Three Rivers and Escanaba.
Region 1D has the bragging rights to the 1937 Sit-Down Strike, and to
being the home Region to one UAW President (Owen Bieber), one UAW
Secretary-Treasurer (Ruben Burks), and 3 three UAW Vice-Presidents (Stan
Marshall, Cal Rapson and Norwood Jewell). And of course, Region 1D is
now home to a “Local Union with a Heart” – the members of UAW Local 598.
ESTRADA continued from Front Page
Assistant, Kris "Buffalo" Owen is my Administrative Assistant and CoDirector of the UAW-GM Center for Human Resources, and Steve Raich is
my Top Assistant Director.
Additionally, we have begun an analysis for a fall Sub-Council session
designed to provide an enriched educational opportunity especially
for newly elected representatives, so they have the tools and support
necessary to provide quality representation to our members.
In the future, I look forward to visiting your plant and interacting with
our members to solicit their ideas to see what we all can collectively do to
make our great Union stronger.
I am energized and prepared to get to work! – Thank you, Cindy.”
www.uawlocal598.org
ADAPT Representative
Jerry Regan, Michael Keel
Civil Rights committee
Rosalyn Morse
Quality network representation
Ralph Lupu
Local 598 Benefit Reps.
Fred Wright, Cindy Baxter-Phillips,
Chris Dungerow, Adam Prieur
Ray Gorney............................... President
Ryan Buchalski.................VICE-President
Judy Mosier.......... Recording Secretary
Rick Beardslee........ Financial Secretary
James Gregory........... Sergeant-at-Arms
Corey Wilborn................................. GUIDE
Curtis Freeman.............................Trustee
Jim Hatfield..................................TRUSTEE
Becky Haughey............................TRUSTEE
Janet Woodson.....Retiree chapter chair
Chairman, Shop Committee
Barry Campbell
Shop Committeeman-at-Large
Chris Webb, Eric Welter
Shop Committee (district)
Scott Crosby
District
CommitteePERSON / Alternates
Gerald Scott
/ D’Andrea Jackson
Don Cobb
/ John Jackson III
Eddie Pickett
/ Monroe Murphy
Dustin Culhane / Steve Cole
Nick Dekalita
/ Adam Conley
Leroy Shinabarger/ George Calvert
Larry Rodgers
/ Dave Haskell
Chad Fabbro
/ Michael Kocsis
Scott Crosby
/ Rick Hager
ARAMARK Bargaining Committee
District Committee / Alternate
Debra Bruton
/ Joshua Peters
Darla Switzer
/ Linda Losey
AVI Committee Representative
Marilyn Dingo
HEALTH & SAFETY REPRESENTATIVEs
Tony Robinson, Mike Dankert, Winston Ruffin
jOINT Activities REPRESENTATIVE
Mike Robinson
jOINT training REPRESENTATIVE
Dave Groulx
Work & Family Representative
Bob McKamie, Jayne Atwell, Leonard Neely
598 apprentice coordinator
Rick Van DeWater
598 CAP Chairperson
Jim Hatfield
Education/Publicity Committee
Debi Kirchner, Tajuana Elam,
Traci Wheaton, Jack Whyte, Bill Wineland
POLICY OF THE EYE OPENER
To Our Readers: This paper is the voice of our Local and
International Union. This is our only vehicle for bringing to
you, on a regular basis, the views and actions of the leaders
you elected, so you can evaluate them. Through the paper we
explain Union policies and show how your dues are spent.
The paper is also the voice of the members. We welcome
articles from UAW members and stories about members. While
we welcome your contributions, we ask that they be constructive. At no time will the editorial staff tolerate any defamatory
remarks regarding any person or persons. We reserve the right
to reply to those that seem to reflect a misunderstanding of
the Union and its policies and to edit any article for clarity and
length. Opinions reflected in signed articles in the Eye Opener
do not necessarily represent the position or opinions of Local
598. Published monthly by UAW Local 598, G-3293 Van Slyke
Road, Flint, MI 48507. Phone: 238-4605.
Postmaster: All Form 3579’s for the THE EYE OPENER,
are to be forwarded to THE EYE OPENER, UAW Local 598,
G-3293 Van Slyke Rd., Flint, MI 48507. Periodicals Postage
Paid at Flint, Michigan.
Annual Subscription $1.70 For Members Only; Retirees $1.00
June 2014
UAW Local 598 – A Local Union with a Heart
VICE-PRESIDENT’S
REPORT
By Ryan Buchalski
On to VICTORY!
realize that
everything
Workers united will never be divided. we debated
Workers united will never be divided. and
What does democracy look like?
discussed at great length was even
more real than it had ever seemed.
This is what democracy looks like!
Many important issues and
Just like charged particles
resolutions were debated and dismoving in a magnetic field,
cussed, but the issue that seemed
the demonstrators created a
to take center stage was increasing
magnitude of power in downtown
union dues. The Delegates includDetroit. The demonstrators were
ed members from Locals who repbeing drawn to the Crown Plaza
resent not only the “Big 3,” but also
to show support for hotel workers
companies like Bosch and even
who were picketing outside the
Plaza on the sidewalk. The workers John Deere. We heard from every
region in every part of the country.
were demanding better wages and
Emotions were high as discusbetter working conditions. The
sion was heard from people who
chants could be heard in unison
throughout the area and you could worked in other industries like
coal mining for example
feel the power on the
“The hardest
or even members who
streets as hundreds of
thing
to
learn
assembled water heatdelegates exited Cobo
in life is which ers. Delegates from all reHall to join the workers.
What a great way to close
bridge to cross gions discussed pros and
cons. People rose in favor
the 36th Constitutional
and which to
and people rose against
Convention.
burn.”
the proposed increase.
As the steam rose from
– D. Russell
Democracy was truly at
beneath the streets and
work
that
day.
climbed above the crowd, it almost
Over 8 hours later, the resolufelt like it was being produced
tion passed. Dues will now go from
from the supporters themselves.
2 hours of your hourly rate to 2½
(Where in the hell does all that
hours of your hourly rate. It was
steam come from anyway?) Leaders
a very hard decision to make, but
including James P. Hoffa and
as I went to bed that night I knew
our newly elected International
I made the right decision. I know
President Dennis Williams were
that with the challenges we face
leading the crowd. Truly, it felt like
and the ongoing war on the middle
we were “letting off some steam.”
class, it had to be done. I didn’t feel
Personally, for me, seeing General
the effects of the “love fest,” didn’t
Motors World Headquarters in
“drink the Kool Aid,” and I most
the background (helping to paint
certainly didn’t “follow the sheep”
the Detroit skyline), it made me
as one member indicated. I, along
with a thousand other delegates,
did what we were elected by our
membership to do – PROTECT IT!
The ½ hour increase will go
into the Strike and Defense fund –
100% into the fund.
I think the one thing that really
bothered me was how one member
said we stabbed
him in the back and
did it behind closed
doors. That couldn’t
be further from the
truth. While I was
prepared to hear
comments both
for and against, I
wasn’t prepared
for the stabbing.
In that same week
(Friday, June 6th),
eligible members at General Motors
received a $1,000 performance
bonus. Not a $1,000 “we love you
long time!” and wanted to say
thanks – a $1,000 union-negotiated
performance bonus. Maybe
that member outta boycott that
paycheck because we stabbed them
in the back.
As a leader, you are faced with
decisions that aren’t just yours
to make. You make them based
on real information and realistic
challenges the membership faces.
I have always had the privilege of
speaking to our retirees and one
thing I have learned from many of
them is that you have to fight for
what you believe in.
I recall a story from one retiree
who said they went out on strike
once for over a week for a $20.00
pair of coveralls. They told me they
received strike pay and it didn’t
nearly cover their lost wages, but
3
they said if they struck for a week
over coveralls, what do you think
they would do or how long would
they stay out on the street to fight
for a pension.
Obviously, the challenges are
different and so are the times,
but the fight is the same. Nobody
wants to go on strike, but if we
have to we will have a very
“healthy” fund. This union is built
on democracy and was won by
democracy. When you fight for
justice together, you win together.
In closing, I would like to talk
about another issue that is very
close to my heart. Local 598 has
always stepped up and taken on
fights, whether they are at the
bargaining table or helping others
fight throughout the community.
For those of you who work the
2nd shift in either chassis/paint/
final, you may have noticed your
committeeman is sporting a new
look. Committeeman Nick Dekalita
has cut his long locks off so he could
help a little girl with leukemia.
Way to go, Nick! Supporting
organizations like Locks of Love or
whichever your choice, maybe it
just shows 598 is the place to be.
Have a great summer and be
safe. Solidarity
4
UAW Local 598 – A Local Union with a Heart
FINANCIAL SECRETARYTREASURER’S REPORT
By Rick Beardslee
Conventional Talk
As I write this article for the June
issue of our Local 598 Eye Opener,
I realize this is the beginning of
another 3 years as your Financial
Secretary, and also reflecting back
on the past 3 years. I have said all
along the past is over and done
with and all we can do is learn
from it on our many successes and
our few unfortunate failures. As
the saying goes, “forget the past,
the future will give you plenty to
worry about.” But worry not, the
future looks bright for Flint Truck
and Local 598.
As I look out the office window
this morning and see the first
steel beam set in place for the new
paint shop, I can only think of the
future and how this will effect and
change the lives of so many of our
Local 598 members.
From the first day as a new hire
at Flint Assembly back in 1984,
there has always been a promise
of a new paint shop throughout
all the different makes and models
that rolled down the assembly
line. That was always the promise.
So after 30 years of waiting and
wanting, this is a very significant
day for me and all of us at Local
598 to finally see the paint shop
taking shape.
I had the good fortune to attend
the Constitutional Convention
with our Local 598 delegates in
Detroit, June 2nd through June
4th. With many proposals brought
to the delegates, the two that
concerned
me the most
were the
merging of Region 1C and Region
1D and the dues increase.
So first, the merging of
Regions is nothing new for the
International Executive Board,
referred to as the IEB. Since the
decline in UAW membership over
the past 12 years due to factory
closings and American jobs moving
overseas, the IEB has proposed
many Regions to merge and often
close down completely across the
United States in order to try to
cut costs in the overall operating
expense of the International UAW.
That being said, it is tough for me
and I hope all of you to accept the
fact that Region 1C, the home of
1937 Sit-Downers and a region
with tremendous union history,
will now be Region 1D.
But together this new region
will be one of the strongest in the
nation with 54 thousand active
UAW members and hundreds of
thousands of retired members
covering an amazing 73 of the 83
counties in the state of Michigan.
So the deal is done, and we must
move forward for the betterment
of our union. But always
remember where we came from
and the great history of the one
and only Region 1C.
Dues increase and the dues
debate – where do I start? Let me
first say the open forum debate
June 2014
started two tier, then the Big
on the floor of the Constitutional
Three followed suit in a costConvention between all the
cutting measure to (in their
regions of the UAW throughout
opinion) save jobs. Now it seems
the United States, Canada
all of America has a tier wage
and Puerto Rico on this dues
system. Then to make matters
increase both for and against
worse, the parts supplier plants
was something I wish all of the
implement a 3- and 4-tier wage
Membership of Local 598 could
package, again in a cost-cutting
have experienced.
measure to (in their opinion) save
It was emotional, heartjobs. Now here we are, UAW
wrenching, passionate, powerful,
Members, making the lowest
informative and educational. I
wage at the bottom of the multicould talk for hours on all the
tiered wage platform.
subject matter, but instead will
The only way to stop this
address the most important
madness is in upcoming UAW
factor of all – the diversification
of the UAW, by definition simply
National Contract Negotiations,
meaning “don’t put all your eggs
and without a strong Strike and
in one basket.”
Defense fund, our union
“So the deal
The UAW has
bargainers will be going
is done, and
evolved over the years
to a gun fight without any
from an Automotive,
we must move bullets.
Aerospace, Aquiculture
Enough said. I’ll end
forward for
base into a wide range
this subject with this.
the
betterment
of members from
We all can pay $100of our union.
Health Care, Higher
$200 per month for our
Education, Casino
social media electronic/
Workers, Part Suppliers, and
service, but some have a hard time
Public Sector workers. Therefore,
sacrificing $10 - $16 per month
leaving the automotive side of the
for the betterment of our Union;
membership at around 30 percent
which has giving us so much –
and a pay range throughout all
most recently (6/1/2014) a $1,000
the sectors from the top at $30.00
Performance Bonus! This is just
plus to the bottom at $8.00. Where
one of many things we seem all
do we fit in to this range? Well,
too often to forget!
that depends on what part of the
Local 598’s golf outing will be
country you live in.
August 10th at Brookwood. The
Members in the North cannot
price is $180.00 per 4-person team.
live on what members in the South
Entry forms can be picked up at
can survive on, and the members
the work center and here at the
on the east and west coast have a
Union Hall. The first 36 teams paid
higher cost of living than all of us.
for and forms turned in to the hall
Then throw in the two-tier wage
are in. Let’s fill this outing up.
Always for the Membership.
system and we all have seen and
experienced what this has done to
the American workforce.
So first, the supplier plants
June 2014
UAW Local 598 – A Local Union with a Heart
5
Mark Schauer: Shoulder to Shoulder with Us
By Mike Emerson
n May 16th,
the Livingston
County Democrats
honored and celebrated
Mark Schauer’s lifetime
commitment to public service
at their annual Winans
dinner. There were many
Democrats attending, and
many in the audience were
family, along with several
many of Mark’s grade school
teachers. Mark said it was a
great homecoming. He grew
up in Livingston County and
his family lived in Howell.
Mark Schauer’s sister,
Anne, introduced her brother,
but not before telling some stories
of Mark’s childhood. The one thing
that stuck with me was her story
about Mark joining the football
team. Anyone who has met Mark
knows he is not a very big guy and,
frankly, I was surprised he played
football. Anne said he was one of
the smallest linemen you’ll ever see
play high school football. They said
he couldn’t do it, and he proved
them wrong. This is a great example
of his character and grit.
He was his high school class
valedictorian. His dad was a teacher
in Genesee County and his mother
was a nurse. Mark worked his
way through Albian College by
pumping gas and flipping burgers.
When Michigan’s economy took
a beating and his neighbors were
struggling, Mark made it his life’s
mission to help them fight back.
He ran a non-profit agency with
over 200 employees which helped
seniors and children and provided
unemployed workers the tools to
get back on their feet.
In 1994, Mark took his fight for
O
his community to the next level,
serving on the Battle Creek City
Commission. Mark served in the
Michigan House from 1997-2003
and in the Michigan Senate from
2003-2009, where he was elected
by his peers to the post of Minority
Leader.
As a state lawmaker, Mark earned
a reputation for fighting back
against the outsourcing of Michigan
jobs.
Mark was elected to the 7th
Congressional District in 2008, a
race they said he could not win. In
Congress, he was instrumental in
passing tougher “Buy American”
laws, rescuing the American auto
industry, ensuring quality health
care for millions, and working to
make college more affordable for
middle-class families.
The Republicans realized they
couldn’t beat a hard worker like
Mark in a head-to-head race, so
when the congressional district
lines were redrawn, Republicans actually drew the lines around Mark’s
house, which cut him out of his own
district. This is the only way they
found to keep him out of office.
When the UAW was fighting
the tax on pensions at the capitol,
Mark was standing on the capitol
grounds shoulder to shoulder with
us and the many other unions
that were there. During the rally
in which we
were locked
out of the
capitol, Mark
was pepper
sprayed, as
was some of
our own.
The
following
week, Mark
was shoulder
to shoulder with us again at the
big “Right-to-Work” rally when
it was signed into law. On White
Shirt Day, Mark once again stood
shoulder to shoulder with us to
honor the Sit-Downers.
Shoulder to shoulder at Local
651, UAW with Congressman Dan
Kildee, State Senator Jim Ananich,
State Representative Pam Faris, and
Michigan Democratic Chairman
Lon Johnson is where we found
Mark Schauer on Saturday, June
14th. He was there to support Dan
Kildee and the early opening of the
Democratic-coordinated campaign
headquarters, now located at
Local 651, UAW,
on Robert T.
Longway in Flint.
Expressing the
urgency of the
campaign, Lon
Johnson said,
“We are opening
this campaign
headquarters in
June, not August
or September.
Folks, we are starting in June.”
Let’s stand shoulder to shoulder,
Brothers and Sisters, to elect Mark
Schauer our next governor. He’s a
union man and he’s one of us. On
that capitol lawn, I stood next to
Mark, shoulder to shoulder. Anyone
interested in volunteering should
call or stop by Local 651, UAW.
6
UAW Local 598 – A Local Union with a Heart
20
June 2014
TH
ANNUAL
Union City Ball Field • 4151 Torrey Road • Flint, Michigan
Sunday, July 20, 2014
MOST Softball Tournament
u Project Vox Walk for Recovery, 8:00 a.m.
u Union City Trout Pond, 11:00 a.m.
u Children’s Games/Activities, 11:00 a.m.
u Euchre Tournament, 12:00 p.m.
Clean,
u Horseshoes, 12:00 p.m.
Sober,
u Volleyball, 1:00 p.m.
Fun!!!
u
Box Lunches,
Raffles, Dancing
and much more!
Call (810)
236-6834
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM • RAIN
Local
598
OR
Active Members
of Local 598
Flint
I 69
Bristol Rd
N
W
Union C ity
US 23
SHINE
E
S
I 75
Hill Rd.
Torrey Rd
SATURDAY, August 10, 2014
IMA BROOKWOOD GOLF COURSE
6045 DAVISON RD., BURTON
Registration: 7:30 a.m. until 8:30 a.m.
Shotgun Start: 9:00 a.m.
ENTRY FEE
45
$
00
PER LOCAL
598 MEMBER
OR
18000
$
PER
TEAM!
Fee includes: 18 Holes of Golf with cart,
Prizes, Refreshments,
Lunch at Turn, and Meal Following
4-Person Entry forms also available in the
Scramble Work Center, at the Union Hall.
DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES is Friday, August 1, 2014
(or until first 36 teams are registered)
Please turn your entry forms in at the Union Hall.
Payment of entry fees must accompany forms.
UAW Local 598 Golf Scramble Entry Form
List of Players
Please Print
NAME (*denotes captain)
Phone Number
Last Four
Digits of SS#
*1.__________________________________________________________________
2.___________________________________________________________________
Don’t delay – limited openings
3.___________________________________________________________________
Must have (last four digits) of Social Security numbers
for each player in order to verify membership
in Local 598, UAW.
4.___________________________________________________________________
Players MUST BE MEMBERS (active) of Local 598, UAW
in order to participate in the Golf Outing.
Date entry fee received ____________
Receipt number _________________
Tee assigned ___________________
Local
598
DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES
is Friday, August 1, 2014
(or until first 36 teams are registered)
Please turn your entry forms in at the Union Hall.
Payment of entry fees must accompany forms.
7
UAW Local 598 – A Local Union with a Heart
June 2014
Today, we are writing tomorrow’s history!
By Chad Fabbro, Constitutional
Convention Delegate
I would like to take the time to
thank our membership for electing
me to the 36th UAW Constitutional
Convention. A lot of good debate
on the floor of Cobo, and a lot of
good speakers, too! I have always
said I’m only as strong as the
people I represent. Let me tell
you, brothers and sisters, I could
feel the power of the UAW and its
arm’s reach. As I talked with other
delegates, I was proud to tell them
about all of you and how strong
we are at 598. We are truly blessed
to have a great product here and
are even more blessed that our
membership knows how to build
the best truck in the nation!
Dues Increase
There was a lot of talk on the
floor about the changes made to
our constitution. The biggest was
probably the union dues increase.
This was a tough call to make
because we work hard to make
the money we do make. On the
other side, I get why it needed
to happen. It’s looking like OUR
union has some big fights on the
table. President Williams said
here are few of the things we are
fighting for: ending the two-tier
wages, giving back retirees some
of what was taken from them, and
our hard-working brothers and
sisters who have not seen a raise in
7 years would like something, too.
Know that the Strike and
Defense fund is telling the
company that we are done taking
your sh-- and we are ready to
strike if need be. All the delegates
agreed to revisit the increase
in 2018 at the 37th Convention
and to remove it once we have it
built up. This half-hour increase
goes directly into the Strike fund.
It’s not easy to make these calls,
but we are soldiers in the labor
movement and what we do today
Democracy in Action
By Jack Whyte,
Education Committee
At the 36th Constitutional
Convention 2014, the debate over
the Article 16 Revision was a long,
passionate and very emotional
one. It states in part (in Section 2a)
that membership dues shall now
be equivalent to 2½ hours straighttime pay.
After the resolution was read
out loud, President Bob King
asked each of the 10 regions for
2 delegates to speak for, and 2
delegates to speak against. This
would continue until all the regions
debated the issue, then begin again
until everyone was heard.
The recommendation for the
increase by the Executive Board
was presented because “at no time
in the UAW’s history has it been
more important to have a strong
strike fund. The International
Union needs the backing to
bring the fight to the companies
that currently have 2 tiers and
temporary workers.”
During the debate, a delegate
made a strong speech for the increase saying “I refuse to send my
leadership into battle without ammunition in their guns to fight with.”
There was a great concern on
what this article would say to the
membership. Some would say “we
need to support it, so the union is
financially strong to negotiate for
the elimination of the 2 tier.” The
other concern was how can people
who haven’t had a raise in 9 years
and 2nd-tier workers be asked for
½ hour more per month?
In the end, there was a general
understanding that the UAW is the
only friend the worker has. The
companies don’t give us anything
that is not bargained for. Therefore
without an increase in the strike
and defense fund, we all must give
up the fight, tie our leadership’s
hands behind their backs and beg
for the scraps the corporations
would offer.
will define our tomorrow.
IT’S OUR TIME! And we have to
stand together more today than we
ever have before. The membership
of Local 598 will rise up when
OUR union calls because we have
a history here in Flint, home of the
Sit-Downers. We have a chance
to drive the biggest comeback the
labor movement and the world
has ever seen. Not only be part of
it, but lead the charge! This will
go down in our history books as
the time when we looked these
big companies in the eye and told
them enough is an enough.
We had the opportunity to see
President Obama thank Bob King
for his hard work and dedication
to the labor movement. He
welcomed Dennis Williams to his
new seat as President of the UAW
and urged us to keep fighting for
the middle class. It’s nice to be
part of something so big that the
President of the United States of
America takes time out of his day
to stop and show you some respect
and tell you that he appreciates
what you do for working-class
America!
In closing, it was an honor to
go to Detroit, represent you, and
listen to what our leadership has
planned. Too many times, we feel
forgotten at the Local level because
we think they can’t hear our
screams in Flint. Trust me, they hear
us, and the tides are turning for us.
I urge you to stand with me in
SOLIDARITY and FIGHT for your
brothers and sisters not getting
paid a fair day’s pay for a fair
day’s work. It’s TIME for us to
hold hands and be STRONG.
In 2014, we need to get rid of
Governor Rick Snyder and in 2015
we go to war with the Big Three.
Because today we are writing
tomorrow’s history. God bless
each and every one of you and our
leadership of the UAW.
Sometimes it is easy to forget
that the auto component of the
UAW is only approximately a third
of the membership. While we (auto
workers) had a freeze on striking
and wages, the UAW fought for
members with great intensity.
Earlier in the convention,
President Dennis Williams
stated “Our #1 need and goal is
to re-engage and mobilize our
membership. It’s time to fight. It’s
time to bridge the gap. It’s time
to lift up people. It’s time for each
and every one of us to tell our
corporations: No more concessions.
The key to democracy in the United
States is the right to negotiate for
human rights. Global Solidarity is
what the UAW is all about. We all
believe in equal pay for equal work,
that’s the key to the UAW.”
After all the regions were called
on to voice their memberships’
concerns from the floor, a member
“called for the question.” After
being voted on and passing, it
closed the debate for the issue. At
this point, the vote was taken. An
overwhelming show of hands in
support resulted in the Article 16
Revision to pass.
The theme for the convention
was “It’s Our Time.” Our last
contract was a “take it or leave it”
proposition for the auto industry
workers. GM was literally hours
away from filing Chapter 7 in
bankruptcy court, which would
have meant a liquidation of all
GM assets, an end to our jobs, and
seniority. Pensions would default
to the government guarantee of
50% or less.
The passing of the Article 16
revisions was a show of faith in
our leadership. If the membership
is dissatisfied with the results or
feels the International Union has
misused the funds, it will not
stand. Section 1(g) states “Article
16, Section 2(a) and Section 2(b)
shall be subject to reaffirmation
at the 37th Constitutional
Convention in June 2018. If not
reaffirmed, minimum monthly
dues shall revert back to 2010
levels.”
June 2014
UAW Local 598 – A Local Union with a Heart
CLASSIFIED ADS
Due to the increased number of want ads/services we are receiving,
ads must be submitted monthly and will be run on a first-come, firstserve basis. We will be limited to ads/services submitted in a Local 598
member’s name only. Thank you for your cooperation.
F O R S A L E
R E N T A L
HOUSE: Northside – 3 bedrooms,
basement, 1-car garage, armor guard
windows, for sale or rent/section 8 or
$430. Call: 810-234-3522.
* * * * *
1998 JAYCO EAGLE 5TH WHEEL:
$6,999, 12½’ super slider, sleeper
sofa, ducted air w/thermo, new 10-ply
tires, new queen mattress, new battery,
and new brakes. Pantry with lots of
cupboards, microwave, stove, and oven
and can stand up in bedroom. Call:
989-472-7874.
* * * * *
MEMORIAL PARK CEMETERY LOT:
4 Lots, $3,000 a lot or best offer. Call:
760-231-8029.
* * * * *
WATERFRONT LOT: with 2 acres, 200’
on water and 200’ on road. Call: George
Erinjeri at 810-908-8483.
* * * * *
10 ACRES: Marion Springs Area, Burt
Rd. & Curtis, vacant lot, good site to build
or hunt. Call: 810-348-5073.
GARRETT METAL DETECTORS: call
Mandelo Coin Co., weekdays until 5:00
p.m. at 989-720-7030.
S E R V I C E S
HARDWOOD FLOORS: sanded,
refinished, including parquet floors,
quality work, 25 years’ experience. Free
estimates. Call: 810-813-1442.
* * * * *
SKIN-TIGHT FENCE: residential chain
link fence, over 30 years’ experience,
install and repair and free estimates.
Call: 810-845-7211.
* * * * *
EDNA’S CAKES: Name it and I’ll make
it. Call: 810-742-1249.
* * * * *
HOME IMPROVEMENT: concrete,
cement, bathrooms, fire damage,
painting. Call: 810-449-2715.
* * * * *
RELIANCE LAWN CARE: top soil, brush
hogging, grading, mowing, landscape
installation. Call: 810-397-5067.
Missed, Not Forgotten
THANK YOU
Thank you for your gift (Bible). It was so
thoughtful of you.
– Phoebe Zamora
* * * * *
To all of my friends and co-workers
at Flint Assembly who gave me such a
GREAT SEND-OFF INTO RETIREMENT,
I just want to say THANKS FOR
EVERYTHING!! I will think of you each
time I catch a fish with my new rod, reel
and lures! THANKS AGAIN!
– Sincerely, Grover Schmidt
* * * * *
I would like to thank the following 598
members who came to my desperate need
to help while my son, Stephen W. Skacall,
was hospitalized at Henry Ford Hospital
and sadly passed away May 31, 2014.
Stonewall Johnson (retiree), Fred Wright
(Benefit Rep.), Mike Grandstaff (retiree),
Steve Hawkins (retiree), Ryan Buchalski
(V.P. Local 598), Norma Bigelow (retiree),
and most of all to my daughter, Christine;
she has never left my side. Sharp Funeral
Homes helped make an unbearable event
in my life easier to deal with because of
their kindness and professionalism. Again,
thank you Mike Grandstaff. Alicia, thank
you for remembering to give me the
beautiful Bible.
– Rosemary Holland, 598 Retiree
* * * * *
Thank You,
Perhaps you sent a lovely card, or
sat quietly in a chair. Perhaps you sent
a funeral spray, if so we saw it there.
Perhaps you spoke the kindest words, as
any friend could say. Perhaps you were
not there at all, just thought of us that day.
Whatever you did to console our hearts,
we thank you so much whatever the part.
– Family of Clinton ‘Butch’ Stebbins
Doreen Stebbins & family
In Memoriam
The Officers, Representatives and
Members of Local 598 extend
their deepest sympathy
to the families of our
recently deceased members.
Brian K. Cece (Retired)
Johnnie E. Brown (Retired)
Richard J. Simpson, Jr. (Retired)
8
Clinton W. Stebbins (Retired)
Rau Vizcarra (Retired)
Michael Warth (Active)
By Todd Wilcox
My wife and I recently returned
from Washington, DC, where
we participated in a motorcycle
demonstration called Rolling
Thunder. We had a great time,
beautiful weather, and met a lot of
fellow veterans.
Some of the riders had seen
combat, some did not, and some
riders were never in the service at
all. But we were all there Memorial
weekend to honor POW/MIA's
and all those who had paid the
ultimate sacrifice in the service of
their country.
Four hours after the first
motorcycle pulled out of the
Pentagon parking lot, it was our
turn to saddle up and ride. We
rode past Arlington National
Cemetery, over the Potomac River,
and into the National Mall. Down
Constitution Ave. we went, where
servicemen in uniform saluted,
men, women and children waved
and held up signs, such as 'Thank
you for remembering my dad.’ and
'Thanks for honoring my son.' It
was quite touching and prideful all
at once.
We passed between Congress
and the Washington Monument
and down Independence Ave. to
the west end of the mall, where we
parked. Then, it was off to see the
war memorials.
My wife and I were just leaving
the Vietnam Wall when we heard a
disturbing remark. A young couple
stood by us and the husband said
“I want to go see the Vietnam
Wall,” and his wife replied, “Why,
it's just a bunch of names on a
wall?” Just a bunch of names on
a wall? I was stunned. I couldn't
comprehend how that crass
statement could be uttered at such
a hallowed site.
At that moment, my wish was for
her to see the note that I had seen
at the wall. I'll be brief and leave the
serviceman's name out. It read...
"Dear dad, you don't know me
but I married the son you never got
to see or hold. I wanted to let you
know that he turned out to be a great
husband, father, and friend. You are
missed and will never be forgotten,
for your picture hangs on our wall so
your grandchildren will know who
their grandfather was. Love, your
daughter-in-law."
That to me doesn't sound like
it was just a name on a wall, but a
man who lives on in the memories
of his family and who is honored
by his fellow veterans and countrymen for his service and sacrifice.
All in all, it was a wonderful
gathering of veterans and nonveterans who like to ride and are
proud of their country. Rolling
Thunder began 26 years ago and is
an annual event that today honors
and helps veterans of all branches
of the military.
The next Rolling Thunder
demonstration will be held
Sunday, May 24, 2015 in
Washington, DC.
9
UAW Local 598 – A Local Union with a Heart
June 2014
Retiree Report
by Janet Woodson, Retiree Chairperson
This month’s meeting, being my first to chair, was
an exciting time for me. I would like to thank all those
who came out and hope to see more of you in the
coming months.
Don’t forget about the Soberfest celebration Sunday, July 20th, out
at Union City Fields (see notice on page 6) and the Flint Assembly Open
House in the plant on Tuesday, August 12, 2014.
We have two members that I am aware of that are ill, Saul Schwartz
and Linda Smith. I ask that you pray for them, and if you know of
anyone else, please call me at 810-238-4605, ext. 18 and leave me their
name and information.
This is an election year and we need your help. Any time you are
available to volunteer for the upcoming election, it would be greatly
appreciated. I hope you all have a wonderful and safe summer and I look
forward to seeing everyone this fall.
GOLF SCRAMBLE GOLF SCRAMBLE GOLF SCRAMBLE
UAW Local 598 Retiree
RETIRED WORKERS CHAPTER
TUESDAY, AUGUST 12th – Flint Assembly Open House
FRIDAY, AUGUST 22nd – Retiree Golf Outing at Fenton Farms
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11th – Chapter Meeting
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9th – Chapter Meeting
WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22nd & 23rd –
Overnight Casino Trip – Sault Ste. Marie
C
ongratulations
The Officers, Staff and Members of Local 598 extend their
sincerest congratulations and thanks for the many years of
dedication service by these recent retirees. We wish you
the best and assure you, you will be missed!
th
6
Recording Secretary Judy Mosier
congratulates her friend Joe
Trepton on his retirement.
Friday
August 22ND
A P P L I C AT I ON
FORM
•4-Person Teams
•18 holes will be played
(carts included)
•$140 Entry Fee Per Team
Fenton Farms
Golf Course
12312 TORREY RD. • FENTON
Phone: (810) 750-6098
•Winter rules & golf course rules prevail
•Prizes for top teams
•Shotgun Start promptly at 8:30 a.m.
(Coffee & Donuts at 7:00 a.m.)
6th Annual Local 598 Retiree Golf Scramble
August 22, 2014 • FENTON FARMs Golf CouRse
Please Print
NAME
LAST 4 DIGITS SS#
HOME PHONE
Stop by the Benefits Office
or Union Hall to get your
picture taken to appear in
the Eye Opener.
UAW Local 598
CLASSIFIEDS
Financial Secretary Rick
Beardslee congratulates Mark
Diamond on his retirement.
RECENTLY RETIRED:
Charlie W. Bell, Jr. Fred W. Mead
Robert G. Clark
Ronald F. Sparks
Tyrone Jackson
THE EYE OPENER
Circle One: For Sale Wanted Service Free For Rent Trade Thank You
Limited Ad Please: ______________________________________________
___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
1._________________________________________________________________________
Phone:_____________________________________________________
2._________________________________________________________________________
Address:___________________________________________________
3._________________________________________________________________________
4._________________________________________________________________________
Payable by Cash or Check made to: UAW Local 598 Retirees
Local
598 Union Hall
Entry forms MUST be
in by August 8, 2014!
G-3293 Van Slyke Rd., Flint, MI 48507
Any questions, contact JAN
WOODSON or Don Clark at the Union Hall – (810) 238-4605, ext. 18
Send ads to: UAW LOCAL 598, Editor
G-3293 Van Slyke Rd., Flint, Michigan 48507
Circle one: RETIRED LAID-OFF ACTIVE
Your Name: ________________________________________________
Dept. No.: _________________________________________________
10
UAW Local 598 – A Local Union with a Heart
June 2014