Post by bobio3 on Nov 11, 2015 15:43:32 GMT -5
Shared from other brothers and sisters:
Why vote NO??? Let our union rep tell you why!!!
THIS IS A MUST READ !!!!
This post is from one of our brothers on the bargaining committee at Dearborn Assembly:
Ford contract -- If we don’t get it back now, when will we ever get it?
The Ford contract is basically the same as the GM and Chrysler contracts, with slightly more bonus money. It does not repay us for all the concessions we have given up. It does not even bring us back to the standard of living we were at before the concessions started.
Does not bring back yearly raises and COLA. This contract has 2 raises of 3% and 2 lump sum bonuses, plus other bonuses. But the standard UAW contract used to be a 3% raise every year, plus COLA (cost-of-living) and profit-sharing. Bonuses instead of raises mean less money in the long run.
Does not end 2-tier. It will take 8 years to get to 1st tier, but it is a 4-year contract. People used to get to 1st-tier pay in 3 years or less, why not now? Even those who get to 1st-tier pay still don’t get a pension. They’re still 2nd-tier. This contract creates more tiers – lower pay for temporary workers and workers at Sterling, Rawsonville and Woodhaven.
Does not protect permanent jobs. The contract allows the company to hire many more temporary workers, at low pay and few benefits. They can be used for daily absentee replacements, as well as other reasons. They could amount to 10% or more of the workforce, taking away permanent jobs.
Does not protect pensions. There is no raise for retirees. It used to be that every contract would increase pensions a little to account for inflation. Plus retirees need help more than ever, since they are paying more out of pocket for health care, due to the VEBA. The pension increases stopped and the VEBA started during the concessions, but the concessions are supposed to be over, aren’t they???
Does not protect health care. The contract leaves the door open for changes that could limit our choices or increase our costs. The letter on Alternative Plans allows changes to our health care coverage after the contract is ratified.
Does not improve working conditions. We used to have more break time. Maximum schedule used to be 10 hours per day, with overtime after 8. We lost those things with the concessions and alternative work schedules. We are getting none of those things back. Plus, they are increasing the number of mandatory Super Days for 3 Crew from 6 to 9.
Where does this contract leave us? Yes, there is more money than in the last contract. But the legacy workers are still not nearly back to what we had before. The 2nd-tier workers are facing a future living worse off than their parents. Why can’t we get back to the pay and benefits we used to have? Don’t tell us the company can’t afford it! Why should we vote Yes on this contract?
In 2011, Ford workers were threatened by the top union leadership that if we voted No, they would put us out on strike and we would get less. That was nothing but extortion. Ford has record sales and is making record profits. We have power over the company right now. There is no reason we can’t get what we need. We should get it now!
That’s why I believe we should vote No!
Gary Walkowicz Bargaining Committeeman, Dearborn Truck Plant
gwalk32@att.net (313) 737-3166 labor donated 11/10/2015
Why vote NO??? Let our union rep tell you why!!!
THIS IS A MUST READ !!!!
This post is from one of our brothers on the bargaining committee at Dearborn Assembly:
Ford contract -- If we don’t get it back now, when will we ever get it?
The Ford contract is basically the same as the GM and Chrysler contracts, with slightly more bonus money. It does not repay us for all the concessions we have given up. It does not even bring us back to the standard of living we were at before the concessions started.
Does not bring back yearly raises and COLA. This contract has 2 raises of 3% and 2 lump sum bonuses, plus other bonuses. But the standard UAW contract used to be a 3% raise every year, plus COLA (cost-of-living) and profit-sharing. Bonuses instead of raises mean less money in the long run.
Does not end 2-tier. It will take 8 years to get to 1st tier, but it is a 4-year contract. People used to get to 1st-tier pay in 3 years or less, why not now? Even those who get to 1st-tier pay still don’t get a pension. They’re still 2nd-tier. This contract creates more tiers – lower pay for temporary workers and workers at Sterling, Rawsonville and Woodhaven.
Does not protect permanent jobs. The contract allows the company to hire many more temporary workers, at low pay and few benefits. They can be used for daily absentee replacements, as well as other reasons. They could amount to 10% or more of the workforce, taking away permanent jobs.
Does not protect pensions. There is no raise for retirees. It used to be that every contract would increase pensions a little to account for inflation. Plus retirees need help more than ever, since they are paying more out of pocket for health care, due to the VEBA. The pension increases stopped and the VEBA started during the concessions, but the concessions are supposed to be over, aren’t they???
Does not protect health care. The contract leaves the door open for changes that could limit our choices or increase our costs. The letter on Alternative Plans allows changes to our health care coverage after the contract is ratified.
Does not improve working conditions. We used to have more break time. Maximum schedule used to be 10 hours per day, with overtime after 8. We lost those things with the concessions and alternative work schedules. We are getting none of those things back. Plus, they are increasing the number of mandatory Super Days for 3 Crew from 6 to 9.
Where does this contract leave us? Yes, there is more money than in the last contract. But the legacy workers are still not nearly back to what we had before. The 2nd-tier workers are facing a future living worse off than their parents. Why can’t we get back to the pay and benefits we used to have? Don’t tell us the company can’t afford it! Why should we vote Yes on this contract?
In 2011, Ford workers were threatened by the top union leadership that if we voted No, they would put us out on strike and we would get less. That was nothing but extortion. Ford has record sales and is making record profits. We have power over the company right now. There is no reason we can’t get what we need. We should get it now!
That’s why I believe we should vote No!
Gary Walkowicz Bargaining Committeeman, Dearborn Truck Plant
gwalk32@att.net (313) 737-3166 labor donated 11/10/2015
