Post by TonyV on Feb 28, 2011 16:29:09 GMT -5
National Ford Council
Kansas City, MO February 24, 2011
The National Ford Council met on February 24 in Region 5. Region 5 Director Jim Wells
welcomed the council.
UAW Assistant Director Gloria Moya has been working on improving the publicity of
the UAW to illustrate the many ways that the UAW gives back to the communities. She
encouraged as many pictures and information about what each Local is doing in their
community. Her first steps have been in the Detroit area and her team has composed three
commercials for that area. The goal is to work in each area to inform the community just how
active the UAW works to help out in many different ways. UAW Vice President Jimmy Settles
has also partnered with Wayne State University Labor Study Center to start a program that will
educate the membership better about Social Unionism.
Darryl Nolan- Report on Equality of Sacrifice Grievance (EOS) – VP Settles assigned Darryl
to the EOS Grievance. Due to the unmanageability of the EOS, the International UAW made the
EOS a Policy Grievance. The biggest significance of this is it states exactly the same details with
the same requested resolutions. Darryl reported that the first order of business that VP Settles
directed was to involve the UAW Legal Department. The normal policy is the National Ford
Department handles all grievances that go to arbitration. Involving the UAW Legal Department
was additional important support for the Policy Grievance. The Legal Department also involved
the Research Department. This entire process is very meticulous. Immediately the UAW started
meeting with the company. The company has tried to make the grievance go away, but the UAW
continues to stand strong. VP Settles said," this will NOT go away." If the company would have
been willing to settle without taking the grievance to arbitration the UAW was willing to listen.
This only appeared to be a stall tactic, the company and their lawyers have been consistent in
their efforts to keep this grievance from going to the arbitrator. The UAW has made it clear that
this is going to the arbitrator and has proceeded with the process. The National Academy of
Arbitrators has an "Elite Group" from which there has finally been an agreement on an arbitrator.
There are two significant dates, which are; March 18, 2011 and April 1, 2011. The first, 3/18, is
when the requested information by the UAW is due from the company. Also during this time, it
could be possible that the UAW may have to subpoena the company for the information. The
most significant information the UAW is seeking is the salary pay for 2010 and their projections
of pay for 2011. Once the UAW receives this information, they will assess the information and
send the company a proposed plan. On the 4/1 date the hearing will begin. The hearing will be an
ongoing process. There is not a positive date as to when the process will be finalized. Jimmy
Settles committed to keeping the membership updated, Darryl also reiterated the same to the
council.
Jeff Dokho- UAW Strategic Research Department- Profit Sharing- Jeff gave an in-depth
explanation of the Profit Sharing for 2010. He reported that the company came to the UAW in
November of 2010. They told the UAW that based on their calculations they did not owe the
memberships any profit sharing for the profits of 2010. Obviously, this did not go well with the
UAW. The company explained that with Ford Motor Credit's removal from the equation and the
stipulation that required 50% of North American profits are required to come from US Sales,
their figures said they did not owe the membership anything. North America made 5.4 billions
dollars in 2010. Between Mexico/Canada and other North American sales, special items and
interest, a total of 3.1 billion dollars was removed from the 5.4. Out of the 3.1 billion dollars
subtracted, the UAW has no control over some of these items. The biggest of this 3.1 was the
additional interest paid on the debt of the company. With the 2.3 billion dollars left, it would
require the company to pay out 120 million dollars to 40,559 members, which is approximately
$3,000 per member. This infuriated the UAW leadership! Thus, meetings began with the
company and the International UAW. Lead by President Bob King and VP Settles, they strongly
urged the company to: "does the right thing". The right thing being that the membership
absolutely deserved profit sharing and not just $3,000. Even though the contract states that Ford
Motor Credit is no longer calculated in the equation, it would be "right" to include it. If included,
this would make approximately a $2,000 difference. These negotiations took place for several
days and even past midnight on the day of announcement. Jimmy Settles fought to get the
additional money for the membership, which will be an average of $5,000. Jeff reported out
some interesting numbers to help explain the difference in our 1999 check of an average of
$8,000. In 1999, the company had 10.5 billion dollars more cash than it had debt. Ford Motor
Credit was still in the equation and Ford had more interest income than interest expenses. After
1999 the downward trend started. There were buyouts, the VEBA, and significant operating
losses. In 2009 and 2010, we began to move forward. Some differences between then and now
are: no more Ford Motor Credit, considerable debt, debt that the company has made strong
efforts to pay back at a more aggressive rate than planned.
UAW Departmental Reports
Ruth Golden –Education- Ruth reported out the following points:
Employee Tuition Assistance Plans (ETAP) (reinstated on 6/1/10)
• ETAP- Active employees ($5,000) college credit classes towards a degree
of which $200 can be used for book reimbursement
• Personal Development (PDA) for enhancing job specific training or
closing plants ($2,200 of the $5,000) for active only
• NVRAP- indefinite lay off (up to $8,400) depending on seniority
• RETAP- Retirees ($1,750) at the plant, local or region
Some other information concerning the reinstatement of the ETAP is Labor Study Classes for
active, retired, and laid-off employees at approved Universities. Employee Resource
Coordinators will work with the ETAP Team to provide information to employees on guidelines,
distribute flyers and website information as well as coordinated Education Fairs. Education Fairs
are happening with others planned at various sites. Ruth reminded the council of the websites for
applications, www.myuawford.com and www.uawford.com to print out forms.
Darwin Harris- Employee Special Services Program (ESSP)/ Diversity
ESSP- Darwin reported out ongoing training for the ESSP reps. Also, their department is
working with the ESSP reps on contract resolutions. The department has plans to reconstruct the
ESSP website as well.
Diversity- currently the team is updating the Diversity website. In coordination with the
launch of the new Equality and Diversity website training was held at the National Programs
Center in December of 2010. Approximately 92 hourly workers and 8 salaried workers attended
a three-day training conducted by Multi Training System called Diversity Facilitator Training.
The training consisted of:
• Trainer Roles & Responsibilities
• Diversity Website Overview
• Diversity Presentation Skills Overview
• C0-Facilitator Interviews
• Generations Activity
• Recap of previous days' training
• Team Activity
• Q & As
With this training, the UAW-Ford Equality and Diversity program now offers:
• (6) New Employee Orientation Training Modules
• New Appointee Orientation training modules
• (28) Targeted Training (simply point lessons) modules
• (5) Leadership Training (single point lessons) modules
Participants, upon return to their respective locations, were asked to:
• Report back to supervision/management what was learned and ask for
their support in making sure the proper tools and time to deliver the
training that was learned
• Get Diversity Team together and share what was learned at the training
• Facilitators top priorities to focus on are:
o Determine group needs to address and timing to do so
o Cascade targeted training materials throughout the local facility
including conduction appropriate Train-the-Trainer session with
Supervisor and/or Work Group Leaders and Superintendents/Area
Managers, or whatever groups as appropriate at each location
o Deliver/Facilitate the New Orientation Program, New Appointee
Program and/or Leadership Refresher Program as needed
Bob Rebecca- Benefits Rep. - Bob reported out first about the retirees and the $76.20 age 65
benefit that many of our retirees had not been receiving. This issue is fixed starting in March and
these retirees that have been denied this benefit will have a back pay check of $1400 coming in
May. If you know any retirees that have had issues or questions about this issue, please refer
them to John Klefot or Adam Abell at the Union Hall at 241-9491.
Any of our members that will
be adding any of their children back on their insurance with the change of eligibility age to 26
years old will receive a letter asking to show proof of age. A copy of their birth certificate will be
required for the records. Another issue that our retirees are experiencing is the inefficiency of
ACS. This company has caused many issues for the retirees and these issues are being
aggressively addressed by the International UAW.
Rick Popp- Director of Employee Benefits
Bob Rebecca asked that any concerns be emailed to Rick at: RPOPP@ford.com. It is
understood that there are several issues with ASC and Rick wants the concerns sent to him in
order to address these issues with Marty Mulloy.
Other issues are as follows:
• Ohio is experiencing a lot of issues with only having one HMO. They
originally had five
• Currently we have 129,000 Retirees and dependents under the VEBA
• The retiree's pension benefit was paid by Comerica Bank and now it is
paid by State Street Bank. Our retirees will see a change in the arrival of
their checks. Comerica would send the checks out the last week of the
month for the upcoming month. State Street sends out the checks the first
week of the month for that particular month. Basically they will see a
week's delay in receiving their check. This change was done without
letting the UAW know in order to warn the retirees
• Surviving spouses have had concerns in receiving their death benefit upon
the death of their retired spouse. Lump sum payments are being made to
the spouses experiencing this issue of approximately $700 until it is
caught up and corrected. This is another issue from ACS, Jimmy Settles as
additionally assigned Susan Suarez to help out on these concerns.
• A sad number to report is currently we are averaging approximately 500
retiree deaths per month.
Mike Geiger- Job Security Program
Mike reported that as of 2/6/11 we have 38,765 members. That number reflects 10,810
fewer than we had at the start of the last contract in 2007.
Currently we have 200 that are totally
out of TAP, with 100 of those employees without any type of job. Currently there is $317 million
left in the Short Work Week fund. We are losing approximately $100,000 per month due to the
Pre-Retirement Buy-out Benefit. These payments will be completely exhausted by June 1, 2011.
Also, we have $558 million currently in the SUB fund.
Finally, Mike reported that we have 330
Skilled Trades laid-off from their Trade and working in production. Additionally, there are 45
Skilled Trades out on ILO.
Lisa Barnett/Rocky Dilacove- Skilled Trades
Currently there are 30 apprentices in the system. All of the apprentices are due to turn out
by the end of the year. We have not put on any apprentices since the contract of 2007. Their has
been a lot of conversation about re-skilling the trades that are not working in their classification.
.Jimmy Settles- Vice President UAW/President of National Ford Department- Jimmy
started his report talking about the image of the UAW. Jimmy said, "We have allowed everyone
to define us…..but us." He talked about educating our membership to what the UAW is all about
and what we do and have done. He also feels it is so important that the public knows this as well.
No one gives back to the community like our membership. He also has let the company know
that the membership has helped save Ford and have NOT received the recognition that they
deserve. The membership has given up more that $6 an hour. This is a big sacrifice by the
membership. He also said that our membership comes to work everyday and builds a QUALITY
vehicle! Jimmy addressed the jackets that we will be getting this year. The UAW went to the
company and told them that they need to do something for the membership. The company came
back to the UAW and said they did NOT have the funds to do anything. The UAW decided that
Jackets could be bought with joint funds for the membership. At this point, the company decided
to contribute as well because it would not be fair for management not to recieve a jacket when
everyone else would. Unbelievable!
Jimmy addressed the EOS/Policy grievance; he told the
council that he knew that this has taken excessively long. He said that it is important to make
sure we do this correctly. He said that the company is nervous about this grievance going to the
arbitrator. He addressed the issue currently on going in Wisconsin concerning the workers rights
of collective bargaining possibly being taken away. This sad effort by the Wisconsin government
has caused the workers and many others to support worker's rights. We have many battles as
such, but we are taking on these battles fighting for our rights. It is the International UAW's goal
to educate and support such battles. We must become strong as we face such issues as the
government's effort to destroy the middle class. This concluded VP Settles report and closed out
the meeting of the National Ford Council.
Delegates
Scott Eskridge
Rocky Comito
Rodney Janes
Charlie Jones
Kansas City, MO February 24, 2011
The National Ford Council met on February 24 in Region 5. Region 5 Director Jim Wells
welcomed the council.
UAW Assistant Director Gloria Moya has been working on improving the publicity of
the UAW to illustrate the many ways that the UAW gives back to the communities. She
encouraged as many pictures and information about what each Local is doing in their
community. Her first steps have been in the Detroit area and her team has composed three
commercials for that area. The goal is to work in each area to inform the community just how
active the UAW works to help out in many different ways. UAW Vice President Jimmy Settles
has also partnered with Wayne State University Labor Study Center to start a program that will
educate the membership better about Social Unionism.
Darryl Nolan- Report on Equality of Sacrifice Grievance (EOS) – VP Settles assigned Darryl
to the EOS Grievance. Due to the unmanageability of the EOS, the International UAW made the
EOS a Policy Grievance. The biggest significance of this is it states exactly the same details with
the same requested resolutions. Darryl reported that the first order of business that VP Settles
directed was to involve the UAW Legal Department. The normal policy is the National Ford
Department handles all grievances that go to arbitration. Involving the UAW Legal Department
was additional important support for the Policy Grievance. The Legal Department also involved
the Research Department. This entire process is very meticulous. Immediately the UAW started
meeting with the company. The company has tried to make the grievance go away, but the UAW
continues to stand strong. VP Settles said," this will NOT go away." If the company would have
been willing to settle without taking the grievance to arbitration the UAW was willing to listen.
This only appeared to be a stall tactic, the company and their lawyers have been consistent in
their efforts to keep this grievance from going to the arbitrator. The UAW has made it clear that
this is going to the arbitrator and has proceeded with the process. The National Academy of
Arbitrators has an "Elite Group" from which there has finally been an agreement on an arbitrator.
There are two significant dates, which are; March 18, 2011 and April 1, 2011. The first, 3/18, is
when the requested information by the UAW is due from the company. Also during this time, it
could be possible that the UAW may have to subpoena the company for the information. The
most significant information the UAW is seeking is the salary pay for 2010 and their projections
of pay for 2011. Once the UAW receives this information, they will assess the information and
send the company a proposed plan. On the 4/1 date the hearing will begin. The hearing will be an
ongoing process. There is not a positive date as to when the process will be finalized. Jimmy
Settles committed to keeping the membership updated, Darryl also reiterated the same to the
council.
Jeff Dokho- UAW Strategic Research Department- Profit Sharing- Jeff gave an in-depth
explanation of the Profit Sharing for 2010. He reported that the company came to the UAW in
November of 2010. They told the UAW that based on their calculations they did not owe the
memberships any profit sharing for the profits of 2010. Obviously, this did not go well with the
UAW. The company explained that with Ford Motor Credit's removal from the equation and the
stipulation that required 50% of North American profits are required to come from US Sales,
their figures said they did not owe the membership anything. North America made 5.4 billions
dollars in 2010. Between Mexico/Canada and other North American sales, special items and
interest, a total of 3.1 billion dollars was removed from the 5.4. Out of the 3.1 billion dollars
subtracted, the UAW has no control over some of these items. The biggest of this 3.1 was the
additional interest paid on the debt of the company. With the 2.3 billion dollars left, it would
require the company to pay out 120 million dollars to 40,559 members, which is approximately
$3,000 per member. This infuriated the UAW leadership! Thus, meetings began with the
company and the International UAW. Lead by President Bob King and VP Settles, they strongly
urged the company to: "does the right thing". The right thing being that the membership
absolutely deserved profit sharing and not just $3,000. Even though the contract states that Ford
Motor Credit is no longer calculated in the equation, it would be "right" to include it. If included,
this would make approximately a $2,000 difference. These negotiations took place for several
days and even past midnight on the day of announcement. Jimmy Settles fought to get the
additional money for the membership, which will be an average of $5,000. Jeff reported out
some interesting numbers to help explain the difference in our 1999 check of an average of
$8,000. In 1999, the company had 10.5 billion dollars more cash than it had debt. Ford Motor
Credit was still in the equation and Ford had more interest income than interest expenses. After
1999 the downward trend started. There were buyouts, the VEBA, and significant operating
losses. In 2009 and 2010, we began to move forward. Some differences between then and now
are: no more Ford Motor Credit, considerable debt, debt that the company has made strong
efforts to pay back at a more aggressive rate than planned.
UAW Departmental Reports
Ruth Golden –Education- Ruth reported out the following points:
Employee Tuition Assistance Plans (ETAP) (reinstated on 6/1/10)
• ETAP- Active employees ($5,000) college credit classes towards a degree
of which $200 can be used for book reimbursement
• Personal Development (PDA) for enhancing job specific training or
closing plants ($2,200 of the $5,000) for active only
• NVRAP- indefinite lay off (up to $8,400) depending on seniority
• RETAP- Retirees ($1,750) at the plant, local or region
Some other information concerning the reinstatement of the ETAP is Labor Study Classes for
active, retired, and laid-off employees at approved Universities. Employee Resource
Coordinators will work with the ETAP Team to provide information to employees on guidelines,
distribute flyers and website information as well as coordinated Education Fairs. Education Fairs
are happening with others planned at various sites. Ruth reminded the council of the websites for
applications, www.myuawford.com and www.uawford.com to print out forms.
Darwin Harris- Employee Special Services Program (ESSP)/ Diversity
ESSP- Darwin reported out ongoing training for the ESSP reps. Also, their department is
working with the ESSP reps on contract resolutions. The department has plans to reconstruct the
ESSP website as well.
Diversity- currently the team is updating the Diversity website. In coordination with the
launch of the new Equality and Diversity website training was held at the National Programs
Center in December of 2010. Approximately 92 hourly workers and 8 salaried workers attended
a three-day training conducted by Multi Training System called Diversity Facilitator Training.
The training consisted of:
• Trainer Roles & Responsibilities
• Diversity Website Overview
• Diversity Presentation Skills Overview
• C0-Facilitator Interviews
• Generations Activity
• Recap of previous days' training
• Team Activity
• Q & As
With this training, the UAW-Ford Equality and Diversity program now offers:
• (6) New Employee Orientation Training Modules
• New Appointee Orientation training modules
• (28) Targeted Training (simply point lessons) modules
• (5) Leadership Training (single point lessons) modules
Participants, upon return to their respective locations, were asked to:
• Report back to supervision/management what was learned and ask for
their support in making sure the proper tools and time to deliver the
training that was learned
• Get Diversity Team together and share what was learned at the training
• Facilitators top priorities to focus on are:
o Determine group needs to address and timing to do so
o Cascade targeted training materials throughout the local facility
including conduction appropriate Train-the-Trainer session with
Supervisor and/or Work Group Leaders and Superintendents/Area
Managers, or whatever groups as appropriate at each location
o Deliver/Facilitate the New Orientation Program, New Appointee
Program and/or Leadership Refresher Program as needed
Bob Rebecca- Benefits Rep. - Bob reported out first about the retirees and the $76.20 age 65
benefit that many of our retirees had not been receiving. This issue is fixed starting in March and
these retirees that have been denied this benefit will have a back pay check of $1400 coming in
May. If you know any retirees that have had issues or questions about this issue, please refer
them to John Klefot or Adam Abell at the Union Hall at 241-9491.
Any of our members that will
be adding any of their children back on their insurance with the change of eligibility age to 26
years old will receive a letter asking to show proof of age. A copy of their birth certificate will be
required for the records. Another issue that our retirees are experiencing is the inefficiency of
ACS. This company has caused many issues for the retirees and these issues are being
aggressively addressed by the International UAW.
Rick Popp- Director of Employee Benefits
Bob Rebecca asked that any concerns be emailed to Rick at: RPOPP@ford.com. It is
understood that there are several issues with ASC and Rick wants the concerns sent to him in
order to address these issues with Marty Mulloy.
Other issues are as follows:
• Ohio is experiencing a lot of issues with only having one HMO. They
originally had five
• Currently we have 129,000 Retirees and dependents under the VEBA
• The retiree's pension benefit was paid by Comerica Bank and now it is
paid by State Street Bank. Our retirees will see a change in the arrival of
their checks. Comerica would send the checks out the last week of the
month for the upcoming month. State Street sends out the checks the first
week of the month for that particular month. Basically they will see a
week's delay in receiving their check. This change was done without
letting the UAW know in order to warn the retirees
• Surviving spouses have had concerns in receiving their death benefit upon
the death of their retired spouse. Lump sum payments are being made to
the spouses experiencing this issue of approximately $700 until it is
caught up and corrected. This is another issue from ACS, Jimmy Settles as
additionally assigned Susan Suarez to help out on these concerns.
• A sad number to report is currently we are averaging approximately 500
retiree deaths per month.
Mike Geiger- Job Security Program
Mike reported that as of 2/6/11 we have 38,765 members. That number reflects 10,810
fewer than we had at the start of the last contract in 2007.
Currently we have 200 that are totally
out of TAP, with 100 of those employees without any type of job. Currently there is $317 million
left in the Short Work Week fund. We are losing approximately $100,000 per month due to the
Pre-Retirement Buy-out Benefit. These payments will be completely exhausted by June 1, 2011.
Also, we have $558 million currently in the SUB fund.
Finally, Mike reported that we have 330
Skilled Trades laid-off from their Trade and working in production. Additionally, there are 45
Skilled Trades out on ILO.
Lisa Barnett/Rocky Dilacove- Skilled Trades
Currently there are 30 apprentices in the system. All of the apprentices are due to turn out
by the end of the year. We have not put on any apprentices since the contract of 2007. Their has
been a lot of conversation about re-skilling the trades that are not working in their classification.
.Jimmy Settles- Vice President UAW/President of National Ford Department- Jimmy
started his report talking about the image of the UAW. Jimmy said, "We have allowed everyone
to define us…..but us." He talked about educating our membership to what the UAW is all about
and what we do and have done. He also feels it is so important that the public knows this as well.
No one gives back to the community like our membership. He also has let the company know
that the membership has helped save Ford and have NOT received the recognition that they
deserve. The membership has given up more that $6 an hour. This is a big sacrifice by the
membership. He also said that our membership comes to work everyday and builds a QUALITY
vehicle! Jimmy addressed the jackets that we will be getting this year. The UAW went to the
company and told them that they need to do something for the membership. The company came
back to the UAW and said they did NOT have the funds to do anything. The UAW decided that
Jackets could be bought with joint funds for the membership. At this point, the company decided
to contribute as well because it would not be fair for management not to recieve a jacket when
everyone else would. Unbelievable!
Jimmy addressed the EOS/Policy grievance; he told the
council that he knew that this has taken excessively long. He said that it is important to make
sure we do this correctly. He said that the company is nervous about this grievance going to the
arbitrator. He addressed the issue currently on going in Wisconsin concerning the workers rights
of collective bargaining possibly being taken away. This sad effort by the Wisconsin government
has caused the workers and many others to support worker's rights. We have many battles as
such, but we are taking on these battles fighting for our rights. It is the International UAW's goal
to educate and support such battles. We must become strong as we face such issues as the
government's effort to destroy the middle class. This concluded VP Settles report and closed out
the meeting of the National Ford Council.
Delegates
Scott Eskridge
Rocky Comito
Rodney Janes
Charlie Jones
