Welcome to the UAW's Online Discussion

Welcome to the UAW's online discussion. Today's guest was UAW President Ron Gettelfinger. Below is the transcript of that discussion. Ron: Hello everyone! Thank you for joining us. Our International Executive Board is always looking for ways to better communicate, and we are hopeful that this disussion mechanism will serve all of us. This is very exciting and we have an hour -- so let's get started! flint,michigan: i am a resent retiree and woild like to knowthe condition of the gm pension fund and if it is full funded...and what would happen to my pension if worst case senareo acures and gm files for bankrupcy...thank yuo Ron: The GM pension fund is well funded and you have no cause for concern. Saginaw, MI: Do you think Delphi will default on or modify their pension plan? Ron: The benefit guarantees in our contract prevent them from defaulting. Anderson, Indiana: Why are you not supporting the UAW workers in Elkhart Indiana who have been on strike for over 6 months? I asked my local to take a gate collection for them and they said they have to get permission from the region!!!!!????? It's almost Christmas! What happened to supporting your Union brothers and sisters? What is this "permission" crap???!!! UAW Local 933 Ron: The UAW International is supporting Local 634 in Elkhart. Additionally, the regional director sent a communication on Nov. 15 to local unions asking for donations. If you want additional information, have your local leadership check with the region. Wrren, Michigan: President Gettelfinger Who do you think is the greatest labor leader of all time? Ron: Walter Reuther. flagler beach, fl: When is the new 2007 GM contract negotiated? Ron: The current contract expires on Sept. 14, 2007, and we will begin negotiations in July. Troy Mich: Are you going to fight to keep the job bank and laid off workers? Ron: Due to the length of your question, we have edited it down, so as to give others the opportunity for a response. Our union will approach the '07 negotiations and fight for our membership as we have in the past. There is no use in publicly discussing the strategies we will employ. liverpool,ny: do you think we will get a national health plan,now that the democrats,are going to trake control of both houses,i'm retired,anda care giver for my 88 year old mom,local1327 Ron: Our union has been fighting for a national health care program since the days of Walter Reuther. We are the only industrialized nation without a national health care program. We spend $2 trillion - or 16% - of the GDP on health care, and yet we leave nearly 47 million unisured and many more underinsured. The time for action is now. Write members of Congress, who you provide health care for, and encourage them to begin discussions on this issue. Spring Hill, TN.: Brother Ron, We have been told that last Thursday, the GM board did not approve the product we have been working so hard to earn. Since we are just four months from our current product build out schedule, do you see a future for the hard working men and women of local 1853 ? Ron: Yes. Stay the course. Product announcements are made by the corporation, and we will leave that to them. Louisville, Kentucky: Hello Mr. Gettelfinger, Alan Mulally, had a one on one interview with the Detroit News a few weeks ago where he seemed to have an extremely aggressive stance towards receiving significant concessions next September. His tone suggested that unless he gets everything that he wants for Ford to be a “viable” business model in the future, that he will be willing to weather a strike. This brings up a few questions. Ron: Again, edited for brevity. Mr. Mulally's focus should be on product and he should leave labor relations to that particular staff. There is no value in responding to public statements of this nature from corporate executives. Kokomo, IN: While our local Management here in Delphi, Kokomo has been praising us temporaries for the highest production numbers in the site's history, we still have NO contract , no paid holidays, no benefits. Now, with the holidays approaching, we are still waiting with absolutely NO information about progress on negotiations. How much longer is the UAW going to let this continue, while several people are now quiting Delphi for better paying jobs with benefits. It is obvious to us that Delphi has us where they want us. What is you response, as many of us are eagerly awaiting some tidbit of encouragement from YOU! Ron: Hang in there. The battle with Delphi is far from over. While the executives of Delphi, their attorneys and financial advisors are slopping at the trough in New York, in the final analysis our membership will have the last word. Eventually, this process will require them to meet with our union. I know this is very frustrating and has been since Miller and his cronies came on board July 1, 2005, with the sole intent of putting this company in bankruptcy. I hope you find some comfort in knowing that without a union these greedy executives could and would trample on workers with no concern. Our union is just as determined to ensure that workers like you are represented to the very best of our ability. And we are commited to do just that. Please write your congressman and U.S. senators and encourage them to support the Fairness and Accountability In Bankruptcy Reorganization Act. Anderson IN: Question: for Ron Gettelfinger I know you are very busy, so thank you for the chance to ask you questions directly. I retired from Delphi in July of 2005 with 29.8 years Delphi and 4.5 years DRA for a total 34.3 years. I did not have the option to check a box and retire with GM benefits as did the last group. My concern is that with Delphi’s continued stalling tactics we will be at the end of the current contract before they settle with the UAW, and we will no longer have any GM guarantee to fall back on. Now with all the talk of possible sale of part or all of Delphi, the possibility of loss of retirement pay and benefits is even more of a concern. What is the Union doing to protect Delphi retiree’s who did not get to opt for GM benefits? If Miller and the company get their way we will be left out in the cold. - UAW 662 member Ron: Please check with your local union benefit representative who can check with the UAW GM department if you have additional questions. Anderson Indiana: Why did you dissuade members at the Constitutional Convention to NOT give retirees a vote when the contract pertains to them? This resolution was brought by MANY locals and the way I see it, the delegates renigged on their promises to the membership. Ron: The UAW Constitution was changed in 1959 preventing retirees from voting at contract ratification meetings. I saw the language giving active workers the right to ratify as making perfectly good sense, and so did the overwhelming number of delegates at the convention. If you have an issue with a particular delegate from your local, you should take that up with them. Garden City, MI: I am so thankfull and greatfull to be a member of the UAW. I would like to know how UAW members such as myself, can get our voices heard, and message heard, in Washington DC ? Also, how can we help to make certain that the jobs that we have today, are here for our children tomorrow? Thanks so much. Have a Blessed day. GOD Bless. -UAW Local 235 Ron: Thanks. You, union members like yourself, other progressive groups and the electorate were heard loud and clear on Nov. 7. Now it's up to all of us to keep in touch with those we've elected to ensure that issues that affect working class - union and non-union alike - are kept in the forefront. Kokomo, IN: Can you please tell us ANY info you have on the supposedly continuous ongoing negotiations between Delphi, UAW, & GM? Ron: You can check our web site for the Delphi Update. Our union has been available to meet with the corporation at any time, day or night, but honestly, at this time there has been very little discussion. We will continue to keep the web site updated, and additionally, Vice President Rapson communicates directly with the Delphi local union leadership on a regular basis. Kokomo,IN: What is the status of negotiations concerning the new hires? Ron: I'm assuming you mean Delphi. Vice President Rapson and his staff are working on this issue now. Warren, MI: As a member of the DaimlerChrysler Board, will you be opening up a line of communication to DCX UAW employees regarding topics that are of importance to us that the board discusses? Ron: Vice President General Holiefield and I sit on the Labor Advisory Committee where we and the IG Metall unions discuss issues of importance prior to the Supervisory Board meeting. I represent those positions as a member of the Supervisory Board. General Holiefield will keep the UAW DCX Council delegates abreast of all issues of importance. Kokomo,IN: Does having 90 days in have any relevance to becoming a full time employee? Ron: Once again, Vice President Rapson and his staff are working on the issue of temporary employees. As soon as a resolution is reached, the local union leadership will be advised. Thanks for your patience during these difficult times. UAW Local 5287High Point NC: Good afternoon President Gettelfinger, This is the president of UAW local 5287, and my question is; now that Democrats control the House and the Senate are there any moves that will help to reverse some of the legislation that has been passed that hurt labor in this country. Ron: Please write your members of Congress and encourage them to support the Employee Free Choice Act. Additionally, we are pushing an increase in the minimum wage, fair trade legislation and health care among many other issues. Please ensure that you are signed up for our electronic activist network, UAWire, by going to our home page. In this manner, you will be abreast of current issues in Washington. Flint Mi local 598: WITH THE CONTRACT EXPIRATION FAST APPROACHING .DO YOU ANTICIPATE MORE ECONOMIC HARDSHIPS BEING PASSED ON TO CURRENT RETIRES, ACTIVE WORK FORCE ? HEALTH CARE, WAGE ADJUSTMENT TO NAME A FEW. Thank you Rigoberto Ron: Our Special Convention on Collective Bargaining will be held in March 2007 in Detroit, and at that time, we will define our bargaining objectives. Additionally, we will be meeting with the elected negotiators to get their positions on issues impacting all of our members, active and retired alike. Anderson. In.: Has there been any serious attempt at organizing any of the foriegn auto manufacturing companies that are opening plants all over the United States? Ron: We have ongoing organizing drives at all of the non-union foreign-plate operations, and we are pleased with the support that we're receiving. Additionally, our Organizing department is available to assist workers in joining our union. Non-union workers who have an interest in joining the UAW can go to the Organizing section of our web site for additional information. Your information will be kept confidential. Lafayette/IN: The UAW has been losing ground with the so- named "Big Three." What would you think of the International UAW shifting focus to bolstering smaller locals, so as to regain credibility among other unions, the media, and within the UAW itself? Ron: Thanks for your question. We have a Competitive Shop/Independents, Parts and Suppliers department that focuses on the smaller manufacturing locals. We also have a Technical, Office and Professional department that attends to the needs of our public sector and some private-sector professional employees. Lafayette, IN: Our Local has never had any real solidarity teaching. What can be done to address this issue? Ron: Our Education department staff is more than eager to assist your local. Please have your local president send a request to your regional director, who will follow through. Kokomo,IN: Will new hire employees be eligable to run for an elected union position? Ron: If you haven't already done so, have your local president send your question describing the issues to your regional director, who will forward it to my office for an interpretation. Lafayette Indiana: Our Local has requested a Family Auxillary charter, and has not recieved the paperwork for months now. As this is a standing committee recognized by the International UAW, why are we still waiting for our charter, and how do you feel Family Auxillaries can be best used as a part of a local? Ron: Please send a copy of the letter that you sent to your regional director to my office for follow-up. Detroit Mich: Question from Joe White of the Wall Street Journal: Is the UAW committed to preserving, in its current form, the JOBS bank program at the Big Three Detroit auto makers? Ron: Why would you think anything else? Flint: How do we convince our younger workers- especially those currently working a temps that joining a union benefits them? Ron: Without a union workers are employees "at will," and can be released at any time for no reason. Why wouldn't you want a contract with your employer? In our daily lives we have contracts on mortgages, car loans, home owners associations, and even our cell phones. A contract provides equity, justice and democracy in the workplace. Dade City, FL: Ron, I retired from the KY Truck Plant (K.T.P) UAW 862 in 1995. My question is: 'Do we have more cuts in insurance coverage to look forward to??' Also, when Ford 'Recovers' from this slump, can we expect things to get back to the way it was when we Retired?? Ron: The agreements we reached on health care last year with Ford and General Motors are good through Sept. 14, 2011. Massena, New York: President Gettelfinger, We in the manufacturing sector of our economy have felt the pinch(punch) of poor trade legislation for more than a generation now. Many communities and regions have been devasted by jobs being lost to unfair foreign competition. I presently work at a facility that may very well lose a product to a corporation outside the U.S. . Do you believe our new Congress will re-address our current trade policies and practices to take away unfair advantages our foreign competitors have. Thank you. In Solidarity Ray Thibault Vice President UAW Local 465 Ron: Our trade deficit in goods and services for 2005 is in the neighborhood of $725 billion, and our manufacturing jobs are at the lowest level since 1950. Our country doesn't have an industrial policy, while most of our trading partners do. Let's keep the pressure on our elected representatives to ensure that we have fair trade agreements that look out for the interests of America's working class. n/a: there is a lot of negative publicity regarding the uaw. what steps is the uaw going to take to overcome this image? when you look up uaw on the internet, most people do not like the uaw. as a union, how can we continue to stay strong with so many people looking at us this way? Ron: There are those who are out to destroy organized labor, which is the only instrument that gives working men and women any form of equity and justice in the workplace. These pro- company groups will go to any lengths to make unions look bad because their sole intent is to prevent workers from having a voice in the workplace. Members of our union are a slice of society and come from the communities in which we work and live. We care about our country and our communities. The generousity displayed by our membership to help those in need is overwhelming. Thank you and members like you who support our union and our communities. In the end, we will prevail. New York: Could the special VEBA for GM retirees run low on money, now that GM will have fewer active workers and more retirees? Ron: The VEBA was established in such a way so as to ensure that it would remain viable. It is monitored on an ongoing basis to ensure that it will remain solvent. Ron: We're getting excellent questions, and we're running out of time, however, I'll stay on line for a while longer than was previously scheduled. This is great! flint mich: wow this is a great idea and thank for the opurtunity.....i was wondering with all the recent retirees what is going to be strength of our unions....when only temperary workers are mning the shop floors? Ron: Thanks. We should not sell the temporary workers short. We are very much encouraged by the support we have received from temporary workers, as was evidenced at our Black Lake educational facility during the Younger Workers Conference we just completed. They are the future of our union, and we will be there for them. Any assistance you can give us with these younger workers would be appreciated. Alger, Ohio: Hi, Ron. What do you feel the status of Ford Motor Company is concerning retirees benefits and the down-sizing of the plants? Thank you. Ron: The restructuring announcements are unfortunate and we are continuing discussions with the company over these decisions through Vice President Bob King and his staff. The retiree benefits are in place through Sept. 14, 2011. ST. CLAIR SHORES, MI.: Dear Ron, I am a state employee, probation officer, and UAW steward with Local 6000 in Mt. Clemens, MI. I just want to thank you for all that you have done our behalf. Thank you! Ron: Thank you for your support. Vice President Jimmy Settles will be glad to hear from our TOP section and your kind comments. Warren Mi.: Ron; As an dues paying retiree. "What do you propose to do at allaying the fears of the retirees health care?" With many companies moving offshore, "What can we expect? Will we be casted aside?" Ron: We have hopes with the new Congress that we can begin discussions on a national health care program that covers every man, woman and child in America, because we believe that health care should be a right and not a privilege for those who can afford it. Please e-mail your elected representatives and express yourself. Dearborn, MI: Brother Gettelfinger, I want to thank you for opening up this channel of communication, and I hope it will be frequent and regular. -- Local 140 Ron: Thank you. That's our intent. kokomo,IN: What is the status of Getrag coming Kokomo? Also is there any hope the current plants there getting future work? Ron: Joint venture with DCX - thanks to Vice President General Holiefield. Rochester NY: Rick Wagner and Steve MIller have been quoted as saying there is continual progress between GM, Delphi and the Unions. Yet at the same time our UAW leadership keeps saying there have been very little meetings between the Uaw and the Delphi management team. How can we be having the progress that Wagner and Miller keep saying is happening, yet the UAW leadership says little discussion is taking place. How can this be? Ron: The discussions Mr. Wagoner is referencing are just that - discussions between Delphi and GM. Detroit, MI: Have you been briefed on the meeting between President Bush and the Big-3 Leaders? Your opinion of this meeting and any actions that will result from it. Thanks for the help. Ron: Yes. I think it's a disgrace that the president put off holding this meeting until November of this year. The auto industry is the greatest engine of economic activity in our nation. The Big 3 employ eight out of 10 American auto workers, and they purchase 80 percent of the parts that are manufactured in the U.S. and Canada. The domestic content of vehicles assembled by the Big 3 is 76 percent. The auto executives were not asking for a handout. They were striving for a level playing field, which our industry needs. Fortunately, I think they finally got their hearing, but only time will tell if it fell on deaf ears. Ron: Thank you very much for your participation. Your response has been overwhelming. We will be back this evening, at 5 p.m., and I hope you can join us then.