December 2019

Veterans day was this past November eleventh. It is a holiday in America, and a day in which we take great privilege to honor all of our military veterans. On Sunday November 17th at Local 602, we had our 4th annual Veterans Day Event to honor all our veterans past and present. The program was hosted by our veterans chair, Bernadine Ross and her committee. Bernadine is a 602 veteran who also proudly serves on the UAW Region 1-D color guard. The program was titled  "United We Stand… In Service & Holding the Line." We honor all servicemen and servicewomen, because whether during peacetime or war, “A veteran is someone who at one point in their life wrote a blank check made payable to the United States of America for an amount up to and including their life." They are an elite group of America’s finest who truly understand the meaning of the phrase, "freedom isn’t free!" All of them gave some and some gave all, so that every American can live free.
Since November eleventh was a Monday this year, it enabled all UAW members to enjoy a three day holiday weekend. We also had our four day Thanksgiving weekend, which reminded me of how thankful I am to be a member of a union. Many of us take these things for granted. We need to be reminded of how privileged we are to be a part of the 10.7% of the United States workforce that belongs to a union. According to Wikipedia, that's down from 20.1% in 1983. In the private sector, workers that belong to a union fell below 7%. That level hasn’t been seen since 1932. According to the Economic Policy Institute, Unions raise the wages of unionized workers by roughly 20% and raise compensation, including wages and benefits by about 28%. Paid holidays, health care insurance, training, higher wages and benefits aren’t given by employers out of the goodness of their hearts. These economic improvements have been hammered out through collective bargaining. It’s not a given though. Unions are under attack. In 2012 Michigan became a Right To Work state. Next, the civil service act of 2017 weakened the rights of state workers. In the past decade there has been a plethora of legislation targeting the rights of unions. All the while Mexican auto work volume has grown seven-fold. Corporations will always try to exploit labor, and the only strength we have is to remain unified in our fight for social and economic justice. Solidarity forever!

September 2019

Wow, Labor Day has passed and the summer of 2019 is in the books. There were many activities for members, retirees as well as the community to be involved in. Starting in June, Civil and Human Rights chairperson, Deasha Johnson with her committee put on a wonderful Diversity program. Some of my favorite quotes from the program were as follows:

“Let us not be blind to our differences. But let us also direct attention to our common interests and to the means by which those differences can be resolved. And if we cannot now end our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity. Our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children’s future and we are all mortal.”- John Fitzgerald Kennedy.

“We should all know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we understand that all threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their color.”- Maya Angelou.

Since coming to Local 602 in 2006, I now think of diversity as inclusiveness. I remember the first union meeting I came to. When I saw the E-board come out of their meeting, I wondered who were these people of all races and genders that are in these leadership roles. I learned that the UAW Constitution states that local unions shall have the following standing committees. Constitution and Bylaws (Gary Howard), Civil and Human Rights (Deasha Johnson), Union Label (Rick Reed), Education (Jason Peek), Conservation and Recreation (Paulina Rodriguez), Community Services (Demohn Stanley), Citizenship and Legislature (Julie Hartshorn), Veterans (Bernadine Ross), Retirees (Marta Bobillo) and Women’s committee (Bobbie Ledesma). These are the chairpersons of Local 602’s standing committees who have stepped up and taken these leadership roles. They have volunteered their time outside of their full-time jobs and have done the hard work of making Local 602 stand out not only for the membership, but for the good of the community. The International has set it up this way to be an example and promote the good of unionism. I have always been impressed with the spirit of volunteerism and the inclusiveness here at Local 602. Any member who wants to be involved can join any of our standing committees. That’s why we are diverse and that’s what makes us strong.

 “Inclusion is not a matter of political correctness. It is the key to growth.”- Jesse Jackson.

During the summer months our recreation committee always goes into high gear. In July, Paulina Rodriguez and her crew moved the annual 602 golf outing to Centennial Acres. August was the month of our yearly picnic and car show at Eagle Park.

Most recently, on less than a weeks’ notice, Brian Stead and the election committee put together a Strike Authorization Vote. Local 602 did its part to promote solidarity for the IUAW with a 98% approval rate. This does not necessarily mean we are going to strike, but it is a show of support from the rank and file. If GM does not bargain in good faith, we support the international bargaining team and give them this tool to show management that we mean business in these negotiations. We have a seasoned veteran in Daryl Smith, who chairs our Strike Committee, if a work stoppage is called for.

You can see it takes many active members to be involved in the make up of a strong local union. Here is an example of some, who along with their committee members, show that we are truly blessed at Local 602.

April 2019

“Plan A is suspended again!” "We just got it back and now we have another mechanical breakdown of more than four hours."  "How many units do we have to make up this time?" " I’m so sick of working ten hours."  "If we had enough skilled trades people we could do proper maintenance and not just band-aid everything as we put out fire after fire."  "Heck, on the days the temps aren’t here all of the team leaders are on the line, and we can’t even get an emergency bathroom break."  "Yeah, Joe is on sick leave again, and so-and-so used another FMLA day!"  "We’re always short on help, and it’s not even vacation season yet!"
Sound familiar? Every GM manufacturing employee has either said it or heard it. Manpower shortages plague all assembly plants and shop chairmen in North America. Ever since the bankruptcy it seems to be the normal mode of operation. The company has returned to profitability, but they’re running like there’s no tomorrow. After receiving bailouts, givebacks and tax breaks, they are abusing the use of temporary employees rather than being job creators. By shedding all their excess capacity, GM learned to build more with less, and they found it more efficient to run the remaining plants at full volume. When we had three good selling products, for the first time in our long history, we were putting cars out the door 24 hours a day. The three-shift operation meant even though demand was high enough to warrant the maximum number of Saturdays to be scheduled, each shift could work no more than 8 hours a day. When the Acadia went to Spring Hill we went down to two shifts, but we still have enough demand from the other two to require, at times, 20 hours a day and 2 out of 3 Saturdays.This was never meant to go on for a prolonged period, but it has. All plants have been taxing their workforce and are experiencing the same problems with sick leaves, FMLA, absenteeism and manpower shortages. Manpower is one of the key issues in upcoming contract negotiations. Along with health care, temporary employees and product allocation. Even though we’re tired of the overtime, this may be a good problem to have. The state of transportation is soon to see a transformation. Not only in the way we build cars but the types of cars we build.
Leaps in technology, computer capability and 3D printing have allowed new tasks to be automated. The highly regarded McKinsey report, which follows trends in industry, warns of massive job losses due to automation. It states that half of all jobs can be automated, and in 50 years they will be. 38% of all US jobs are at high risk of being automated in the next fifteen years. Here’s what new technology means to future jobs. For every ten manufacturing jobs we will have in the future, seven are not yet developed. Another way to look at this is that 65% of children currently in grade school will work in jobs that don't yet exist.
At the same time, we are experiencing a change in mobility, or the way people get around. Uber, Lyft, scooters, ride sharing and autonomous shuttles present challenges to car manufacturers. After only token efforts to produce electric vehicles in the past, GM has now made a commitment to bring 20 all electric cars to the market by 2023. Automakers globally will invest $300 billion in Electric and autonomous vehicles including $11 billion at Ford and $10.5 billion at FCA. The advantages of producing Electric Vehicles (EV’s) over traditional Internal combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles are obvious. ICE vehicles have; engines, transmissions exhaust and fuel systems that EV’s don’t. EV’s have less mechanical complexity and 80% fewer moving parts requiring less labor to manufacture. Other advantages to manufacturers include a 50% reduction in footprint, 50% reduction in capital investment and 30% reduction in hours per unit. 35,000 plus members are at risk as ICE vehicles are replaced by EV’s.
At Lansing Delta Township, we are fortunate to have products that are hot sellers with a good profit margin. We should never forget though, that only a couple of years ago Lordstown was a three-shift operation. It is imperative in upcoming contract talks that we bargain to secure strategic new products. We need to campaign to insource new work, as well as obtaining apprenticeships and job training in future technologies.

February 2019

“Yes, the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” This quote from the honorable Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was one that President Barack Obama used often. Both men emphasized that it wouldn’t be automatic or without struggle. Change doesn’t come from complacency or inaction. Activism and engagement are always necessary when there is an inequity involving humanity. This is why the Civil Rights movement and the Labor movement are so intertwined. The two journeys are about the struggles of people seeking equal rights, and workers demanding respect, dignity and the ability to earn an honest day’s pay for an honest day’s work.
The corporate democracy we live in today is rigged by and for the one percent at the top. Three people in the United States own as much as fifty percent of the rest of the country. We have CEO’s earning the combined salary of 375 of its average workers. It would be an insurmountable task for any individual to beat these odds. However, working collectively with a determination that the cause is just, the inequalities can be overcome. It won’t be easy. “The river doesn’t cut through the rock by force but by persistence.” Another quote from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is, “Be the change you want to see in the world.”
This February, 24th, 2019 will be our Black History Program at the UAW Local 602 Union Hall. This year’s theme is Honoring the Women of the Civil Rights Movement. It’s always an excellent FREE event and families are welcome.

December 2018

Before the “Sit Down” strike of 1937, when GM finally recognized the UAW, there were some noteworthy events that paved the way to unionization and collective bargaining. In 1935, the First Constitutional Convention of the United Automobile Worker was held the same day President Franklin Delano Roosevelt formed and appointed three members to the National Labor Relations Board. The National Labor Relations Act had been passed by Congress to further collective bargaining. The primary objective of that Act was to prohibit employers from interfering with the self-organization of their employees.
Meanwhile, back at the first Constitutional Convention, there was an address by Mr. Charlton Ogburn Attorney and Counselor at Law. He told the attendees that he felt there was no greater labor problem in the United States than the one in the automobile industry. He encouraged the assembly to choose their representatives wisely. He said this was because the selection of representatives for collective bargaining was the first step. The last step was the signing of a contract. He told of an example he used while making an argument before the National Labor Relations Board. He referred to the selection of representatives for collective bargaining as comparable, for instance, to the selection by two countries of representatives that fix a border dispute. For example, long ago there was such a dispute between the United States and Mexico as to what was the proper boundary. A conference was held and the United States went with a commission appointed to represent it. The commission was fixed in their mind where that boundary should be. On the other hand, Mexico was not sure. One party in Mexico wanted one boundary. Another party wanted something else. The contesting groups in Mexico each sent their own commission.  The disadvantage the Mexicans had was because the United Sates was unified and had their mind made up where the boundary should be.
Similarly, the automobile manufacturers went on record as saying they do not want the automobile industry organized. They had, however, created in the automobile industry, “company unions.” Therefore, there was a battle looming between the industry and the workers. Industry, it seems, fully realized what all commanders in warfare in the past have realized, as Napoleon well illustrated in his campaigns, that the way to defeat an enemy was to divide that enemy into various groups.
The workers will not succeed in collective bargaining until they can present a unified front and sit on the same side of the table, where-as the management will be on the other side of the table.
It is amazing how this message from 83 years ago is still relevant today.
I would like to wish everyone a joyous and safe Holiday. In Solidarity, God bless you all.

September 2018

The 2018 Gubernatorial election is approaching fast and Michigan is at a crossroad. The state has made broad economic gains since the Great Recession but still faces significant hurdles. We have terrible roads and a crumbling infrastructure, public schools that rank near the bottom in the country, environmental challenges ranging from continued water woes in Flint to Great Lakes threats and chemical contaminants in the ground. There are too few young people going to college and not enough workers to fill skilled jobs.

This election also offers the clearest choice between parties with the starkest ideological contrasts in recent memory. The Republican primary winner, Bill Schuette, has been the States Attorney General for the past eight years and has tied his Candidacy to the popularity of President Donald Trump. Opposing him will be a more moderate Democrat, Gretchen Whitmer, who has strong union and establishment support. Her experience includes being the state’s former Senate Minority Leader.

Schuette vows to shore up education and roads while at the same time calling for less government and lower taxes, typical rhetoric from an administration that in the last eight years succeeded in shifting the tax burden from corporations to individuals. In 2011 Corporate taxes made up 12.2 percent of the state’s general fund revenues. By 2017 that amount dropped to 6.4 percent or nearly half as much. In the meantime, Personal Income tax revenues which supply the state’s main checking account surged from 47 percent to 53 percent. The past Republican administrations idea of less government included appointing Emergency Managers to every major municipality in the state including Flint, where the health of children was put in jeopardy. 

Whitmer’s Democratic platform includes, increased funding for education, and infrastructure improvements. According to Whitmer, “putting thousands of Michiganders to work rebuilding our roads, updating our electrical and heating grids, ensuring that everyone has access to clean water, and high-speed internet are priorities.” She wants to raise the minimum wage, repeal the retirement tax, as well as Right to Work, and offer high school graduates two years of debt-free community college in skilled trades training or the equivalent aid for attending a four-year university. Whitmer states that “Many Michigan families are struggling to get by. We have an economy of Haves and Have-Nots.” This November there is only one candidate who has supported working families her entire career. My choice is Gretchen Whitmer!

May 2018

Just a few quick notes going into the summer season. First, I’d like to thank all of the candidates who raised their hands and ran for a chance to represent our local as a delegate at the 37^th Constitutional Convention next month. Congratulations to the elected delegates who were sworn in at the May Membership meeting.

Our 2018 United Way drive ended another successful year. Thanks to Demohn Stanley, Krystle Miller and the rest of the Community Services Committee for a job well done. Incentives donated by Local 602 included two 43” flat screen TV’s. Congratulations to Jacob Van Kirk and Jason Wyatt who were drawn to receive a prize.

After the June Membership meeting we will embark upon our usual suspension of the July and August meetings for our summer vacation period. I’d like to wish all our members a fun filled and safe summer. Don’t forget the Local 602 Annual Family Picnic at Eagle Park, Saturday August 25^th.

Lastly, have you tried our mobile app yet? Our Recording Secretary Doug Fox is always working to reach another layer of members and keep them engaged. In the future we’re going to try to provide Chairman’s reports as well as pertinent information.

In Solidarity

March 2018 - Recapping a Busy Year

It’s hard to believe how much time has passed since the election. It’s been a whirlwind inside the plant as well as outside. I’ll try to recap some of the many highlights. Most importantly we launched our re-designed new product. After a five- week shutdown, we came back to work in June with just two shifts. The entire plant was retooled to build the all-new C1Y version of the Chevy Traverse and Buick Enclave. The new build with completely new tooling provided many challenges and required the membership to work long hours. During a period that many of GM’s plants were also in changeover, we were awarded with the best launch in North America. Sales are strong and were running two shifts at twenty plus hours a day, six days a week. Hopefully, when the new product gets out there, demand will require us to bring the third shift back.
 Our annual Local 602 Picnic and Education fair was held at Eagle park in August. Many of our Standing Committees were involved under the leadership of Recreation Chair Paulina Rodriguez. There were games and horseback rides for the kids as well as bingo and a membership sign-up booth for the  Costco store for the adults. The food was great as well as the beautiful sunny day. This year’s Car Show was a hit also. Members were proud to display their American made classics as well as other forms of transportation. Rob Ball brought a Polaris Slingshot “huge hit with the kids” and there was even a Para-plane brought by Dave Lozo.
In November Local 602 proudly entered our inaugural float in the 34th annual “Silver Bells in the City parade.” Inspired by our Women’s Committee Chairperson Bobbie Ledesma the theme was “Rosie the Riveter.”  Over six thousand lights, a huge UAW wheel and a ten-foot airplane were perched on the float. There was also a stand proclaiming “WE CAN DO IT” that each of our one dozen Rosie’s took turns posing on.
The spirit of volunteerism is stronger than ever here at Local 602. Our standing committees actively engage the membership as well as the community. Newly elected Civil & Human Rights Chairperson Deasha Johnson hosted a hugely successful Hispanic Latino Celebration in September. In October the Fall Festival, put on by our new Community Services Chair Demohn Stanley was a packed house. Veterans Chair Bernadine Ross held a veterans program in November. In December, Education Chair Jason Peake organized an education day event for all elected officials and the entire committee body. Retirees Chairperson Marta Bobillo held Thanksgiving and Christmas parties along with everything else she does with her retirees committee. Citizenship & Legislation Chairperson Julie Hartshorn is always busy with political campaigns including the recently successful Mayoral race.  In February Richard Reed, Union Label Chair, and crew went up to Grayling from the 16th through the 18th for the Oldsmobile Outdoor Clubs “Winterfest.” We have a new phone app that our Recording Secretary has brought on board in his continuing effort to improve communication to the membership.
There was so much more and I regret, at the risk of being too lengthy, that I couldn’t mention everything. I think you get the picture! I’m so proud of my union and Local 602 and I can’t wait to see what the rest of 2018 brings.