Greetings. I wish I could report that things are going well, but that simply isn’t the case. Over the past few months we have seen a steady stream of issues facing this membership. In the summer we received the announcement the Alabama Site would be wound down as opposed to being sold. This fall we have seen wage cuts to our traditional members and most recently layoffs beginning for those members hired last.

The Shop Committee has been fighting local management on a number of issues including the wage rates and contractors. Management thinks they can do what they want, but we still have a contract and they must realize they must go by it. I would like to think that things will get better, but I don’t see that happening anytime soon.

As rough as things are at the moment, they could be worse. All we have to do is look down the street to our brothers and sisters at Wolverine and see how much worse things could be. The people there discovered in November their plant would be closing the first week of January. In addition, little or no relief for those workers was included in that announcement. Workers at Wolverine who are under 55 will lose two thirds of their promised retirement benefits. The company also stated rather causally, they had no hourly severance plan as “many companies” do not. However, the executives who were replaced earlier this year for their incompetence received millions in compensation.

When the announcement came that the Alabama Site was closing, the local media tried to place the blame on the union. However, there is no union at Wolverine. As a matter of fact, 98% of the companies that close in this country have no union. One thing both companies have in common is a proven track record of poor management. While our situation is frustrating, the situation for the Wolverine workers is harder to swallow. The contrast of these two companies is a perfect example of the benefits of union representation. While the poor folks at Wolverine were at the mercy of the same monsters who created their situation, our members at least had someone to represent them and to push for a better end to their situation. Many of our members will be transferring to GM’s Spring Hill operation, some will have opportunities at other GM locations and those who have no transfer rights will receive a severance package that will assist their families while they find new employment. We are also working with state and federal officials to make certain our members are provided with funds to retrain them for other job opportunities. While our situation remains sad, it could be worse.

So how did this country that prides itself on opportunity, reach the situation we are in? Greed, corporate greed that is how. They take more while providing less. Real wages continue to shrink as the cost of living continues to go through the roof. Since 2000, the wealth of this country has been redistributed from the working class to the wealthy. Tax cuts have all but eliminated taxes for the wealthy while resulting in higher sales tax which is unfairly skewed toward the working class. This continual line of legislation that has benefited the wealthy has resulted in an economic situation that is virtually hopeless. Recently a report came out showing a 98% increase in home mortgage foreclosures in the past year. Working people are seeing their livelihood swept away more and more every day. Energy costs are rising every day, health care is spiraling through the ceiling, pensions are being dropped, and the way of life this country has come to know is being torn down.

Many of the problems that we are seeing are the result of our own consumer habits. We but these foreign goods without a thought of the impact this decision has on our own economy and jobs. For example, a local Toyota dealership ran an ad encouraging Delphi employees to come by and get a supplier discount on a new Toyota. Why on Earth would a Delphi employee buy a Toyota? While Toyota does create some jobs in the United States, their numbers in comparison to the Big Three show how much more Big Three vehicles add to this economy. For every 1,000 vehicles Toyota sells, there are 12 jobs created for American workers. On the other hand, for every 1,000 vehicles GM, Ford or Chrysler sells, there are 33 jobs created in the United States. The Big Three account for 232,000 parts manufacturing jobs in this country and 160,000 assembly jobs. It is a slap in the face to our workers for a Toyota dealer to run an ad encouraging us to buy a Toyota.

In closing, on behalf of the entire Shop Committee I would like to extend our wishes to you and your family for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. While we have important issues, let’s not let these prevent us from having a joyous holiday season with our loved ones and friends.
Greg Demike