RETIREE REPORT
Winter 2008

First off let me begin by extending my thanks to our members for electing me Chairman of the Retiree Chapter. I look forward to continuing to serve this membership as together we move forward. I understand that I have big shoes to fill taking over for former Retiree Chairman Chuck McDonald. Chuck has served this membership well over the course of his tenure and I look forward to working with Chuck as we go forward.

Over the next couple of years there will have to be a lot of difficult decisions made as operations cease at the plant and the local will have to make changes in line with those. We are still looking at our options.

The Christmas Bonus will be paid out on December 15, 2007. This bonus is part if the GM contract. With GM covering Delphi retirees, the agreement guarantees a Delphi employee the same scope of benefits that a GM retiree has. Part of this benefit is an annual Christmas bonus. You had to be retired by November 01, 2007 to qualify this year.

In addition, the new contract includes a raise for retirees. This raise will begin in March of 2008 and will be paid retroactive back to October of 2007. While these were difficult contract talks, the UAW did there best to protect this membership. The climate in this country is definitely against the working class right now. Real wages are continually falling as the cost of living escalates. Energy costs are cutting into the living wage of America’s workers, as soaring health cost hit working class pocketbooks as well. The number of Americans with employee provided health care has dropped every year since 2000. Last year there were 13,000,000 people without health care who had employee covered health care in 2000. In the past six years the number of Americans with employee provided health care fell by 4.5%. Health care will be a central issue in next year’s elections and we must keep a close eye on the trend.

Our next retiree meeting is scheduled for January 14, 2008 with the February meeting being held on February 11, 2008.

On a personal note, I would like to thank everyone for their expressions of sympathy during the recent loss of my Mother and brother-in-law. This membership is made up of very special people and I thank you for your concern.

In closing, I would like to extend my wishes to this entire membership for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Let’s not forget the real reason for the season and the sacrifice that was made on our behalf.

Until next time,
Ray A. Gold
Local 2195 Retiree Chair