Buy Union - Buy American www.uawlocal6000.org JUNE 2014

UAW Michigan’s BestUaW Local 6000

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Volume 29 - No. 6

VICE-PRESIDENT’SREPORT4

InsIde thIs Issue

Dept. untruths and deceits

FINANCIAL SECY’S REPORT6

3 PRESIDENT’SREPORT

Bargainers Seek Mediation

Want to End Secret WaitingLists? Staff the VA

See CONSTITUTION on page 4See CONVENTION on page 2

UNION ACTIVISTPASSES AwAY11

Region 1C & 1D Mergeto Become Region 1D

General Gordon Baker, afighter is remembered

VETERANS REPORT10

By Alan J. Kilar

Delegates to the Constitutional Convention elected a new leadership team for

the International UAW. Dennis Williams was elected as the 11th International President of the UAW. Williams recently served as the Secretary-Treasurer of the UAW and is the first president not from the auto industry. Williams comes out of the union’s agricultural implements department, which represents workers at companies such as John Deere and Caterpillar. Williams won 3,215 votes with 49 votes going to challenger Gary Walkowicz, UAW Local 600 bargaining committeeperson.

Region 6 Director Gary Casteel was elected Secretary Treasurer, Cindy Estrada and Jimmy Settles were re-elected as International Vice-Presidents. Joining them as a Vice-President will be Norwood Jewell, former Director of Region 1C. All were elected by acclamation.

New Leadership Team for UAW

UAW’s neW InternAtIonAl leAdershIp teAm (l-r): Secretary-Treasurer Gary Casteel, Vice-President Cindy Estrada, President Dennis Williams, Vice-President

Norwood Jewell and Vice-President Jimmy Settles. (Photo courtesy UAW)

In accepting the victory, Williams said, “I am excited for our union. I feel the energy, the power of our unity.” Williams said shortly after he was elected, “I am looking forward to taking on the challenges we have.”

regions 1C and 1D CombinedDelegates voted to consolidate Regions 1C and

1D, saving the Union millions in administrative expenses. With the merger, the UAW will now have nine regions – 1, 1A, 1D, 2B, 4, 5, 8, 9 and 9A. Local 6000 is one of the few unions that has members in several regions. As a result of the merger, Local 6000 will need to make numerous Local By-Law changes. President Ed Mitchell said that, “Our By-Laws Committee has been hard at work, so that some of the needed changes could be presented to the membership at the June Membership Council meeting.”

Constitutional Changes

By Alan J. KilarOver 1,100 UAW delegates from throughout the United States,

Canada and Puerto Rico assembled June 2nd-5th in Detroit for the Union’s 36th Constitutional Convention. Local 6000 was represented by 25 delegates who were elected to represent the membership.

The event, held at Cobo Hall, was highlighted by the election of members to the International Executive Board and a highly contro-

NEWSBREAK2

Continued from Front pAgeCONVENTION

versial dues increase vote. Delegates voted on numerous changes to the International UAW Constitution and received detailed reports on the activities of the UAW over the last four years.

A look around at the members gathered saw a changed UAW. At the first Convention, held in 1935, the UAW were autoworkers. Now the ranks include members in gaming, health care, education, law enforcement, government administration and operation, agricultural implement, aerospace and many other industries.

Outgoing President Bob King in his final address told the attendees that, “If we are really honest with ourselves, we’re in a war for the American middle class. We’re in a war I believe for democracy in America. I don’t think you have a democracy without a strong middle class,” King said. “By every measure of social justice, working families are losing. Their middle-class standard of living is being decimated.”

King encouraged the members to re-energizing their fellow union members by encouraging participating in marches and rallies. He added, “We cannot deliver the justice that our membership deserves or cannot rebuild the middle class in America or cannot protect democracy in America if we don’t rebuild the power of our own union, and then rebuild the power of the American labor movement.” King thanked all UAW members for their support during his tenure as President.

Freida Michilizzi from Region 1C noted that “You do not really understand the extent of the UAW until you attend an event like this. I have met members from all over the United States and from a variety of occupations. But we all have one thing in common, fighting to keep our workplace rights and our standard of living.”

Attendees also took time in a busy schedule to acknowledge the longstanding pro-labor career of Michigan Congressman John

local 6000 delegates from region 1C and 1D

UAW members protesting outside Crowne Plaza Hotel in Detroit.

Dingell (at left) who is retiring from Congress after serving for six decades, longer than any other member in the history of Congress.

Local 6000 had three members who served on Convention Committees. Ed Mitchell and Charlene

Yarbrough served on the Rules Committee while Miya Williamson served on the Constitution Committee.

During the 5-day event, attendees debated and voted upon numerous resolutions which will guide the UAW over the coming years. Resolutions included; Collective Bargaining and Economic Justice, Promoting UAW Products and Services, Forming Lasting Labor and Community Alliances, Health and Safety in the Workplace and Trade Policy.

Delegates heard from a variety of speakers from pro-labor organizations during the Convention, all with messages about the status of rebuilding the middle class in the United States, the need to fight back against powerful anti-worker forces in corporate and

government sectors and how the UAW always has been, and continues to be, the nation’s primary voice for the rights of working men and women.

On the last day of the Convention, hundreds of UAW members joined UAW President Dennis Williams and newly elected officers and International Executive Board members for a march to support a living wage for UNITE HERE workers at the nearby Crowne Plaza Hotel. The protesters urged the Crowne Plaza Hotel to pay housekeepers and other hotel staff a living wage. “We are a united front to take on hotels and companies that are greedy,” President Williams told the cheering crowd.

local 6000 Delegates from region 1A

Delegates passed a resolution honoring a real friend of labor, rep. John Dingell. (photo UAW)

local 6000’s Financial Secretary-Treasurer Miya Williamson appears on the jumbo screen as she addresses the convention during the Constitutional Committee report.

Wada Whiters takes to the podium to nominate Gary Walkowiczfor president.

UAW local 6000 President Ed Mitchell addresses the

Convention.

NEWSBREAK 3

PRESIDENT’SREPORT

Edward Mitchell

Bargainers Seek Mediation

“

UAw

Edward Mitchell, PublisherAlan Kilar, Editor

akilar@uawlocal6000.org

LocaL 6000 EditoriaL PoLicyThe mission of this paper is to strengthen the democratic efficacy of the Local

Union members by providing timely, pertinent and accurate information about the decisions and activities of Local Union 6000, the relevant affairs of the State and Federal governments, and the national and International Union movement.

The paper is also the voice of the members. We welcome articles from members. While we welcome your contributions, we ask that they be constructive. All articles should contribute positively to the welfare of this Union and its members. We will accept a thoughtful discussion of all related issues in the letter column, and reserve the right to reply to those that seem to reflect a misunderstanding of the Union and its policies.

We ask that you keep your articles brief. We reserve the right to edit all articles. We look forward to hearing from you. The news and opinions expressed are not necessarily those of Local 6000 or the International UAW.

3350 North Grand River • Lansing, MI 48901Toll Free: 1-800-243-1985 • Hot Line: 1-800-321-0829

Website: www.uawlocal6000.org

Secondary Bargaining con-tinues, with several Departments and Secondary Bargaining Teams certifying impasse and seeking mediation. The plan is to still send out voluntary agreements for ratification. However, those agreements that go to impasse will not be sent out for ratification.

There is still nothing new from the Michigan Supreme Court concerning the State’s 4% pension contribution appeal and the Union’s Right-to-Work appeal. Please check the Local’s website for updates.

The 36th International Constitutional Convention was held in Detroit. Several constitutional changes were debated and voted on, including; the proposed dues increase, the merging of Region 1-C and Region 1-D, and the election of new International Officers. Following the convention, the Local will be required to make several changes in our bylaws and structure because of the merger of Regions 1-C and 1-D. The highlights of the convention will be on the Local’s website.

Steward training was held April 27th through May 2nd, at the UAW Walter and May Reuther Family Education Center in Black Lake.

The training was attended by over 250 Chief and Job stewards. The steward evaluations were

overwhelmingly positive. Makeup training will be held sometime in September for those newly appointed stewards and those stewards who were unable to attend the Black Lake training.

I would like to thank the Local 6000 Officers, Staff and Executive Board Members who made the training so successful.

Health and Safety training is scheduled for June 19th and 20, 2014. The training will be held at Local 6000 in Lansing.

Following the convention, the Local will be reinstituting

the “Can We Talk” program. If you are interested in participating in the program or if would just like more information concerning the program, contact your Worksite steward, your Local Rep or Eric Sales at Local 6000.

I would like to remind everyone that as we go into this year’s election season, you have an opportunity to elect your boss (the governor). How many workers have an opportunity to choose their boss? Please review all material concerning the candidates and vote for the candidate(s) who you feel will make life better for you and your family.

I would like to remind everyone that as we go into this year’s election season, you have an opportunity to elect your boss (the governor).

Health and Safety representative

Nichole Jones is available at the local for assistance with health

and safety issues.toll Free 800 line —

Ted Gregg will answer questions and refer

members to the proper person for assistance on Mon-Fri, from 8 to 5, at

1-800-243-1985.

eAp representative —For help with substance

abuse, marital, emotional and personal problems,

Mike McWhirter is available at the local.

Benefits representative Anthony McNeill is

available at the localto help you with

benefits questions.

Local 6000 Services To Members

By gwen turner, election CommitteeHello membership. We, the Election Committee,

would like to thank all the candidates and extend our congratulations to all the winners of this election.

Elected Local 6000 36th Constitutional Convention Delegates and Alternatives are:

region 1C – David corburn, Diane Doubrava, Maria enriquez, carol erickson, otis florence-Butler, Mike McWhirter, ed Mitchell, owen Monday, freida Michilizziregion 1d – Steve Schmitt, carolyn Kowalik, William VanDriessche,

Steve Ballard, abbie Maddox, celia ontiveros, cynthia Sellers, Joanne Boyden, gordon ryskamp

region 1A – Stevetta Johnson, Norma abbot, Jim Walkowicz, Kelly Barnett, charlene Yarbrough, christine ellis, Wanda Withers, Miya Williamson, Sue Midura, anthony McNeill

The return of all the ballots for this election averaged about 10%, which I am told was good compared to the past elections. Per our chairperson, this was the first election with no appeals. If you have any questions, concerns and or ideas that would promote a higher voter turnout, please contact Chairperson Ted Gregg at 1-800-243-1985 or e-mail at tgregg@uawlocal6000.org.

Through the teamwork of your Election Committee, Ted Gregg (Chair) Retiree Darlene McCarroll (Vice Chair) DHS, Lorraine Scarbrough (Secretary), Retiree Valerie Carter (DHS), Priscilla Johnson (LARA), Gwen Turner (DHS/MRS), Retiree Wanda Bradley, Retiree Jane Davis, Retiree Susie Dydell and Retiree Elizabeth Tindall, we look forward to serving the largest UAW local membership with the utmost integrity, respect and accountability while upholding the Local’s bylaws and the constitution of the International UAW.

Con-Con electionDelegates elected

NEWSBREAK4

VIcE-PRESIDENT’SREPORT

Sue Midura

I have been working with the Department of State Human Resource’s Department for many years in the capacity of Union Representative. I don’t know what I was thinking though, because integrity, honesty, and sincerity are words not in the Department’s vocabulary and have been replaced with untruths, deceit, manipulations and disrespect from the Department’s representatives.

Historically, the Department hired two types of employees; those being Permanent Intermittent, and Full Time, and in the busy months would hire “summer temps” who would work no more than 90 days in the summer months when business picked up.

Now, low and behold, in the past 13 years we have people in Human Resources who get paid to sit and figure out how to

manipulate the employees and their working conditions.

The Department first started out with Short- Term workers who

replaced the 90-day summer temps, and while employing the Short-Term Worker they would manipulate contract language and work them instead of the permanent employees (better known as PI’s because they were paid less), and in some cases because the manager was

just plain mean or had something against a PI employee. So the Union negotiated language in the Secondary Contract to help protect PI employees.

It only took the Department about a year to come up with a way to manipulate that situation by reducing the number of PI employees in an office so they could hire and work the Short-Term Worker instead of the

permanent employees.Short-Term Workers could only

work 719 hours, which meant these employees (STW) would replace the summer temps.

The DOS came to the Union and requested that we come to an agreement so the Short-Term Workers could work more than the 719 hours and the agreement was reluctantly agreed to for 1040 hours. The convincing argument the state gave was if we would agree to more hours for the STWs then they would be able to let more permanent employees off on annual leave because at that time they were only approving one (1) employee at a time off. So believing them, we agreed only to find out they didn’t mean a word they said.

No nice way to say it, but the Union was lied to and so were the members. The department got their 1,040 hours and continued to deny annual leave for the permanent employees. So much for honesty.

Then the Department finally re-alized there was some merit in the Union’s position that more full time employees were needed and began posting full time positions. At that time, the PIs outnumbered full-time employees roughly 3 or 4 to 1.

Once that was completed, the Department still wasn’t satisfied and began creating “Staffing Imbalances” which up until that time may have occurred once or twice a year. All of a sudden, the Union was receiving up to 15 notices of staffing imbalances a month for almost a full year. A staffing imbalance takes place when the work/business goes down and the Branch cannot support the number of employees.

Except, with that game plan, the Department realized their error and began to create additional staffing imbalances in order to move the employee back to the branch they were removed from because of the fluctuation of work.

Dept. Reps Vocabulary: untruths, deceit, manipulations and disrespectThere is language in the contract

that applies to “relief assignments,” which the Department refused to use in place of the staffing imbalances. They would rather disrupt the employees’ lives and create hardships for them, and their families. Some had to pay a caregiver more money for longer hours because the imbalances were not in the office closest to the one

they were being taken out of.

I could go on and on with the chaos the Department created in the lives of the employees, but I won’t. I’m sure you each have your own horror story to tell.

In 2005, the Department of State started posting full-time positions as “FTV,” which means full-time variable, so they would be required to

work Saturdays. The Union was never consulted or we may have been able to work something out because in truth most of the PI’s had converted to full time and the Department needed Saturday coverage. But the Union was not given an opportunity to share their input, instead the Department created the FTV position.

If you check with Civil Service Rules, there is no such “Employment Type.” These Full-Time Variables have to work Saturdays, so to avoid overtime (Violation of Article 15) the managers cut their hours Monday through Friday by approximately 3.5/4 hours. When was the last time you heard of a “Full-Time” employee having to work 6 days to make 40 hours? Well, it has been taking place in DOS since 2005.

The offices cut back staffing Monday through Friday so our members can work for straight time on Saturday and Management doesn’t seem to care that the “wait” time Monday through Friday is longer for the citizens of Michigan, than it is on Saturday. Also, because the shift

Continued from Front pAgeCONSTITUTION

Cost Savings ApprovedDelegates also approved several measures that were aimed at

trimming cost associated with the administration of the International UAW. Delegates voted to eliminate one vice president position. Having three instead of four vice presidents will save the union money in salaries and other expenses.

Also approved was the elimination of the automatic mailing of Solidarity magazine following the July-August issue to save on printing costs. Beginning in July, members will have to submit a request via email or U.S. Mail to receive the print version of the magazine. The online version remains available on uaw.org as a flipbook.

Approved was a measure to drop the membership on the Public Review Board from five to four members.Dues Increase

After a hearty debate, a controversial dues increase was approved. The UAW spent the last several months promoting a “Pro-Worker” campaign to educate the membership about the need for the increase. The monies collected by the increase will go into the Strike Fund, which has been renamed International Union Strike and Defense Fund. In the past, members without a legal right to strike – such as Local 6000 – could not use the money in the strike fund. Now the fund will be available to these Locals for protection of the contract.

The new Constitutional language states; Article 16, Section 2(b) “For those members who work in the public sector and are legally prohibited from striking, the minimum monthly dues will be an amount equivalent to . . . 1.9 hours of straight time pay for members working full-time paid on an hourly basis...”

see VICe-presIdent on page 5

“...integrity, honesty, and sincerity are words not in the Department’s vocabulary and have been replaced with untruths, deceit, manipulationsand disrespect...”

NEWSBREAK 5

VICE-PrESIDENTContinued from Page 4

on Saturday (which is determined by management), is not necessarily 4 hours the members are gypped out of a “break” because as we all know you have to work four (4) hours to be eligible for a 15-minute break.

So now we have Full Time, Permanent Intermittent, Short Term Workers, and Full Time Variable employees, but wait...I’m not done. They have added another employment type which is a Lead Worker. The State’s Secondary Complex has had this employment type for years, which makes sense since they work under totally different circumstances than the branches. I for one was skeptical on how this would work in a branch office. In some of the offices there doesn’t seem to be a problem, but in others the Manager treats the Lead Worker as if he/she is an Assistant Manager, and unfortunately the Lead Worker thinks they are, too. But they are NOT. There was even one Manager in Macomb County who had the audacity to have the “Lead Worker” give input on a co-worker’s EDP.

Then someone in Human Resources comes up with another way to add more employees. They began hiring LTs. This is a Limited Term Employee that is hired for up to two (2) years, and works full time. Some of the PIs were selected for these positions so they would be full time for at least 2 years, but Short-Term Workers were hired also in some of those positions so some of our permanent employees were passed over for the LTE positions.

To the Union’s amazement, we found out by “accident” that the Department had started a “holding/hiring pool” of people who were previously employed by the State of Michigan as STWs and they were told they would get a job soon.

Region 1 went so far as to tell them they wouldn’t have to apply for another job because they were in the “pool” and would be rehired. This in some cases did not happen once the Union became aware of the violation by the Department when they created a “holding/hiring pool.”

In the 30+ years I have worked for the DOS, I have never worked with a “Student Assistant” and I hadn’t heard of one working in a Branch; although, there were a few “Interns” (not the same as student assistants) who worked in Human Resources, but “Student Assistants” were not part of the mix. The Department started hiring student assistants, which get paid $3.00 more an hour than the Short-Term Workers, and the Department does not require the SAs to work on Saturday. Some offices don’t even post the SAs on the bi-weekly schedule. In some offices the PIs are left sitting at home while they work the student assistant instead. There is no limit for the number of hours they can work or a set length of time.

I guess I don’t understand what type of an education/career one would be pursuing that working in DOS/BBOS issuing drivers licenses, titles, ID cards etc. could be beneficial.

All of these actions have a bearing on office morale, but the Department doesn’t seem to care much. I would like to know how

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VIEW THE Newsbreak on your iPhone or iPad

With a few simple steps, iPhone and iPad users can now download the latest edition of newsbreak directly to their device using the Stanza app.

open the Safari app, go to www.uawlocal6000.orgon the Local 6000 home page, click on the Newsbreak tab and select the issue you wish to view.once the selected issue is downloaded, tap the top of the screen so that “open in Stanza” appears.tap “open in Stanza” and you now have your selection loaded on to your device.

many of the “decision makers” in Lansing and elsewhere (Regions) work late nights (Wednesday) and on Saturdays. How many of these full-time department representatives have their hours cut Monday through Friday by 3.8 hours so they can work for straight time for 3.8 hours on Saturday; thereby not getting a break on the day that the schedule was cut because they aren’t working 8 hours, and aren’t getting a break on Saturday because they aren’t working 4 hours?

We constantly have grievances on these same issues and Human Resource complains of the number of them. The solution is very simple stop violating the contract and there won’t be anything to grieve.

I have always believed that the employees should be allowed to do an evaluation of the Managers. If Lansing really wanted to know what takes place in the branch, the secondary complex and Austin Building, there aren’t any better people to ask than the staff.

NEWSBREAK6

region 1 D members at Allegan County DHS talk about current labor issues. UAW local 6000 members, when we talk

with each other we have power.

LocaL 6000FINANCIAL SECRETARY

Miya Williamson

region 1C & 1D Merge to Become 1DDuring the 36th Constitutional

Convention, delegates voted to merge Michigan Regions 1C and 1D to become the newly formed Region 1D.

Region 1D is under the leadership of Regional Director Gerald Kariem. Director Kariem is no stranger to Local 6000 and its members. He has always welcomed our members to Region 1D, located in Grand Rapids, for monthly District Meetings.

Director Kariem and his staff participated in the Can We Talk Program by hosting training

sessions for Local 6000 members at the Grand Rapids Regional office.

Director Kariem hails from UAW Local 362.

The newly formed Region 1D will now be the largest Region for Local 6000, with approximately 11,000 members. The remainder of our membership is located within Region 1A, under the leadership of Regional Director

Rory L. Gamble.Local 6000, please join us in

welcoming Regional Director Gerald Kariem.

taking on current labor issues

Just a friendly reminder that the Health and Safety Training will take place in Lansing, Michigan, June 19th and 20th. All Health and Safety Reps who have been appointed by President Ed Mitchell the last of March and the beginning of April are encouraged to attend the training in Lansing. If you have questions about the training, please contact me at the Local. I’m looking forward to seeing you there.

UPDATE:HEALTH & SAFETYREPRESENATIVEUPDATE

By nicole Jones, h&s representative

local 6000 members and other state employees participating in the March of Dimes Walk-A-Thon in Detroit on April 27th. Again this year, Gwen Burns, now retired from the Hamtramck DHS office, organized a group from her old office.

NEWSBREAK 7

The DHS workers from Kalamazoo know that we must protect our contract and union. (l-r) Jennifer Boysen, Steve Atkinson, Peggy

Shobowale, Evelyn Conley, Vickie Wells and Jennifer Sabra.

When unions are strong and able to represent the people who want to join them, these gains spread throughout the economy. Workers who form unions are able to boost wages, which helps attract and retain staff. When non-union companies increase their wages, it gives all workers more purchasing power. Unionized workers also provide a counterbalance on unchecked CEO greed and promote greater income equality.

unions Bring economic gains

When union Density goes up,income inequality goes Down

It's very clear: UnIons WorK! Pretty much everyone benefits when workers have a strong voice and can actively participate in collective bargaining. Strong unions level the playing field and help create an economy that works for everyone. It's true. The data is overwhelming. When unions are strong, our nation's wealth is distributed more equally. And when union membership goes down, so does the middle class. Go to www.unionswork.us to see the facts.

PENSION ALERT!By Jim Bish and Chris ellis

Be aware and know that the time to ask questions is now! Jon M. Braeutigam, CIO, Deputy Treasurer, Bureau of Investments and Michigan Department of Treasury is set to address the State-wide Retirees Meeting on September 18, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. The meeting will be held at Local 6000.

Anyone in the "Defined Benefits" program (both Active workers and Retired) are urged to attend and ask questions. Please RSVP to Ted Gregg at the Local (1-800-243-1985).

Mr. Braeutigam will be addressing "Defined Benefits" pension plan funding issues, insurance and other questions we might have. Following the "Pension Alert" article printed in the May issue of the Newsbreak and a telephone conversation with Robert Sisler, Local 6000 Region 1-A Retiree Chair, he agreed to the September 18th meeting at our Local 6000.

Taking an action today may help line up a smart tomorrow.

Outsourcing ExposedThe UAW had its 36th Constitutional Convention – it was both exciting

and consequential. UAW Local 6000 sent delegates to participate in this historic event. While the convention was going on, plans to outsource state employee duties and responsibilities were being hatched at the Michigan Capitol.

Three departments could see their work outsourced. This means a loss of jobs for UAW Local 6000 members and bad outcomes for Michigan. This is not a done deal we MUST SPeAK oUT!The significant developments are as follows:

Eight million dollars over two years sent to the private sector for psychiatric work from the Department of Community Health (DCH). Medical professionals employed in state hospitals and centers need competitive (fair market) pay and a work environment that allows them to succeed – not the loss of their jobs. This work is vital to public safety and should not be outsourced to private contractors.

House Bill 4152 would put Commercial-Look Up Service provided by the Secretary of State (SOS) up for bid. This would mean an erosion of local bargaining work. The Commercial-Look Up Services performed by our members are both complex and sensitive.

Leaders in the Michigan Legislature state they plan to outsource ALL foster care in the next few budget cycles if stakeholders in the child welfare community can be convinced to sign off on the plan. The Department of Human Service (DHS) has given mixed messages on the fate of outsourcing foster care.

The duties and responsibilities performed by state employees are complex, sensitive and directly impact public safety in Michigan. The history of outsourcing government work is not good and if we allow our jobs to be outsourced, Michigan could have terrible outcomes.

When you contact your legislators, do NoT use work time or work equipment.

For DCH, contact State Representative Matt Lori (R), District 59, Constantine at 517-373-0832 or mattlori@house.mi.gov.

For SOS, contact State Representative Wayne Schmidt (R), District 104, Traverse City at 517-373-1766 or wayneschmidt@house.mi.gov and tell him to remove Sec. 208b. (2) which puts up for bid UAW jobs in SOS. (Rep. Schmidt is Chair of Transportation, but the SOS bill is in that committee).

For DHS, contact State Representative Peter MacGregor (R), District 73, Rockford at 517-373-0218 or petermacgregor@house.gov.

UPDATE:LegislativeUPDATEray holman, local 6000 legislative liaison

Protecting the Contract & union

NEWSBREAK8

SUbjeCt: Declining Funds in Defined benefit Retirement PlanDear Mr. Stoddard,

I am a state of Michigan Employee in the Defined Benefit Retirement Fund. It has come to my attention through my union, UAW Local 6000, that the retirement fund has been declining in recent years. In fact, the Defined Benefit Retirement fund has been declining at a shocking level, and allowed to decline without any improved changes made in the manner that funds are being handled for way too long!

In September of 2007, the Defined Benefit pension fund level was at 86.2%. By September 2012, the funding level had dropped to 60.3%! That equals a 25.9% decline in 5 years, or an average of 5.2% per year decline from September 2007 to September 2012! If this is allowed to continue our pension will be funded at only 34.3% by September 2017!

There should be no reason for the pension fund decline in this state when Michigan is, as the Governor and the Republicans constantly claim, in an economic turnaround, and tax cuts to businesses are constantly

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through the voluntary dues program, if you wish to donate $2.00 per month, please fill out the application below. retirees $2.00 Dues – by UaW convention action in June, 1986, the voluntary dues was established at $2.00 per month. fill out the application below. Dues must be submitted with application. they cannot be deducted from your pension check.

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(Make check payable to: LocaL 6000)

RETIREEs - sUppoRT yoUR UNIoN

LEttEr to tHE Ed itorDear Editor:

The PENSION Alert article by Chris Ellis and Jim Bish in the May issue of Newsbreak was excellent and very informative! As a result I wrote, as they suggested, to ORS questioning just what is going on with our retirement fund asking why it has been allowed to drop so low, and what is being done to increase the fund. I hope other members take time to write also. Here is a copy of my letter.

given. The auto industry, thanks to a government loan which is being repaid, is coming back which greatly increases state revenue as people buy new cars, and so many so-called “new jobs” are being created in this state, according to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Pure Michigan.

As a State of Michigan employee in the Defined Benefit Retirement Plan, I must tell you the continuous decline of funds in the plan is not acceptable. A plan of action should have been in place long before now to increase cash influx into the fund so as to prevent the fund from dropping to the level it is currently at. I, for one, want to know why the fund was allowed to drop this low, and what action is being taken to change the way funds are handled to correct this and improve the income of cash into the system? In light of the Governor’s constant claims of Michigan’s comeback with all these new jobs he’s brought into the state, this makes me feel that either someone is not doing their job, or the retirement fund is being allowed to drop to a level so low in order to serve as justification at some later date of a further need for retiree contributions to go into the retirement fund, again! I certainly hope it isn’t the latter, but to be honest with you, it is hard to trust the current Governor and the Republican Legislators who have constantly attacked and lowered my income, benefits, and retirement since being in office.

A perfect example of this is the mandatory 4% pay deduction for the Defined Benefit plan which, as I’m sure you are aware, is being challenged in court as unconstitutional by the coalition of state employee unions. A real kicker is the fact the Legislators, with their “terms” of service before passing this law, grandfathered all but one of themselves in the Defined Benefit Retirement Plan while state employees in the plan having 20, 25, 30+ years of service to this state, are nearing retirement and now forced to contribute 4%!

I would appreciate any information you can provide me with as to a plan of action in place now or in the future, and what it may entail, to increase funds in the Defined Benefit Retirement plan of which I am a member. For many current state employees, this will mean the difference in either retirement, or to continue working in their current state job. In addition, when funds are allowed to drop this low without intervention, the anxiety and fear this can cause current retirees can be extremely stressful, worrying that they will one day discover their retirement benefits will be cut and they cannot support themselves any longer.

Sincerely, Susan A. Laurin

Mr. Phil Stoddard, DirectorOffice of Retirement Services

By susan A. laurin

NEWSBREAK 9

DETROIT – Workers at Kace Logistics won union recognition recently after narrowly avoiding a strike over unfair labor practice charges (ULPs) filed with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) by the UAW. Among other charges, the ULPs included firing workers for their support of the union. Kace Logistics quickly came to the table to settle the dispute before a 6:00 a.m. strike deadline, agreeing to recognize the UAW and return five terminated employees to their jobs.

Kace workers began organizing in August when they called the UAW to help with issues they face in the plant. In short order, the Kace workers gained a supermajority of support from their co-workers.

"I'm thrilled that we will be able to sit across the table from Kace and work on finding productive solutions to problems we deal with at work," said Kace worker Cynthia Hunter, a quality analyst on the C shift. "I'm certain that by working together we will be able to improve job security for Kace workers and help in creating better jobs for Detroiters."

About 160 Kace Logistics workers sequence automotive parts for the Chrysler Jefferson North Assembly Plant, located just around the corner from the Kace facility on Freud Street in Detroit.

The Illinois law cutting pensions for public employees is on hold, blocked by a court order as a result of suits brought by workers and their unions. Labor went to court because cutting public worker pensions is against the Illinois state constitution. The law was to have taken effect June 1st. The We Are One Illinois labor coalition cheered the judge’s order.

Illinois AFL-CIO President Michael Carri-gan says the ruling is an important first step in efforts to overturn an unconstitutional law and to protect retirement security for working people in Illinois.

13,000 university of California teaching assistants plan to strike during Finals Week

Thirteen thousand UC student-workers are planning a strike during finals week to protest the university’s intimidation of teaching assistant union members. Josh Brahinsky is a student-worker activist with UAW Local 2865.

Brahinsky noted, “This is a strike – like all strikes – that we’re hoping to avoid. We would like to solve these issues. And we would really like to sit down with the UC’s and come to a peaceful resolution.”

The statewide strike at the University of California was set to start June 7th. Brahinsky says ever since the student-worker union began taking on quality of education social issues, like class sizes and issues like equal access to education for undocumented students the intimidation against union members has increased.

Brahinsky added, “In the last month they’ve kind of gone... I guess gone hostile. Leading up to a previous action there was an administrator at UCSC who told a bunch of our students who were also workers working for him – he said to them if you strike you’re never going to work in this department again. Then when we had a strike, which was against intimidation, there were a bunch of workers on the picket line who were arrested. The UC’s brought in thirty riot police – police in riot gear from UC Berkeley and UC San Francisco. And they came and arrested a whole bunch of people who were peacefully picketing. And since then the folks who were arrested have also faced charges – student disciplinary charges.” (doug Cunningham-labor radio)

Michigan Building Trades agree to pay at least $3-5 million to Retiree Fund in Detroit Bankruptcy

Michigan’s Building and Construction Trade unions are contributing at least $3-5 million to a fund to help cover retiree benefits in the Detroit bankruptcy “Grand Bargain.” Republican Michigan House Speaker Jase Bolger demanded that unions fork over cash before the legislature approves the deal. The legislature must approve $195 million of an overall $816 million package for Detroit to help the city emerge from bankruptcy. The money is an effort to mitigate pension cuts for 32,000 Detroit public workers while preventing the sell-off of Detroit’s art museum collection. Some foundations and the Detroit Institute of the Arts are pledging the bulk of the $816 million over twenty years.

(doug Cunningham-labor radio)

UpdateWORKERS NEWS

"Our members throughout the region were ready to stand with the striking Kace workers," said UAW Region 1 Director Chuck Hall.

"We're pleased that Kace came to the table and agreed to recognize the UAW. I'm proud to welcome these courageous workers into the UAW."

"These are brave and dedicated workers in the heart of Detroit who stood up for themselves, their co-workers and created better jobs in the city," said UAW President Bob King. “These workers deserve to be treated with dignity and respect on the job and Kace has shown they are willing to do just that. We look forward to building a constructive relationship with Kace."

Kace Logistics workers win union recognition, avoid strike over unfair labor practices

Union Lawsuits Prompt Judge To Suspend Illinois Pension Cuts Law

NEWSBREAK10

Miller Cohen, P.L.C.Attorneys and Counselors at Law

Social Security Disability

Bruce A. Miller* Fellow of the College of Labor

and Employment Lawyers

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Compensation Hall of FameListed in the Best Lawyers in America

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Workers’ ComPensatIon emPloyment DIsCrImInatIon

Toll Free in Michigan: 1-800-221-6021 • Fax: (313) 964-4490

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*Selected by peers as a Michigan Super Lawyerin Law & Politics magazine.

local 6000 fighting for quality care for our Vets

By J. david Cox, sr. The public's outrage over

excessive wait times and rigged record keeping at Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals is more than justified. As a former VA nurse, I understand all too well that depriving veterans of timely access to care is a disservice to them and their sacrifice to this nation.

But cleaning house in the VA's executive ranks will only treat the symptom. The disease plaguing the VA health care system is the chronic understaffing of physicians and other front-line providers.

Until we fill thousands of vacant positions, open closed hospital beds and provide more dollars for building and maintaining medical facilities, we will never heal what ails the VA.

Physicians are dealing with excessive caseloads and insufficient support staff. Since 2009, 2 million veterans entered the VA health

care system for a net increase of 1.4 million new patients. Each physician should be responsible for no more than 1,200 patients at a given time, according to the VA's own guidelines, yet many VA doctors are treating upward of 2,000 patients each.

Simply put, there isn't enough time in the day for the available doctors to treat every veteran who is seeking care in a timely fashion.

Compounding matters is a performance system that sets unrealistic goals and incentivizes managers to increase the number of patients served, instead of improving the quality of care. Rather than face the understaffing issue head-on and risk poor ratings, many managers have taken the easy way out and have cooked the books to mask the wait times.

But blaming those managers for a performance system that was doomed from the start won't help

UPDATE:VETERANSREPORTCOMMITTEE

our veterans get the care they seek any faster.

Truth be told, there is nothing wrong with the VA that can't be healed by what is right with the VA: the front-line providers who care for our veterans every day.

No one is complaining about the quality of care our veterans receive. That's because the federal employees who look after our nation's heroes work hard each and every day to provide them with world-class service.

Unfortunately, those same employees have lived in fear of speaking out about the problems they witness due to an established history of retaliation, including loss of duties and unfounded disciplinary actions. Our members have paid a heavy price for voicing concerns, submitting letters to agency leaders, raising issues in labor-management meetings and testifying before Congress on wait-time issues and veterans' access to care. When they have sounded the alarm, our members have faced retaliation and intimidation time and time again.

Employees shouldn't feel afraid to speak up when they see managers more concerned with securing bonuses than providing patients with timely access to care for critical medical conditions. In fact, they should be encouraged to bring up these issues so they can be rectified before more veterans go without the treatment they so desperately need.

The wait-list and understaffing issues are one and the same. Until Congress gives the VA the resources to hire enough front-line clinicians to meet demand, our veterans will continue to face long

waits. And to be clear, sending veterans to expensive health care providers outside the VA system on a massive scale will not fix the underlying resource deficiencies plaguing our veterans medical centers.

According to the Independent Budget for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, developed each year by leading veterans groups, the Veterans Health Administration is facing a $2 billion funding shortfall for the upcoming fiscal year and another $500 million shortfall for fiscal 2016.

As the nation prepared to honor our fallen soldiers this past Memorial Day, there was no better time to strengthen our support for the health care system that treats those veterans who made it home.

It's time for the VA to get back to basics and focus on improving access to care for our nation's veterans. The agency must cut excess management layers and use those resources to boost front-line staffing of doctors, nurses and others directly involved in patient care. The growth of middle management positions within the agency has ballooned to unprecedented levels, from fewer than 300 in 1995 to more than 1,700 by a recent count, costing taxpayers $203 million annually.

The VA long has been held up as a model health care delivery system that all other hospitals should emulate. The care our veterans receive is second to none, but that only counts when our veterans actually are treated.

david Cox, Sr. is national president of AFGe, which represents more than 670,000 federal and washington, d.C. government employees nationwide.

Want to end secret Wait lists? staff the Va

NEWSBREAK 11

Long-time Union, Civil Rights and Community Activist passes AwayBy Jim Walkowicz, UAW local 6000 region 1A representative

On May 18th, long-time union, civil rights, and community activist General Gordon Baker passed away. General, as everyone called him, worked at Chrysler and then Ford. He was well known among autoworkers going back to the 1960s. At one point, he ran for political office, and was always active in social causes.

General had not been well for a few years but he was still attending protests and rallies, including some by Local 6000.

Although I was not around him in the 1960s and 1970s, I certainly heard about him long before I met him for the first time in 1991. He was always available when something needed to be done. He was always willing to stand up when there was a fight to be had to protect the rights of workers and the poor.

When Governor Engler came into office in 1991 threatening all sorts of cutbacks, General Baker was one of the people in the

forefront of the fight back. Whether it was the protests against Engler closing Lafayette Clinic in 1992, up to the more recent protests around the Emergency Financial Manager, Right to Work, or the governor cutting people off of welfare, you could always count on General Baker being there. In between, there was the Detroit newspaper strike in 1995 and fights by autoworkers to improve their conditions.

For more on his life, a good book to read is “Detroit: I Do Mind Dying: A Study in Urban Rebellion” by Dan Georgakas and Marvin Surkin. The book tells about the movement among Black autoworkers in Detroit in the 1960s fighting for a stronger voice, not only with the company but with

Questions or comments? Reach me at 313-999-9418 or walkowiczj@aol.com.

General Baker (second from left) at a protest at Cadillac Place in September 2011.He appears here with local 6000 members Miya Williamson, ray Holman,

and rachael Siemen.

the Union. General Baker helped found the Dodge Revolutionary Union Movement that challenged the status quo at that time. The many organizations he worked with and the things he did are too

numerous to cite here.A memorial service was held

for General Baker on May 24th at UAW Local 600 in Dearborn.

HOT DOGS,BrATWUrSTS,AND OTHEr MEATS Vienna BeefHormel Hot Dogs & BratsBall Park Hot Dogsoscar Meyer Hot DogsJohnsonville BratsBoar’s Head Deli Meats & Hot DogsHillshire FarmFarmland Hot DogsHofmann Hot Dogsfarmer John MeatsSara Lee Deli Meatstyson chickenchiappetti Beef Products, inc. CONDIMENTSfrench’sHeinzgulden’s MustardHidden Valleyopen PitVlasicSmuckersFrank’s Red Hotaunt Jemima

CHIPS, COOKIESAND SNACKS Lay’sDoritostostitosfritosSun chipsrufflesWise chipsBuglescheese Nipschips ahoy!oreosPlantersWheat thinsNabiscoSlim Jimritzentenmann’s cakesSara LeeBetty crocker cake Mixtootsie rollsHershey chocolate (Kit Kat, cadbury, carmello)

BEErBudweiser and Bud Light,Miller Lite, Miller genuine Draft and Miller High-Life,

Celebrate the 4th of July with union Made products

Leinenkugel’sMichelobMilwaukee’s BestStella artoisPabst Blue ribbonBuschHamm’sHoegaardenicehouseLabatt BlueLandsharkNatural Lightrolling rockShock top

NON-AlCOHOlICBEVErAGEScoke, Diet cokeSpritePepsi, Diet PepsiMinute MaidWelch’sHawaiian PunchMott’sV8Winechateau Ste. Michellecolumbia crestSaddle Mountain

farron ridgeScheid Vineyards inc.Ballettocharles Krugc.K. Mondavic.r. cellarsgallo of Sonomagallo estateturning Leaf

BArBEqUE EqUIPMENTWeber grillsigloo coolersSaran Wrap rubbermaid

AMErICAN FlAGS artflag, annin flagmakers

SUNSCrEEN coppertone, Bain de Soleil

GAMES Barrel of Monkeys, Battleship, candyland, chutes and Ladders, clue, connect four, game of Life, Memory, Monopoly, Pictionary, risk, Scrabble, Sorry, taboo, twister, Yahtzee

PlATES, CUPSAND BOWlSgo Solo

HATS athletic cap co., Hatco, Headwear creations, imperial Headwear, Korber Hats, Unionwear

submitted byUNION LABELCOMMITTEE

NEWSBREAK12

ExECUTIvE BOARDPresident

Edward Mitchell

Vice PresidentsSue Midura (AS)

R. Scott Brown (HS)

Recording Secretary Charlene Yarbrough

Financial Secretary/TreasurerMiya Williamson

TrusteesAbbie Maddox

Otis Florence ButlerRyan Johnson

Sergeant-at-ArmsDonnie Whitley

GuideCarol Erickson

Members-at-LargeDeborah Harris-Neal (1A AS)

Vanessa Mauldin (1A HS) Frieda Michilizzi (1C AS)

David Coburn (1C HS) Carolyn Kowalik (1D AS)Bill VanDriessche (1D HS)

Retired Membervacant

LOCAL REPS1-A

Jim Walkowicz Rick MichaelKelly Barnett

Constance Sanders

1-CSharon McMullenRick HankinsonDiane Doubrava

1-D-North Steve SchmittSteve Ballard

1-D-SouthGordon RyskampCelia Ontiveros

Stewards-at-LargeJefferson Jones

Jeff CathcartAbbie MaddoxMike Sullivan

Benefits RepresentativeAnthony McNeill

Health & Safety RepresentativeNicole Jones

EAP RepresentativeMike McWhirter

800 LineTed Gregg

LocaL 6000 District Meetings

Latest meeting updates can be found at; uawlocal6000.org or by calling the Local 6000

Hotline at 1-800-321-0829

PLEASE NOTE: Newsbreak is mailed third class on or before the 10th of each month. due to cutbacks in the USPS, many members receive their copy of Newsbreak late in the month. To keep members updated, district Meetings are printed for the current month and for the upcoming month.

DISTrICT/CHAIr MONTH/DAy/lOCATION COUNTIES

1A1 – Peggy Haywood

1A2 – Wayman Neal

1C1 – Beth Lounds

1C2 – Mary Ann LaGow

1D1 – Terry Tincknell

1D2 – Kelly Hetrick, ChairTodd Robertson, Vice-Chair

1D3 – Carolyn Kowalik

1D4 – Mary Vandenheuvel, Vice-Chair

1D5 – Cindi Sellers, Chair Maggie Swarthout, Vice-Chair

1D6 – Dale Alexander

1D7 – Jefferson Jones

Huron, Lapeer, Sanilac, St. Clair,Tuscola

Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, Washtenaw, Wayne

Clinton, Eaton, Genesee, Ingham, Livingston, Shiawassee

Branch, Calhoun, Hillsdale, Jackson,Lenawee

Baraga, Dickinson, Gogebic, Houghton,Iron, Keweenaw, Marquette, Ontonagon

Alger, Chippewa, Delta, Luce,Mackinac, Menominee, Schoolcraft

Alcona, Alpena, Cheboygan, Crawford, Iosco, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Oscoda, Otsego, Presque Isle, Roscommon

Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Emmet,Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Lake,Leelanau, Manistee, Mason,Missaukee, Osceola, Wexford

Arenac, Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot,Isabella, Midland, Saginaw

Ionia, Kent, Mecosta, Montcalm,Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Ottawa

Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Cass,Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, VanBuren

NO JUNE MEETINGMonday, July 14, 2014 • 5:30 p.m.Brentwood Restaurant, 178 Park Dr., Caro, MI 48723

Tuesday, June 10, 2014 • 6:00 p.m.UAW Region 1A, 9650 S. Telegraph Rd., Taylor, MI 48180Tuesday, July 8, 2014 • 6:00 p.m.UAW Region 1A, 9650 S. Telegraph Rd., Taylor, MI 48180

Monday, June 9, 2014Ryan’s Roadhouse, 902 State Street, St. Johns, MI 48879Monday, July 14, 2014 • 6:30 p.m.Log Jam Restaurant, 110 W. Jefferson, Grand Ledge, MI 48837

NO MEETING JUly Or AUGUST

Thursday, June 5, 2014 • 6:00 pm (eastern)Lakeside Restaurant, Best Western900 U.S. 41, Baraga, MI 49908Thursday, July 17, 2014 • 6:00 p.m. (Central)Famer’s Restaurant, Pine Mtn. ResortN3332 Pine Mtn. Rd, Iron Mountain 49801

Thursday, June 19, 2014 • 6:00 p.m. (eastern)Wheaty’s Pub, 204 S. Cedar, Manistique, MI 49854Tuesday, July 22, 2014 • 6:00 p.m. (eastern)Pacino’s Best Western2635 Ludington St., Escanaba, MI 49829

Wednesday, June 11, 2014 • 6:30 p.m.BJ’s Restaurant, 990 N. Center, Gaylord, MI 49735Wednesday, July 2, 2014 • 6:30 p.m.Barnacle Bill’s Restaurant119 Newman Street, East Tawas, MI 48730

Thursday, June 19, 2014 • 6:00 p.m.Lakeside Charlie’s, 301 S. Lake Mitchell, Cadillac, MI 49601Thursday, July 17, 2014 • 6:00 p.m.LaSeniorita, 1245 Garfield Ave., Traverse City, MI 49686

Tuesday, June 17, 2014 • 6:00 p.m.PI’s Restaurant, 1815 S. Saginaw Rd., Midland, MI 48640Tuesday, July 15, 2014 • 6:00 p.m.Harvey’s Grill & Bar, 4000 E. Wilder Rd., Bay City, MI 48706

Tuesday, June 17, 2014 • 6:00 p.m.Region 1-D, 3300 Leonard, N.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49525Tuesday, July 15, 2014 • 6:00 p.m.Region 1-D, 3300 Leonard, N.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49525

Thursday, June 19, 2014 • 6:30 p.m.Big T Restaurant, 155 Main Street, Lawton, MI 49065Thursday, July 17, 2014 • 6:30 p.m.Big T Restaurant, 155 Main Street, Lawton, MI 49065