By: Tony Redmond

Greetings Brothers and Sisters,

Happy New Year! The Shop Committee would like to welcome all members back from the holiday break. We hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable holiday season, spent quality time with family and friends, and had some well-deserved rest.

As we begin the new year, we look forward to continuing to stand together, support one another, and work toward new opportunities and shared goals.

Monday, January 19th, was Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a paid holiday under the UAW-GM National Agreement. We hope all members honored Dr. Kings legacy by reflecting on his commitment to equality, justice, and the dignity of working people – values that continue to guide our Union today.

Vacation request forms for 2026 must be submitted by February 28th. Please turn your form in to your supervisor and keep a copy for your records.

Unused 2025 vacation hours will be credited by the end of January 2026. Any deferred Christmas holiday hours will be available for use throughout the calendar year 2026.

Wednesday, February 11, 2026, marks the observance of the Flint Sit-Down Strike. We honor the brave Flint Sit-Downers whose courage and sacrifice secured the rights, wages, benefits, and working conditions UAW members enjoy today. Their stand helped build a strong middle class and laid the foundation for our great union. Members are encouraged to wear a white shirt in solidarity and rememberace.

Flu season is here, and the Shop Committee encourages all members to take steps to protect themselves and their coworkers. Please practice good hygiene, follow company policy if you are feeling ill, and seek medical care when necessary. Looking out for one another helps keep our workplace safe and healthy. Thank you for doing your part.

Stop cutting deals with management. Management continues to put people in unsafe situations. Know your job, and know all the administrative “fixes” that supposedly come with it. If management approaches you and you feel uncomfortable, call your Shop Committee immediately. Because if they don’t get the response they want, suddenly it becomes “threatening and intimidating behavior.” Funny how that works.

A Safety Incident Review should really be renamed Safety Interrogation Review. The only thing missing is a single chair in the middle of the room and a bare light bulb hanging from the ceiling. Maybe management should brush up on their H.T.T.P. skills (How To Treat People), because respect seems to be optional these days.

All of this might as well come with a Miranda Rights warning – anything you say or do can and will be used again you in Charlie Brown court.

Congratulations go out to Tacecia G. and Rochelle C. for completing the Skilled Trades Apprenticeship Readiness program.

The Shop Committee strongly encourages everyone to take advantage of the great deals available on General Motors vehicles and parts. For parts, visit gmparts.com. You can also stop by Brown and Son. Show your badge to receive a discount.

Remember: Buy American To Keep America Working!