By: Tom Edmonds

Greetings Brothers and Sisters,

First, I’d like to apologize for missing my article last month. The deadline came and went and I simply missed it. Not an excuse, just a fact. I mismanaged my time and slipped.

I have been made aware that this article is a single source of information for many members. I’d like to remind everyone that it isn’t and shouldn’t be your only source. Monthly meetings are always open to every member of the unit. We also love to see retirees stop by and attend. Union Meetings are a valuable format to have your voice heard (and let me know when I make mistakes). They take place every month on the second Saturday at 1:00 pm. Your Local 659 calendar has those dates marked in red.

Also, a notification case is located by the men’s locker room on the first floor with posted agenda and other pertinent UAW information, and I’m always available when in the plant (and even off hours within reason). Please feel free to grab me if you need to talk.

At the time of writing this article, we have offers out to 6 potential apprentices – 3 in die design and 3 in die making, with a start date of April 7th. We also will be welcoming a new hire machine repairman tentatively on March 16th. That can’t happen soon enough. Our maintenance folks are spread thin as can be, and I feel we need many more than one. The building doesn’t get any smaller and the equipment isn’t getting younger.

The machine shop is going full swing for the most part, trying to keep up and feed the bench. New trainees (machine shop) will be starting maybe March 16th. The 3rd floor (design and engineering) has substantial work in MPS, blank nesting, and recently, prog dies.

Utilization and liability for subcontracting is one of our bigger issues at the moment. We are far from “in agreement” with management on this. We are also having issues with management accountability (lack of) when it comes to processes and communication. We will keep working towards solutions for the issues the membership faces.

Until next month, Thank You and Solidarity.