By: Alex Ortiz

The updated version of our website has been released and you should check it out. Please visit Local659.net to see how it looks. Take some time to browse the tabs and let us know if you see anything that is out of place or doesn’t link to the correct pages. Feel free to call the Union Hall and let me know. If I don’t answer, leave me a message.

Natasha Fuller, Local 659 Administrative Staff, put a lot of time and effort into the project and it shows!

The UAW Region 1D Leadership Conference was held the week before Easter weekend. Elected UAW leaders from across Michigan (UAW Region 1 and 1A excluded) met for updates and training from the Regional and International Staff.

It was pointed out more than once that the UAW is a diverse Union that is made up of more than auto workers. There are many industries that are represented by the UAW. Here is just a sampling: Secretary of State, Sparrow Hospital staff, city maintenance workers, several State universities’ staff members and even workers who make wicker furniture and water heaters.

There are many UAW-represented workers who provide a wide variety of services and products that we all should support. We are looking to add content to this paper to help you do just that!

A major topic of discussion at the conference was tariffs and their effect on the economy as well as the automotive industry, which directly affects everyone here at Local 659. The uncertainty of what is going on has already led to a postponement of product development at GM that caused layoffs at NAETC (Flint T&D).

There also may be a problem with sourcing parts in the near future that could halt production in GM assembly plants if alternative sources can’t be found. This would have a trickle-down effect on most of our membership.

Recently, UAW International President Shawn Fain has been criticized for his stance on tariffs and his supposed support for tariffs. President Fain explained his position on a live stream on Facebook and Youtube. The recording is still on those platforms and can be found at UAW.org as well. Please take time to listen to his response.

The UAW workers at Logistics Insight Corp/LIC who lost their health care benefits should have them restored soon. The union has been made aware of a large group of people who did not have benefits and probably don’t know that they don’t. Please check your status with your health care insurer to make sure you have coverage. If you don’t have coverage, let your Union representative know ASAP! A lot of people are discovering they don’t have coverage when they try to use their benefits.

The next Joint Council meeting will more than likely have a recommendation to cancel the summer meetings of June, July and August. If you have an opinion about that, you should be there for the discussion and vote.

Jack, Gary and Sherwood, I wish you guys a happy retirement and I hope to see you around at the Retiree meetings.

Remember to keep checking your in-plant Union Boards, our UAW Local 659 Facebook and our updated website for updated information, and attend your monthly Unit meetings!