Decker

Oh for the record no the old long hair wasn't`t arrested by CPD Tuesday. The old long hair was stopping the traffic on Torrence right in front of the plant, when the 611`s and 625`s were being moved from DT lots to get the needed repairs. Oh yea the Teamsters are shipping units from the DT lots by the same car carriers as always. Oh yea again, be safe out on Torrence and if the extremist /strike committee chair does show up try to make sure someone knows CPR....

Here CAP it is a mess, the strike committee chair (resident activist) seems not to have his act together. Which is becoming more apparent to more and more members. For years he runs to every picket line he hears of but never brought back any experience on how to schedule, set up or lead a strike. Imagine that, carry a picket sign and get in the news papers photo ops`s and give UAWD interviews ain't all that it takes to lead a strike....? Sometimes talking the talk just ain't walking the walk. Then this is just rumors, when our activist heard his hero (just barely president) did what our activist was begging for, put CAP on strike, the strike committee chair/picket line expert needed smelling salts. (just a rumor) I will say what Ford released to the press Monday evening is being received well here at CAP but.... will it be enough for the just barely president and our resident strike committee chair/extremist?

12 minutes land to take off 2 1/2 minutes of pep talk support explaining how he walked the picket line many times since 1973 but this is a first as president I'm sure everyone felt an even stronger feeling of support.....

Once again, experience has played a big part, Thank You Chuck Browning and the UAW/Ford negotiation team. Now bring it home Chuck.

Anyone hear about members being told at their pharmacy`s they are having issues processing the prescriptions through the insurance claim process? Members here at CAP are talking about that situation. It`s being said by our resident UAWD activist that members who are told they are on lay off will not receive SUB but president Fain is going to get the laid off members unemployment and strike benefit pay? Again, if this does happen then history will be made.

Shit is coming unglued.... "UAW President Shawn Fain released the following statement, following reports of planned layoffs of non-striking workers at GM and Ford:" "Let's be clear: if the Big Three decide to lay people off who aren't on strike, that's them trying to put the squeeze on our members to settle for less. With their record profits, they don't have to lay off a single employee. In fact, they could double every autoworker's pay, not raise car prices, and still rake in billions of dollars." "Their plan won't work. The UAW will make sure any worker laid off in the Big Three's latest attack will not go without an income. We'll organize one day longer than they can, and go the distance to win economic and social justice at the Big Three." Ummm the just barely president thought the company's were just going to make direct deposits to all but the Paint members that he sent out on some kind of walk out? He really thought Body, Trim, Chassis and MP&L would just report to their operations and sweep or sit next to their operations? for a regular check? What did "expired" mean to the just barley president? "Extended or Extension" of a contract would have left benefits in place, health/Medical, short work week and SUB. Then will the states of Ohio/Missouri list unemployment applications as lack of work or work stoppage? Work Stoppage will be another issue for the pres. He will make sure every laid off member will not go without an income? His income? Equal to unemployment & SUB? This is as he has said many times, will make history.

I`ve been paying for representation for longer than most members have been members. Longer than some members have been on earth. I`ve thought about the business applications of producing different commodities and yes producing automobiles over the years. I`ve always wondered why the representation we all pay for have yet to give the appearance or applied a simple business concept, that all other suppliers use. I have come to the conclusion I will never know why the IUAW is not ran in a business orientated manner to generate the best possible benefits to the dues paying members. But before I retire I`ll pass along my old view of a business concept that I`ve talked about many times. I think it would be interesting to show all manufacturers costs/benefits for labor, currently. Include Honda, Toyota, Hundai, BMW, Tesla and our UAW hourly/benefit rates. Side by side, charts are used for everything else in business. This would be a comparison of all labor work forces, not only unionized work forces. This pay and benefits comparison of all assembly/parts supplier industry would give not only the IUAW negotiation team data to back up their requests/demands but put into perspective the big three`s offerings. A possible side benefit from this comparison could be used in organizing other work forces. This comparison (for best results) could be done by an outside source to give transparency and provide the membership a clearer nonbias view of their compensation/benefits packages that is being offered by the company and/or presented by the IUAW to the membership. Then make the comparison public. We the UAW, are competing in the marketplace not as manufacturers but as suppliers. There are no suppliers of any commodity that’s willing to sell their product to Ford, that doesn’t know what the other suppliers are charging for their products or services to Ford. This, a business concept that has been in place forever in every industry, except selling labor. Doses the IUAW base their negotiations on even a close comparison to other suppliers of labor? Here`s to hoping for the best, no more sold out tiers, no more in-transition language and lord knows no more “it`s the best we could get”…. The best way to move forward is to never forget, past mistakes. Williams, Settles, Holifield, Jones, Etc.

Last nights Facebook chat was informative in as much as I found out more about our presidents background and family history. Then at one point things went in a direction of quoting the old testament. That`s all good as a background episode and reinforcing our president is one of us but, toward the end of the video our president spent time reading, I guess the Facebook responses. The president had to reiterate multiple times that we can`t consider striking all facilities at the same time. He and many Eboard and support Rep`s agreed that a "standup" strike would work the best for our commitments to the membership. It seemed that more than a few posts kept referring to the initial demands that the president was so forceful at proclaiming a few weeks back. Hope the 46% isn`t engraved in some of the memberships minds to a point of anything else is a no vote.

IUAW President Fain, has stated that the UAW and the Big 3 have made major progress but are still far apart. He reiterated that September 14 is a deadline. He will be rolling everything out tomorrow on his Facebook live broadcast. He's calling this a stand up strike in reference to the sit down strike. (the sit down strike was completely different) Between the Big 3, he intends on picking targeted plants that he will announce Thursday night at 10 pm on Facebook live. If your plant is not called that plant will be working under an expired contract. He will get more details out explaining what that means soon. Fain stated, he understands that not everyone has Facebook so they will get everything out to everyone as quickly as possible the best they can. How things change. From strike everybody to targeted strike. Change the name and stay the same. “Stand Up Strike”.

Back last week Tuesday or Wednesday He did a few interviews with AP, CNN and CNBC this was quoted from the AP & CNBC interviews. During an AP interview, "Fain admitted the possibility of avoiding a strike and recognized that the union might need to give up some of his requests to reach and agreement." Fain also stated "he would rather reach a new contract with the automakers than begin a strike of up to 146000 members" CNBC; "Wages aren`t the problem, our conditions aren`t the problem, it`s cooperate greed, Fain stated" The delivery and tone was much different in these interviews. No mention of the "membership demands" well, not straight forward. The spin was put in place with "the Union" (membership) might need to give up some. It`s almost like someone gave him a wake up call. No more VEBA, pensions for all, increase in pension benefits, no tiers, etc etc and 46% demands? now requests? But then again the president is wingin it....

It is definitely those that don`t understand, more to the point there is only one VP that`s ever sat across the table from the company to negotiate a contract. "This comes as no surprise that the wage demands have been lowered." just a point of clarity the just barely president has back peddled on the labeling of "membership demands" to "requests"

You are so right. The tuber talk may just come back to haunt the just barely president. Ford pays big money for some well thought out commercials, after airing this all over the millions of TV`s yesterday well millions were glued to every NFL play, I'm sure it was in response to the tuber`s radical/activist drama. Hell it was on every huge screen projection system in VEGA yesterday too. Ford: "All In On America" was a Ford Corporate Media Production

During these negotiations, there is a not widely used tool from the past, but possibly a tool being applied for Ford and other UAW negotiations. Lear is now putting together their third “tentative agreement” for the communication to their membership. Tentative agreements can be used to put the choice of yea or nea on the negotiations results in the hands of the membership.This can be a good or not so good. It puts the membership in line for making the decision on the subject matter of a contract but like in past contact negotiations will the membership vote on the tentative agreement “highlights” or be given time to dig into actual language? Only time will tell. In the mean time production continues through the tentative agreement clause in the master agreement. Ford sure has their nationwide PR blitz in place. Employing more hourly Americans then any other in the industry. I have to say great timing and subject content Ford. Then we have IUAW Facebook.

Negotiations, time will tell the story. It seems the activists are not happy with the latest discussions on the social media outlet, by the just barely president. The president is moving slightly away from all or nothing stance. Going from the strike strike strike to well... lets hear what is being offered. Reality, many times is the doorway to serious negotiations. Most cases the hyper activity is back peddled for a more business approach. During an AP interview, "Fain admitted the possibility of avoiding a strike and recognized that the union might need to give up some of his requests to reach and agreement." Fain also stated "he would rather reach a new contract with the automakers than begin a strike of up to 146000 members" CNBC; "Wages aren`t the problem, our conditions aren`t the problem, it`s cooperate greed" Another awakening, "wages aren`t the problem", 24 hours ago it was the main problem. Business makes for clearer views of the problems and there level of importance. I`m seeing a reduction, less hyper and more business like manner coming into view. "Members Demands" now "Requests" "Give up some to reach an agreement". What a difference a day makes.

Do we have a just barely IUAW president that is a seasoned Youtuber? Is he pushing hard? Some members see his performances then the name Reuther is being referred too. How many UAW members will be crossing the picket line? As a skeleton crew? As clean up crew members? Aren`t clean up employee`s UAW members? During the last strike the Teamsters, FedEx, UPS and Iron Workers didn`t cross the UAW line. Hmmm pushing hard on social media but compassion for the company. "you know decker we need a place to come back too"

I agree completely, fuzzy. In any negotiations there's the first paperwork then after each side reads through the others proposals there will be more paperwork. I also think Chuck will hold out and definitely use Fains prone towards the drama. I to think things are close, at least at Ford. Now with Stellantis it could be some level of personal level for the just barely president. Got my popcorn

Ok... the just barely IUAW president has thrown the Ford negotiations outline counter proposals in the trash can. Hope this drama works out for the membership. Files two unfair labor charges today, GM and Stellantis have stated they will see the UAW in court. Now it mat be time for some concern. Unless this drama has worked at that 1007 membership local the just barely president was a district committee person at?

Not being sure of how things will play out with this all new method of negotiating by the new IUAW leadership techniques but, the "VEBA" members demand (dissolve VEBA and return the Retirees health care to the companies) may just get some push back from another group and not just the company. Got my VEBA Trust financial report and it has some interesting info. "The plan expenses were $9,502,438.00. These expenses included $4,498,895.00 in administrative expenses, $5,003,543.00 paid in benefits to participants and beneficiaries and $0 in other expenses." This for one calendar year. The report also states the VEBA Joint Board of Trustees has decided to expand coverage for scholarship benefits and extending coverage to employees who share a work site with a Ford Motor Company (Ford) location and provide services or materials to Ford as "Participating Employees". I`m sure I`m missing the intent of these added employee groups and the benefits that are now covered but, has VEBA gone from underwriting current and future vested retirees health care costs to Ford employees that are not vested in the UAW/Ford retirement plan? Ford employees not vested in the UAW/Ford retirement plan will be covered for health care when these employees retire? VEBA will now be writing scholarship checks? This report identifies a group that may not just want to give up their VEBA administration duties or VEBA trustees positions. ( at $4.5 million a year salaries) This is looking more and more like the social security open the checkbook method of administration. Nothing in the financial report about any reduction in co-pays.

Our just barely IUAW president is now making comments that may just show a little more of his uncertainty when it comes to the business of negotiating with three corparitions at one time. He's making comments to IUAW Reps and possibly to his YouTube performance support crew how he needs three tentative agreements at the same time. Even if, let's say Ford and Browning`s crew put together a tentative agreement and the other two negotiating crews don't have one on 14 Sept. then it's going to be a strike at all 3 of the companies? Even if he gets "3" tentative agreements at the same time hope he has a back up plan other than everyone strikes if one group rejects their tentative agreement and the other two vote to agree on their contracts. Sounds umm tough but, just wondering if the the IUAW president might be a little over his head?

$45 - $50 or $60 an hour for Trim Stock to Car, Body Assembler or Block Sander Classifications? This could be getting into some really new territory. With these other contracts being inked the sky (no shit) is really the limit…. “Delta pilots have officially ratified a new contract, with 78% of pilots voting in favor of it. With this contract, we’ll see pilots at the Atlanta-based airline getting a huge pay bump. This new contract is worth $7.2 billion in value over the course of four years.” This new contract includes significant pay increases, both retroactively and going forward: • Pilots will immediately receive an 18% pay increase, as of the day the contract is signed • Pilots will then receive a 5% pay increase one year after that • Pilots will then receive two 4% pay increases in the two years that follow • Pilots will receive a one-time payment of 4% of 2020 and 2021 pay, plus a 14% payment of 2022 pay • In the event that American or United negotiate a contract with better pay, Delta will get that pay matched, plus 1% On top of that, pilots will get quality-of-life improvements, which will make up roughly one-quarter of the value of the overall agreement. This includes things like 10 weeks of paid maternity leave, two weeks of paid paternal leave, significantly improved crew meals, improved health insurance, and more. Interestingly this contract also includes a provision that “establishes medical freedom protections.” Get this …Pilots at major airlines often make six-figure salaries. Pay rates under American’s new contract range from about $108 an hour for a new hire to over $417 an hour for an experienced wide-body captain, and are due to rise to match rivals’ pay once United’s agreement is ratified. Hmm 2025 model year Ford Explorer MSRP = $156,999.00….? Lincoln MSRP $250,000.00 Flight from Midway non stop to Tampa/St. Pete --- $2700 But hell everything is relevant, Right?

I'm getting a lot of questions, but for a little clarity the 40% or plus wage increase will not most likely be an upfront or at the signing type of increase to every members hourly rage. This big 40% plus performance/promise is most likely some smoke and mirrors. It will most likely be spread out over the life of the contract. Lower paid members will see larger percentages of increases. While us legacy members will see a much smaller percentage of increases in our current hourly rates, if any. Over all lowest paid members might see the 40%. This will bring members over the life of the contract in line if not equal to legacy hourly rates. Again this is from an old retired bird and a soon to be retired old long hair. Both with Local, Regional and Con Con experience. Educated speculations. Don't let the performances overwhelm you, reality will judge the performance in this case. Look into our just barely IUAW presidents background, experience and labor law knowledge. Then realize we might have an IUAW president that was never a member of a local bargining committee? But, was a member of a Chrysler local with 1007 members. Possibly not even a servicing rep at his region? But, did do some time at the IUAW Chrysler division offices..... This may be a class act or not so much.

I`m not trying to put any negativity towards the current IUAW President and the all but one (Browning) IUAW E-Board members and won`t even come close to the shithouse talk. All I have are question on the intended bases for negotiations. Business is always going to direct it`s efforts towards making the bottom line (profits) look as and/or in a light that favors the business. A business contracting anything from supplies, materials or labor will go into some level of negotiations. We have lived through some really bullshit level negotiations for the last 3, 4 or five contracts which have been very much one sided. Along with a big bunch of our negotiators doing time at federal daycare centers. Correct me if I`m not aware of the small details or incorrect in my referencing the current round of buying and selling labor. Since the reran IUAW Presidential election there has been militancy in the air about most everything. I`ll state I`m all for fighting for "right". Tiers, wrong. Multi level insurance benefits, wrong. Retiree`s being overlooked, wrong. I think most members can agree on my little list of "wrong`s". Our current IUAW E-board sure can add to the list of wrong`s and have. There are business rules of engagement, on the plant floor and at a table of negotiation. One long standing rule is consideration to what either side will agree on to receive on what either side want`s, needs or demands. Buyer`s of labor will want and/or need something in return for what the seller want`s and/or needs to receive in the way of compensation/benefits for the labor sold. After multiple Youtube/Facebook performances, I missed any give or take messaging. I`m sure some members are aware of the "unpublished" lists of give and take agreements. Yes it`s not a good business practice to show the give and takes prior to negotiations or like in the not so good contract lowlights handouts in recent years. But, (yes always one) most members are seeing these YouTube/Book of Faces performances and are unaware or don`t want to except the fact that we as a membership are selling labor and that Ford motor company is buying. Have the last bunch of contracts screwed every last member? YES. Some just can`t see that these contracts have done just that. Seeing beyond that lousy 16 dollars an hour and shit for benefits is very hard for the majority of current members. I and a lot of higher seniority members do understand the majorities view point. The deception was played on the a large group of higher seniority members and with the help of the federal daycare center IUAW E-Board members this large group of high seniority members were unaware of the long term screwing going on. I can point to one specific fact LIB is directly tied to each members "hourly rate". Lump some`s and no increases, even those little 3%`ers are a business method with very little discussion till... the monthly retirement check drops. My point in this long ass rambling is this "we all got screwed". With that in mind these old eye`s see the division already in place, that was agreed on 3, 4 or 5 contracts, ago. If your not aware of the business technique just look around. Who is the majority of voting members in your plant or facility? Now put on the table an increase of 3, 4 or even 5 dollars and hour. Then put a 7, 8, ot 9 thousand dollar signing bonus on the table, who in the majority will even hear a complaint or lack of a contract benefit for any of the minority group members? The former district committee persons performances are fantastic, I wonder if there is enough business experience within the performer to bridge the division already in place. Has anyone else looked into the union background, experience and/or business knowledge with specific to negotiations, of the current IUAW E-Board? (other than Browning) Too often, in our current society people are put in positions of power/authority because of their connections and/or performances and it`s never taken into consideration their merit, abilities, knowledge or any past achievements. Sure hope the members list given in the performances, is the same list brought to the membership in the next contract highlights hand out. (that the buyer of the labor pays for)

The "members" demands are a long list. Swinging for the fence is ok, I guess. But giving VEBA back? How would that work? The company starts covering the insurance needs for all retiree`s? Again? IUAW was paid cash and shares of stock to administrate the retiree`s insurance. Shares were sold years ago. Cash has paid great salaries to administor`s.and co pays never decline, I'd think every retired UAW would be better off with company paid coverage same as active members receive. But.... Hope the tiers leave. Hope all are covered with the same insurance. Hope the hourly rates are equal pay for equal work. Hope COLA returns without giving up Profit Sharing. A raise in LIB is so over due (the last increase was 2007) and I hope it finally happens. I hope a LIB becomes a reality all UAW dues paying members.

Ford agrees to $9.2 billion US Government (Tax Payer/Employee) Loan Two Million EV`s by 2026.....?

Is it just CAP? Lay off four weeks straight not to mention all the weeks prior and I guess it's a sign of the times. Over 200 quite and 80+ awol`s or possible people who just didn't`t give any notice. First day back from the layoff, move all the extras and group leaders from one department to Final Assembly just to move the line. Then the second day back and Final gets all the extras and group leader from a different department. Get all the air from the first days loaning department. Then the second day air is generated in the second loaning department. All the rework already at a huge number with full shifts. Any guess where those numbers are headed? Seeing as Chuck is pretty much the odd man out with the new IUAW activists/progressives calling the shots, wonder if Ford will be target?