Decker

Corecting my stance and realizing the IUAW may not be as truthful as I once gave them credit for.... After finishing reading the contract today and listening to the phone calls from retireed UAW Rep`s, I belevie I`ve found the truth about this agreement, I found things missing from the last master agreement. In addision I have become aware that we will be capped at 1850 hours for a profit sharing total, for a year, for all four years of the contract. And will all LTS`s really become entry level? The missing article from the present master agreement, is on page 25 on the present agreement "Right to Strike". Vote on an agreement that doesn`t have language and you don`t have the right. 1850 hours cap works out to about 35 hours a week that will be eligable for profit sharing. The plants llike mine that have forced overtime in place and agreed on by some of the Bargaining Unit will receive no profit sharing for the force overtime. With this cap a member wiil receive half of the 1850 in November and the other half in March. That is 925 hours of profit sharing each time. A Chairman in most plant has his 1850 cap before June first. In my plant most repairmen do to. (yes I`m a repirman) Nice gift to the company.... Will it take a full 20% in the system before one LTS becomes entry level? If so when or will we ever reach to 20% level? Who will keep tract? From plant to plant? With a clearer awareness, I will not be supporting this agreement. I still have full respect for the ture Union idea of respect, fairness and equality. The Union ideal is not in this agreement. Don`t give up hope, stand strong and allow our Union Rep`s to bring back some fruit from our labor, in a few weeks. Decker Chi Town Assembly

I`m very proud of what the Union stands for and truely thankful for what the past leaders have put in place through their negociations. And still belevie totally in the concept of negociations. So when I received the phone calls, I was really set back.... After listening to explainions of the forgotten text in the highlights and how some things were not as they are portrayed in the agreement. I thanked those that call. I will step back and rethink my support for this agreement. To put it in my word`s, Because of the hidden truths and forgotten langange that have been revealed about this agreement, I will be with drawing my support for this agreement, in its current state. Don`t give up, never stop and be hopeful our union will bring us just some of the fruits of our labor. Decker Chi Town Assembly

Wait.... one... minute.... my Cubs don't SUCK!!!! they are professional losers and dam it they are the best!!!! Leave my Cubs out of your really intelligent evaluation of my fellow CAP member.... one beer in left field at Wrigley and you would understand...

Not meaning to be on the defensive, just stating that I`m not looking for acceptance. As for being a "cheer leader" well, my day`s of being on the line have come and gone but I have never forgot where I started. As for previous thoughts, lets see... 1976 just under 90 day`s in when I went on strike. Worked in all 3 spray booths in big paint and all 3 spray booths in small parts for the next three and a halve years, didn`t have much time to have thoughts. 12 to 14 hours a day, as many days as I could take it. Then the reduction in force.... lots of thoughts. It didn`t take long to realize just how good I had it Paint. I listened to members complain that they would quit before going to Paint and how it was so hot and dirty over there. My thoughts, were just how the hell do I get back to my department... Thanks for not labeling me a shill. Important in the last month... well, no not really. Actually, I`ve had the privilege to serve on the local level. My luck I guess, I got elected during one of the worst down turns this country has seen since the depression. I had to help sometimes 12 to 14 hours a day, as many days as I could take it. I looked into the eyes of members that had real problems. I listened to them and called state and federal agencies to find help. I watched families come apart. I helped move parents into kids houses and helped kids move back home. As their Financial Secretary it was just part of my duties. And besides that's just me. My thoughts, were how the hell do we get back to the good times.... Now I`m getting old and the eyes just don't see color at all but, my perception of the contract is, members getting product to build, LTS`s getting 3 plus dollars in hourly hate increases, 6 thousand dollars or 5 thousand dollars to keep working the overtime we have. 2 family days, 8 hours then overtime, LTS`s building seniority, benefits for LTS dependents and profit sharing for all members. Yes, there will be closing of plants and I know very well how hard that is on the members and there families but, with added product and bringing product back from outside the country, this will add to the hope that these members will have a place to relocate and keep some security. Instead of having to start all over. My thoughts are with the members of Walton Hills.... As you can see I`m not asking for acceptance or trying to be credible. I was just stating my view of the world from CAP. Sometime the department you work in and the plant your at changes but, you have to make do and never give up, I got back to my department. There are members going back to KTP after spending time at CAP and we at CAP hope that some day we can help those members at Walton Hills. But, the key to our (CAP) hopes for helping other members is through negotiations. Decker Chi Town Assembly ps. no thoughts, on the helluva taste in your mouth.....

Dam your good, I`ve been stressing this point all day at CAP. Oh, yes I was around in the 70`s.... Decker Chi Town Assembly

Thanks, but no.

Is it the over 2000 posts? or is it that you`ve been doing this posting thing from 2006? My sincerity comes from being through the good times and the lay off`s, the one week on and two or three off, the TRA checks, the having and not having the PPH days and on and on..... Seeing friends lose families, because of being bounced from plant to plant. Watching members that realized, way to late that the By-Out, wasn`t the right thing to do. Or listening to members wonder when the bank is coming for the house, car or wants to know when the payment will be sent.... Yes, CAP has had an up and down history. Through it all we, the union, have made it because of the UAW with the cooperation of Ford. As for the lack of volunteers... most that come seem to become part of the family. Decker Chi Town Assembly

I wonder if this type of out look is from all that money Ford and the UAW keep pushing at KTP? I can only wonder why with all the overtime and ability to feel secure with the number one selling products at KTP, you can`t feel for the sisters and brother at the closing plants? Is this attitude, that KTP 1989 seems to have, in the majority at KTP? I believe there are some at DTP with this attitude, also. Ever have to pack up the family and move across country to keep a UAW job? Ever wake up wondering if your going to have work next week? Ever stand in line while someone states your form isn`t fill out right, now go to the end of the line? Must be really boring to hear the members stories about the "have not" plants.... Sounds like maybe KTP 1989 might think that he`s the center of the universe or something... Decker Chicago Assembly

I`m very proud of Jimmy and the whole bargaining team. But, its far from my first time. (being glad to be union) We, my union, have been through a lot of ups and downs through the last 35 years. I for one can say one thing many friends and family can not, every week for the last 35 years I have received some form of compensation from a UAW/Ford contract. Whether it was a good hourly rate or vacation time or personal business time or holiday pay the weekly compensation was there. Even when I was layed off, the unemployment check and S.U.B. check was good compensation. Some will say, "it should be more" or "we should get more" but, I have to stop and think of what others (friends and family) are getting paid or what they don`t get in benefits and how many times I hear people ask for a chance to work for Ford because of the UAW pay and benefits. This agreement will help our young sisters and brothers realize that as long as we, our union, work for and negotiate for all its members, they will realize that compensation every week. The strength in the members at the "have" facilities, fighting to help the facilities that are not as lucky as those working overtime and have products, has once again worked out for us, the UNION. Proud to see the membership benefit from the negotiations. I will be supporting this agreement with a yes vote. Decker Chi Town Assembly

I would like to add an update, well kinda an update.... It is rumored that the CAP Bargaining Unit has sat down with Management to start our Local agreement. Has a list of the memberships proposed changes to the local agreement, been agreed on or posted? Three minutes clean up time at the end of the day, reinstated? Full Environmental relief reinstated? No more early lunches? Postings of operations left open by members returning to LAP, so senior members can bid on these operations? These and anything else the membership lost, right? Or just vote no??? Here at CAP, we stand in the strongest position we have been in for many years. The products that were negotiated for three years ago or so, are doing really good. We are still at the top of the company`s cost to profit ratio. Oh, and something most haven`t brought up, efficiency rates, that (efficiency rates) here at CAP has been close too, if not one of the top facilities in the Ford system. This is the measurement of just how hard we as a workforce are working and just how much the company is receiving from every dollar spent on labor and overhead. (efficiency, one of the real reason facilities receive product, a little talked about secret) These two measurements (cost to profit ratio and efficiency rate) are by themselves unequaled when sitting down to the table. With this type of strength, I`m sure we at CAP will be getting everything back and some. (Sarcasm) But, really I believe we at CAP should use our strengths to come out in full support of two group`s of members. The first group that needs our full support are our LTS`s. On a local level why haven`t we negotiated a percentage of them to become entry level employee`s??? (like other facilities) We have the highest population of these members in the system. BIG savings in the companies PROFIT to COST RATIO..... Think of it this way, if there are 600 LTS`s that work at CAP, the company is really paying for less than 300 full seniority people. (50% less per hour and little or no benefits) Now, lets talk "efficiency rate".... have you seen how the members of management have these members stretched out? And how management always brings up the topic that, refers to being able to fire a LTS without any trouble.... "EFFICIENCY... PRODUCTIVITY!!!" once again a BIG savings for the company.... The other group that needs our full support are the men and women of our Trades. Now, I`ve heard all the bullshit, Production people ramble about the Trades and I`ve heard the bullshit the Trades people ramble about Production. One thing for sure is that it`s 90% BULLSHIT!!!! OK, now that we got that out the way, the men and women of Trades are one BIG part of the total efficiency rates. Really stop and think of the number of Trades members compared to all the equipment that they are responsible for. Not to mention how these same members come up with most the fixes for just about everything that comes their way. Once again the company is realizing BIG savings. As for the cost to profit ratio, have you ever seen a group of Trades members fixing or making parts to keep things going because management doesn`t have the money in the budget for a new or proper part?? Again BIG company savings ... With that said, IN MY OPINION.... I can only hope that our Bargaining Unit uses the strength that this membership at CAP, and I mean "ALL the MEMBERS" of the 551 have built up over the years and support us all. We can`t be efficient or cost effective without all the UNION MEMBERS. I guess what I`m trying to say is, If we keep hearing what some of our Rep`s have told President King and Vice President Settle`s to do and how they think we should get everything back, or JUST VOTE NO..... Well, the ball`s in your court now 551 Rep`s. The membership has given the Bargaining Unit a strong and capable workforce, this will help them in negotiating. Decker Chi Town Assembly

No offense taken, and yes Chicago has been a receiving plant for a long time. We have members from many different plants. We are even seeing the returning of 125 members to LAP right now. I think this is the first time for that situation. As for putting the money in my pocket well, I believe the work we are doing now was negotiated for back during our "have not" days. We had Rep`s that had to think about our futures, and theirs. These Rep`s worked at all the issues we were having in a business manner to secure the products we have and the overtime that we have at present. I do praise leadership skills, experience and hard work. That is my reason for wondering why we at a local level, have not keep the forward motion going by taking the opportunity to move on through negotiations? We have helped other members through out the Ford system, with our past leadership and through their negotiations we were able to do just that. I for one what welcome you to Chicago, UAW12.

You`d see it at the "have" plants.... Chicago and .....

I agree with you completely.

My point is, if we have all these Rep`s that state and know how to negotiate everything back and can second guess everything going on in the International negotiations why, then are our Local`s going so long on extensions to prior contracts? Why have not the Local concessions been brought back? My Local for one, is a Local that has went from a "have not" plant to a "have" plant. We lost a shift and didn`t know how or if we would be working with just one shift. At that point in time we had to look at just keeping the doors open. But, now we have moved into the "have" type plants like other`s (DTP, KTP) that are not only pulling two shift`s but well on our way to three shift`s. And mountain`s of overtime..... The issue I keep bringing up is, on a Local level at least, these Rep`s that have to say NO, are at the have plant`s. They have all the power they need to be calling the shots in their negotiations or to reopen their contracts. Locally... Look at the reasons they have this power, that is needed to get everything back. At Chicago, hugh increase in sales on one product over last year (Explorer) and the total lock up on another product (Police units), not to mention Chicago builds the only full size Lincoln. Then there is the reasons two other plants are "have' plants and they are the Truck plants. Sales are power.... With that said, why are we at the "have" plants waiting or holding off on the Local negotiations? Really, come on, does anyone think Ford would want to stop the line at Chicago? Or at the truck plants? Really, after being told that our Saturday`s are mandatory and you will receive discipline if you don`t want to work a scheduled Saturday? Come on, how much more do you have to have in the way of sales and product to start thinking "NOW IS THE OUR TIME" .....?? Yes, we`ve been in the bottom of the bucket through the years. Hopes up so high, when the 500 was the thing that was going to save the company, that was going to save our jobs. The silly name changes on a SUV or Crossover or what ever they tried to make it into. Even further back when the company let the original Taurus turn into the cheapest rental car on the market. Those were the times that we had little or no power. So, what the hell are we waiting for??? Once again, I hear from some, at my Local, that the International should do this or that. And there are those that sound like A Rep in Michigan when running it down to others about all that we`ve lost. But, why are these same Rep`s not applying what they keep telling their memberships, what they think should be done? Why are they holding off applying all this knowledge and experience on a local level? I for one, believe that if my house is in order, then I`d be able to help my sisters and brother at the "have not" plant a little easier. If I was to receive some local concessions back or as some Rep`s keep saying "everything", I would not find it hard to give in to some demands to help all those members that don`t have it as good as the members at Chicago or DTP or KTP. WAIT A MINUTE, helping others, looking out for the members that need some reinsurance that we are there for them too.... Union, Solidarity, hmm, when have so many turned to a me,me,me....

I have heard it time after time (JUST VOTE NO) from those Local Rep`s that believe they know more, have more ability or just think the International negotiating teams can`t do their jobs. I`ve heard some members at my own Local (551) and some of our 551 Rep`s, state in their flyer`s or in the Local newspaper that they have told President King just what he has to do. Or else.... I`ve read about some Local Rep in Michigan that works for Ford but, just has to tell GM Local members what they should do and of course "JUST VOTE NO". I have listened when these Rep`s state their demands and how if we don`t get everything back and at least 3% a year in increases to our base rates, WE SHOULD JUST VOTE NO !!!!! After listening and reading about all these demands from all these different Locally elected Rep`s, then hearing how they would go about negotiating the contract and telling the International President just how to go about negotiating it, I can`t help but wonder.... Are we the membership of my and other Local`s going to get back everything that the Local`s have given up? I`m not sure about to many other Local`s but my Local`s contract expired 28 May 2011. We have been told that our contract will be negotiated after the International is done and then told that the Company and the Unit Chair have had some discussions. Then Sunday our Unit Chair stated that he was waiting for the H.R. Manager to return from bereavement leave, then talks would start. I know about not tipping your hand while in negotiations but, a firm "we started negotiations" would be a good sign. Wait, that's the way International doses it, OK so maybe they (International) are not doing things right? I don`t know..... I hope the Local membership remember that there were things we lost locally..... If we don`t get everything back at the Local level negotiations should we, JUST VOTE NO?? I remember three little minutes at the end of the day, less environmental re-leaf and other local issues, that were given up. Do you remember any at your Local? JUST VOTE NO.....??? Decker Chicago Assembly

Not only have the politics of our country, given us the "two groups" way of life in this Great country. But, it seems the "two groups" way of thinking is very much becoming apart of our Great Union. The "two groups" are the "have" and "have not`s". I can in no way try to imagine what kind of stressful work it takes to secure work for one group of members that have to live with the "no product" hanging over their heads. But, at the same time continue to negotiate something in the way of a reward for those members that have product and are working their asses off. I`ve heard those that are working their asses off go on and on about "NO MORE GIVE BACKS", "we deserve this and that", "our products are selling like hot cakes and we should just vote NO unless we get everything back".... Never once, looking beyond their four wall`s I for one feel the bitter sweet success of being at a plant that is going to be working overtime for some time. But, the overtime, is the main reason other UAW plants are not going to have product. We will produce, not one but two units that were at other UAW plants. We have gone from the possibility of closing the plant, to the loss of one shift and all the stress that comes along with that type of action. We have brought back a shift and at present ramping up for a third shift. All in a period of less than three years. I can`t help but think of the members that will be losing the products. Will they be able, through their Local Leadership, to secure something for their plants? Will the International Leadership be able to help work things out through negotiations for these members? Will their Local Leadership be able to work with the company and the International Rep`s in the way our Local Leadership did almost three years ago? I have been through more down turns then I want to admit too but, we the membership have always made it through. Lets not forget, the recovery is not over, at every plant. We still have big problems throughout the auto industry. If I, for one, can help in any way to get another member a steady pay check I will do it. For two years I listened to the problems that members were going through and helped by calling any and all the state and federal agencies to try and find any help these (my brothers and sisters) members could receive. But, through it all I never gave up. Because we had Local Leadership that fought among each other and fought both the International Rep`s and the Company. Three years ago these leaders always looked towards the future so as to secure the products we are building today. My point is, after all these years we can not become a Union that can stop helping the have not`s. As a Delegate I listened to Gary at an International Convention and have heard his way of thinking through the newspapers and lately I hear Gary through a few elected officers at my Local. One thing is missing from his suggestions on how the International Union should proceed in their negotiations, he and those followers seem to come up short on how to secure the have not`s, something. I can`t understand how any of us, can forget what it was like to be a "Have Not". Schondecker Chicago Assembly