Greetings Members and Retirees...As we watch this year come to an end I wish to thank everyone for their patience understanding and continued support of our local during this difficult year. While we faced many challenges I am proud of our membership for their solidarity in tough times and proud of how our local was a prevalent organization in the community this year with Strike A Cure the Bike Run for Autism another successful Food and Clothing drive and the Dearborn Relay for Life to name a few! I look forward to working with all of our committees and bargaining units in the new year to represent each of you the best way we can. I wish for each of you and your families a Very Safe and Happy New Year!

The Funeral arrangements for UAW Local 600 President Jerry Sullivan are as follows:

VIEWING MONDAY DECEMBER 28, 2009 1-8 PM @
KEEHN FUNERAL HOME
706 WEST MAIN
BRIGHTON, MI 48116

FUNERAL SERVICE TUESDAY DECEMBER 29, 2009 @
ST. JOSEPH PARISH CHURCH
6805 MAST ROAD
DEXTER, MI

TUESDAY VIEWING AT CHURCH BEGINS AT 10 AM
TUESDAY FUNERAL SERVICE AT CHURCH BEGINS AT 11 AM

Please keep the Sullivan family as well as our brothers and sisters at Local 600 in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you.

It is with deep regret and sorrow that I inform you of the passing of Jerry Sullivan, long-time President of UAW Local 600. Jerry died at approximately 3:30 pm on December 22nd. Jerry was a dynamic leader at Local 600 and served his memberships well and will be missed greatly in the Ford Department! Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers. Arrangements are incomplete at this time and will be posted when we receive the details.

Please Join us as we conduct our annual UAW-Ford Food and Clothing Drive. Please bring any non-perishable Food or donations of clothing to Local 245 or place your donations in drop boxes at EMDO, PDC and Facilities Services. We are running an abbreviated Food and Clothing Drive this year so the deadline to drop off donations will be Friday by 9am. We have received numerous requests for help this year due to the state of the economy so please consider participating in this years drive! All donations will be delivered on Friday December 18, 2009 to the Open Door at Fort Street Presbyterian Church in Detroit. Thank you!!

Many Retirees have called and asked about the Christmas Bonus. Retirees are still entitled to a Christmas Bonus per the 2007 National Agreement which states: UAW Retirees and surviving spouses whose benefit started before October 1, 2007 will receive four lump- sum payments during the proposed 2007-2011 agreement. The payment for December 2007 will be $700 for all retirees and $455 for all surviving spouses. The lump-sum payments to be made in December 2008, December 2009 and December 2010 will be $23.33 times years of credited service, with a minimum of $233.33 and a maximum of $700. Surviving spouses will receive 65 percent of the retiree amount.

We have been informed that this year the lump-sum payment will be distributed the week of December 21, 2009.

There will be no Christmas Bonus for active Members this year.