UAW Local 245 President's Blog

noreply@blogger.com (Keith W. Brown) — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 11:46:00 +0000

At the General Membership Meeting on Sunday February 21, I announced that I will be convening a Local 245 Constitutional Convention Committee to prepare for the UAW Constitutional Convention that will occur in Detroit on June 14-18, 2010. Due to the importance of this years convention I feel it necessary to go above and beyond to give each member an opportunity to have their concerns heard. This is a committee that will bring ideas from each unit together to be discussed and have that information shared with the elected delegates and taken to the Convention. I expect this committee to meet three times before the June Convention. If you are interested in participating please email president@local245.com or call me at 313-561-7500.
Local 245 is allotted 5 elected Delegates (3 from R&E and 2 from all other units) and they will be elected in a special election on April 14, 2010.
We are also at this time accepting resolutions for the convention. Resolutions must be based on something you would like modified or changed in the blue UAW Constitution book. All resolutions must be to Local 245 Headquarters by Sunday March 21 in time for discussion and vote at the General Membership Meeting.

noreply@blogger.com (Keith W. Brown) — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 17:36:00 +0000

Last week I had the privilege of attending the 2010 Census Kickoff in Detroit. I wanted to relay some of the information to each of you to prepare you for the census itself and to remind you of the importance of this questionnaire. I have included a list of ways that the census data is used for on the back of this communication.
The US Constitution requires a national census once every ten years to count the population and determine the number of seats each state will have in the US House of Representatives. More importantly the data is also used to determine federal funding for community services such as school lunch programs, senior services and new construction for highways and hospitals. The census bureau is reaching out to all organizations including labor for their assistance in this year’s census.
The census will be conducted again this year with questionnaires being mailed to families in March by US Mail or by being hand delivered. Each census will have ten questions pertaining to your household.
It is important to note that this information is confidential among the Census Bureau and an individual’s responses cannot be shared by law with anyone, including other federal agencies and law enforcement entities.
I also wanted to inform you of the potential job opportunities that the Census can provide with wages ranging from $8.25 to $19.50. If you know of anyone that is searching for work the census does provide temporary job opportunities. We have been told to have interested parties call 1-866-861-2010 or log on to the web and go to www.2010censusjobs.gov to apply.
Finally I have copies of what the census will look like as well as other literature and information available at the local if anyone is interested. If you wish to view this information on the web go to www.census.gov/2010census As always if there are questions or comments feel free to contact me at the local.

noreply@blogger.com (Keith W. Brown) — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 12:03:00 +0000

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

On January 20, 2010 we attended the UAW National Ford Council Meetings in Detroit and voted overwhelmingly to support Vice President King’s recommendation to file policy grievances in every UAW Ford and ACH bargaining unit signed by every member protesting Ford’s recent announcement to restore certain non represented salary compensation and benefit programs. Vice President King reported that top UAW leaders had immediately protested Ford’s announcement and have held numerous meetings expressing our strong disagreement and anger over the announcement.
We are outraged that after UAW members have sacrificed so much to keep Ford viable that Ford would so irresponsibly violate the terms of the letters of understanding in the 2007 UAW Ford National Collective Bargaining Agreement and the 2009 Modification dealing with Equality of Sacrifice.
The UAW and Ford have accomplished important goals by working together. Most importantly though our collective bargaining efforts we have kept numerous plants open and put major investment and products in our plants in the Untied States when other auto companies were closing multiple plants and shipping work to countries outside of the United Sates. Many communities have been saved by our members’ sacrifices to keep products and investment here in the U.S.
Also through the great work ethic and cooperation of our UAW Ford members working with Ford management at both the plant and National level the Quality of Ford products has risen to the best in the industry. The fact that we were able to accomplish dramatic improvements in quality at the same time we were going through tremendous churning of the workforce due to the retirement and buyouts is unprecedented in any industry and a huge tribute to the UAW Ford hourly members who accomplished this in their day to day work.
We cannot allow Ford to make the huge mistake of undermining the morale of the most important players in their path to recovery. Alan Mulally has led this recovery under the theme of One Ford, One Team, One Goal. It is a flagrant violation of the language and principles of the UAW Ford Contract and ill advised in the midst of this recovery to restore the compensation and benefit programs for one group without equitable restoration to all.

We are asking every member to stand in Solidarity and sign the policy grievance protesting Fords flagrant contract violations!

In Solidarity,

Rodney Clemons Keith Brown
R&E Chairman President

noreply@blogger.com (Keith W. Brown) — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 14:00:00 +0000

There will be a Special General Membership Meeting on Monday January 25, 2010 at Local 245. The meeting should be brief, will begin at 2:30 pm and be primarily for the purposes of swearing in new Executive Board Officers and R&E Unit representatives. Hope to see you there...

noreply@blogger.com (Keith W. Brown) — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:45:00 +0000

UNOFFICIAL ELECTION RESULTS

EXECUTIVE BOARD

VICE PRESIDENT:

Kim Moore 368

Art Antal Jr. 263

GUIDE:

Jim Bell Jr. 382

Scott Abernathy 213

RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING UNIT:

BARGAINING COMMITTEEMAN:

Paul Vergari 247

Chris Danish 121

Art Antal Jr. 120

COMMITTEEMAN at LARGE:

Joe Rencsok 310

Ali Shareef 170

noreply@blogger.com (Keith W. Brown) — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 14:22:00 +0000

Today is ELECTION DAY at Local 245! Please remember to VOTE!! Ballot boxes will be traveling to off site locations and outside units. Thank you in advance for coming out and to all the candidates for their efforts!!
VOTE!!!! VOTE!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Keith W. Brown) — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 01:10:00 +0000

Greetings Members and Retirees!
We are currently asking for members and retirees to volunteer to stand in solidarity with brothers and sisters from both Region 1 and Region 1-A as we picket the North American International Auto Show in Detroit! We will be picketing Toyota after their harsh decision to idle the California NUMMI plant which was a joint venture between GM and Toyota with its workforce being UAW members. These members are going to be out of a job due to this unnecessary action by Toyota. As a result Vice President Jimmy Settles is asking brothers and sisters across the country to picket Toyota at all Major US auto shows throughout the year! You will be asked to volunteer in a 2.5 hour time slot on Saturday January 16, Sunday January 17 or Monday January 18, 2010. Please call Local 245 at 313-561-7500 for further questions and information or to volunteer! I look forward to seeing you at Cobo!

noreply@blogger.com (Keith W. Brown) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 11:30:00 +0000

Our January General Membership Meeting will be held this Sunday January 10, 2010 at 1pm at Local 245. The meeting was moved as a result of Membership action to move the meeting ahead one week to accommodate for the three day Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday weekend. The Holiday this year will be observed on Monday January 18, 2010. Hope to see you at the meeting...

noreply@blogger.com (Keith W. Brown) — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 02:50:00 +0000

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!

noreply@blogger.com (Keith W. Brown) — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 18:12:00 +0000

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.

noreply@blogger.com (Keith W. Brown) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 14:47:00 +0000

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.

noreply@blogger.com (Keith W. Brown) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 12:04:00 +0000

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!!

noreply@blogger.com (Keith W. Brown) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 11:04:00 +0000

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.

noreply@blogger.com (Keith W. Brown) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:34:00 +0000

My warmest wishes for a safe and Happy Thanksgiving weekend to all Members Retirees and your families! Go Lions!

noreply@blogger.com (Keith W. Brown) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:50:00 +0000

Greetings Members and Retirees!

THE GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING SCHEDULED FOR SUNDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2009 AT 1 PM HAS BEEN CANCELLED. HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

noreply@blogger.com (Keith W. Brown) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:10:00 +0000

Please join me in congratulating Brian Arp our current CAP Chairman for his big Victory in the Gibraltar City Council election that was held yesterday! Brian worked hard for the last several months along with his family knocking about 500 doors in Gibraltar and the hard work paid off as he had the highest vote count and finished first. Brian is now the second UAW Local 245 member to run for a City Council position and finish in the top spot as Retiree and former Recreation Co-chair Tony Lalli was successful at this two years ago in Allen Park.

noreply@blogger.com (Keith W. Brown) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:06:00 +0000

Tuesday November 3, 2009 is ELECTION DAY!! Please excercise one of our greatest freedoms we enjoy as Americans by going to vote in your respective municipality or Township.

noreply@blogger.com (Keith W. Brown) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 21:24:00 +0000

Greetings Members and Retirees!

The Ford R&E Ratification Vote results are as follows:

Skilled Trades 87 % No (Modifications Defeated)

Non Skilled 90% NO (Modifications Defeated)

We are extremely proud to report on behalf of the Election Committee that the Voter turnout was an outstanding 71%. Thank You to all of our members that came out to make their voice heard! Thank you to Kirk Brayman and Steve Vines from the Election Committee for handling this Vote!

Keith Brown & Rodney Clemons

noreply@blogger.com (Keith W. Brown) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 18:26:00 +0000

Greetings Members and Retirees,
Thank you to each of you that have called to support Rodney and I during this on-going contract modification explanation and vote process. We appreciate all feed back. As you can imagine We have been receiving a high volume of calls and emails and are doing our best to get back to you in a timely matter...we thank you for your patience and understanding as we have both been in many meetings and will continue to get back to you as quickly as possible.

UAW International Representatives from various departments are on site at R&E and walking the floor to answer questions and receive feed back and comments on these proposed modifications. Please feel free to talk with them and give them your input on the new deal. We look forward to seeing you at the explanation meetings on Tuesday and the Vote on Thursday!

Ratification Meetings Scheduled

noreply@blogger.com (Keith W. Brown) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:11:00 +0000

Greetings Members and Retirees! It has been very good to see many of you in the R&E Unit over the past few days as Chairman Rodney Clemons and I have visited many areas to distribute our letter to you in regards to the current modifications of the National Agreement. We appreciate the support and feed back this membership has provided. As promised, explanation meetings have been scheduled and will Occur on Tuesday October 27. The first one will be at Local 245 at 8 am followed by a meeting at 1:30 pm and 3:30 pm both of which will be at the Fuel Cell Center on Trackside. The Vote itself will occur on Thursday October 29, 2009 beginning at 5am and polls will close at 5pm.As we have discussed Rodney and I are not in favor of this agreement due to the three reasons we pointed out in our letter but also due to numerous local issues that we need to have resolved. With that though, we feel very strongly and are encouraging our membership, to try to attend the explanation meetings and ask questions of the National Team. It is especially important that every member exercises their right to vote as you see fit. If there are further questions feel free to call Rodney or I at any time. Thank you for your continued support!

noreply@blogger.com (Keith W. Brown) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 18:46:00 +0000

Greetings Members and Retirees! It has been very good to see many of you in the R&E Unit over the past few days as Chairman Rodney Clemons and I have visited many areas to distribute our letter to you in regards to the current modifications of the National Agreement. We appreciate the support and feed back this membership has provided.
As promised, explanation meetings have been scheduled and will Occur on Tuesday October 27. The first one will be at Local 245 at 8 am followed by a meeting at 1:30 pm and 3:30 pm both of which will be at the Fuel Cell Center on Trackside. The Vote itself will occur on Thursday October 29, 2009 beginning at 5am and polls will close at 5pm.
As we have discussed Rodney and I are not in favor of this agreement due to the three reasons we pointed out in our letter but also due to numerous local issues that we need to have resolved. With that though, we feel very strongly and are encouraging our membership, to try to attend the explanation meetings and ask questions of the National Team. It is especially important that every member exercises their right to vote as you see fit. If there are further questions feel free to call Rodney or I at any time. Thank you for your continued support!

Contract Modifications

noreply@blogger.com (Keith W. Brown) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:06:00 +0000

Greetings Members and Retirees...Rodney Clemons and I attended the National Ford Council meeting today in Detroit. National Ford along with the National Negotiators came to an agreement on further modifications to the 2007 National Agreement and presented them to the National Ford Council Delegates today. After explanation, questions and a great deal of discussion, the Delegates voted to accept the modifications and send them to the membership for vote and ratification. This was not a unanimous vote. High-lite books are in and will be delivered and/or picked up beginning tomorrow. We do not have a date for the National Team to roll out the changes to our membership as of yet but as soon as we do we will notify all members. As always feel free to contact Rodney or I for further information.

noreply@blogger.com (Keith W. Brown) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 12:37:00 +0000

Greetings Brothers and Sisters,
There are many reports that the UAW has again negotiated modifications with Ford to our 2007 agreement. Leadership has heard the same reports and while we have been given no details at the local level, local leadership has been called to Detroit on Tuesday October 13, 2009. There will be a President and Chairman's meeting at 11 am and a National Ford Council Delegate Meeting at 1 pm. As we receive information we will pass it on to membership promptly or convene a membership meeting if necessary to get you any information that may be coming.

noreply@blogger.com (Keith W. Brown) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 20:20:00 +0000

Its that time for our Second Annual Strike A Cure Bowling fundraiser!! The event will take place on Saturday October 3, 2009 at 1:00 pm at Thunderbowl lanes. This years event will feature cancer awareness information, over 20 gift baskets to be given away, including an overnight stay at the Hyatt, Toledo Mudhens tickets for 2010 and an autographed Detroit Lions Football to name a few...there will also be t-shirts, food and discounted beverages! Please consider joining us for the days activities even if you don't bowl. We will also have a survivor recognition to honor those that have fought this terrible disease! I look forward to seeing you there and you may reserve your lane by calling Local 245 at 313-561-7500. Forms and information are also available on this website.

noreply@blogger.com (Keith W. Brown) — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 14:20:00 +0000

LABOR DAY is Monday September 7, 2009 and as usual the Local will be participating in the annual Labor Day Parade. This years parade will again be on Woodward Avenue and all Members Retirees and Families are invited to come out and enjoy the day. You can meet us downtown as we line up on Parsons Street near Woodward before the start of the parade. You may also join us here at the local for a continental breakfast and a bus ride downtown to Seldon Street where we will line up for the parade. Following the parade a bar b q lunch will be served at Local 245. Buses will leave Local 245 by 730 am. the parade begins at 930 am. Come and join in the fun and solidarity by marching in the Labor Day Parade! If you have any questions call Local 245 at 561-7500.