President Phone: 972-647-1282 E-mail: cartwrightuaw276@aol.com |
UNIT 1 (GM) SHOP CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT SATURDAY SCHEDULES: We are scheduled to work the following Saturdays: Saturday – March 3, 2012 EASTER & MEMORIAL HOLIDAY SCHEDULES: The Easter Holiday will be scheduled as a
four (4) day weekend: April 6, 7, 8, and
9, 2012. VACATION DOWNTIME: The vacation downtime has been scheduled for
August 13 – August 24, 2012. The plant will
be shutdown during those two (2) weeks.
Remember that, during the second week of
vacation downtime, you have the option of
using your vacation entitlement or
being on unpaid leave of absence or
you may use four (4) hours of vacation
entitlement or eight (8)
hours of vacation entitlement or
twelve (12) hours of vacation
entitlement or sixteen
(16) hours of vacation entitlement
or twenty (20)
hours of vacation entitlement or
twenty-four (24) hours of
vacation entitlement or
twenty-eight (28) hours of
vacation entitlement or
thirty-two (32) hours of
vacation entitlement or
thirty-six (36) hours of
vacation entitlement or
forty (40) hours of vacation
entitlement. The choice is yours. But, again,
you can only make that choice for the
second week only. LAYOFF SCHEDULE: The plant is scheduled for layoff August 27,
2012, and will return to work on September
4, 2012. |
UNIT 1 (GM) SHOP CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT QUESTIONS ABOUT THE DOWNTIME: Many of you have brought concerns to me regarding the downtime that has to be scheduled this year to do plant renovations which are required for us to be able to build the next generation of SUVs here at Arlington. The work that must be done will involve all Production departments, but the most significant changes will be in the Paint Department. The improvements that will be made will give Arlington a world-class Paint Shop. I have been working diligently with our Plant Manager Paul Graham to determine the best time to make these renovations, giving full consideration to the needs of our membership. I expect that the schedule will be announced shortly. As stated in paragraph (202h) of the National Agreement, Management has the right to schedule two (2) weeks of vacation shutdown every year which requires you to use two (2) weeks of vacation. However, given our anticipated high overtime requirements as well as the needs of our membership to have time off, I have been able to secure a special agreement for this year regarding the two-week shutdown. Under this special agreement, the first week will be a vacation shutdown which will require employees to use their vacation entitle of forty (40) hours for the first week of the shutdown. The second week of the shutdown, employees will have the option of using up to forty (40) additional hours of their vacation entitlement in increments of four (4) hours up to forty (40) hours. That is an option for the second week: Any amount of hours between a minimum of four (4) hours up to a maximum of forty (40) hours, or be on an unpaid leave of absence for the second week. Having this option will give the ability to our membership to schedule time off at a different time other than the second week of the shutdown. Please note that you will not be eligible for either SUB pay or unemployment during either of those two (2) weeks. QUESTIONS ABOUT EASTER: Also, another concern that has been brought to me pertains to Monday, April 9, 2012, following Easter. I have also been having discussion surrounding the Monday following Easter. I will also be announcing the outcome of our discussions shortly. |
PRESIDENT'S REPORT V-CAP: The 2011 V-CAP Cruise winners are: Daniel Kandlbinder, active member of Local 31 I would like to thank all the UAW Local 276 members who support V-CAP. Our 2010 V-CAP cruise winner from our local was Lakeisa Fuller Dept. 25-1. Be sure to purchase V-CAP tickets and sign-up for automatic V-CAP deductions. You never know: You could be the next winner. In addition, check out your co-worker’s V-CAP gold watch. Ever wonder how they were able to get it? Join the Director’s Club by signing up for an automatic $25 per month V-CAP deduction; reach a total of $300 in $25 per month V-CAP deductions; provide the Financial Secretary with a copy of your check stub showing the $300 in $25 per month deductions; and Local 276 will request your gold watch from Region 5. It’s just that simple. WHITE T-SHIRT DAY: Wear your white t-shirt on Thursday, February 9, 2012, in support of the 75th anniversary of the Original “Occupy” sit-downers in Flint Michigan in 1937. “It symbolizes the worker is just as good as the foreman, and on White Shirt Day the guys and girls in the shop wear a white shirt, too.” If you don’t have a white t-shirt, you can purchase a Local 276 commemorative one today. Check the monitors for more information. UNEMPLOYMENT UPDATE: If you still have issues with your unemployment claims or SUB payments, please contact the Benefits Office in the plant at 817-652-2485 or 817-652-6486 for GA; 817-607-6785 for Body Shop; or 817-607-2919 for Paint. I have been informed that the entire process will be reviewed with the plant to avoid any future delays in your negotiated benefits. Your UAW Local Benefit Representatives will be there to help you resolve any issue that you encounter with the process. VOTER REGISTRATION: Have you registered to vote? If not, our UAW CAP Committee will be holding a voter registration drive. If you are interested in becoming a Registrar or joining the CAP Committee contact Vickie Taylor (1-70-01); Sandra Gatson (2-70-01); or contact the Union Hall at 972-647-1282. INTERNATIONALLY APPOINTED POSITIONS: Watch the bulletin boards and monitors for information on how to apply for upcoming International appointments. The appointments will be shift specific – you must be on the shift of the position you are applying for at the time of your application. The appointments will be made by the International Union. |
NOTICE TO ALL UAW LOCAL 276 MEMBERS ACTIVE AND RETIRED
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SUB PAY | ||
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If you call 1-800-489-4646 and it does not have information about your particular SUB payment, it will be updated tomorrow. |
UNEMPLOYMENT & SUB PAY UPDATE The unemployment issues with the State of Texas have been addressed. Texas has sent the information to General Motors; and the SUB checks (for employees who qualified for unemployment) will be mailed on Friday, January 27, 2012. |
UNEMPLOYMENT & SUB PAY
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UNIT 1 (GM) SHOP CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT BARGAINING COMMITTEE RESPONSIBILITIES: Do you know what the responsibilities are that your Committeeperson, Alternate Committeeperson, Committeeperson-at-Large, and Shop Chairperson are charged with? The Bargaining Committee is charged with:
If you have a question about the above under the National or Local Agreement, please contact your Committeeperson as listed below. WHO HANDLES MY BENEFITS: Your Benefit Representatives handle:
If you have questions about any of the above listed benefits, including Unemployment and/or SUB pay, please call the Benefit Office at 817-652-2485 or 817-652-2486; or go by the Benefit Office. If you have a problem with a Benefit Representative, you must address your concerns to the President of UAW Local 276 Michael Cartwright.
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UNIT 1 (GM) SHOP CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT TWO-WEEK SHUTDOWN: We all know that we have been scheduled to
be down two (2) weeks in July. However, it
has not been officially announced as to whether
those two (2) weeks will be vacation time or
not vacation time. Therefore, I am asking
that everyone hang on and wait until there is
an official announcement. Per paragraph
(202a) of the 2011 National Agreement, the
Plant Manager has until February 2012, to
officially announce the dates for the shutdown
and whether or not that will be vacation time.
Due to all the questions and concerns our people are having, I am asking that everyone be patient, not be a party to rumors, and wait until an official announcement has been made before addressing the vacation question. As soon as a settlement has been agreed upon, I will notify you. |
PRESIDENT’S REPORT Welcome back Brothers and Sisters, I hope
your holidays were wonderful. 2011 was very
eventful for our membership. 2012 will be
very important to us and our future, during
this year we must show solidarity and support
each other, because our jobs and our way of
life are still under attack.
I hope you will join me and your UAW Local 276 Executive Board in doing our part to support our members and all middle class working Americans. UNION MEMBERSHIP CARDS: The 2012 UAW Local 276 membership cards were mailed to members’ addresses of record during the Christmas holiday. If you do not receive your card by January 7, 2012, please call the union hall at 972-647-1282 to verify your address. Reminder – if you change your address/phone number with General Motors, you still must also change it directly with the Union Hall. 2012 UAW POCKET CALENDARS: The 2012 UAW 276 pocket calendars will be available soon and will be issued through the Bargaining Committee. UNION MEETING REMINDER: The union meetings scheduled in January (both for active members and retired members) have been cancelled. The February general membership meeting will be held on Sunday, February 12, 2012, at 2:00 PM. STANDING COMMITTEE BUDGET REQUESTS: As per UAW Local 276 By-Laws Article 12, section 9, UAW Local 276 standing committees must submit 2012 committee budget requests for consideration by the Executive Board and membership. Deadline for the submissions is 5:00 PM Monday, January 30, 2012. The budget forms may be picked up at the Union Hall Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. DONATION REQUESTS: As per UAW Local 276 By-Laws Article 12,
section 8, donation requests for charities
and non-profit organizations must be submitted
by members in good standing for consideration
by the Executive Board and membership. The
deadline for submission is 5:00 PM Monday,
January 30, 2012. As above, the donation
request forms can be obtained at the Union
Hall. Also, be sure all areas are complete,
including the tax identification number of
the charity or non-profit in question. On behalf of your UAW Local 276 Executive board:
We would like to thank you for your support in 2011, and we look forward to making 2012 an even better year for our members, our Local, and our community. *UNEMPLOYMENT WAGE REPORTING!* December 18 – December 24, 2011: Report “no wages” December 25 – December 31, 2011: Report the amount of Holiday Pay you will be receiving (multiply your base rate [plus shift premium – if applicable] times 40.0 hours) |
UNEMPLOYMENT FILING UPDATE ATTENTION: The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has changed
the unemployment filing period from one (1)
week to two (2) weeks which has changed the
filing dates for unemployment to the period
of January 1 – 4, 2012. Your individual filing
date is stated in the unemployment packet you
are getting this week. If you miss the filing
date, the makeup dates are Thursday, January
5, 2012, or Friday, January 6, 2012.
MAKE SURE YOU FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE UNEMPLOYMENT PACKET YOU RECEIVE FROM THE TEXAS WORKFORCE COMMISSION (TWC). IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE YOUR PACKET, CALL 1-800-939-6631 TO REQUEST PAYMENT. |
UNEMPLOYMENT INFORMATION
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PRESIDENT'S REPORT BENEFITS: Clarification Related to Notice of Termination of the GM Personal
Retirement Plan for Hourly-Rate Employees in the United States. On
October 18, 2011, you received an HR Bulletin which provided a copy
of the Notice of Intent to Terminate the GM Personal Retirement Plan
(PRP) for hourly rate employees in the United States. The notice was
mailed to all participants in the GM hourly cash balance plan. The
termination notice applies ONLY to the HOURLY CASH
BALANCE PLAN and NOT TO THE GM. HOURLY RATE EMPLOYEES’
PENSION PLAN. THERE IS NO CHANGE TO THE TRADITIONAL PENSION PLAN! LAYOFF WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS: Our Benefit Representatives and I met with John Childers from the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) on the process that will be used to file for unemployment the week of December 18 – 24, 2011. This should be an easy process. Everyone will receive their packages in the mail telling you exactly what to do and what date to do it. We have approximately twelve (12) members who may have to combine their unemployment between two (2) states, but they have been identified and will receive separate instructions from Plant Personnel. FMLA REMINDER: Effective January 3, 2012, all Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leaves will be administered by Sedgwick CMS - GM’s third party Disability Administrator. Hourly employees will be instructed to call Sedgwick at 1-800-489-4646, select the prompt for FMLA, to request an intermittent or continuous FMLA claim. Sedgwick will evaluate the claim against federal and state guidelines and either process the claim or advise the employee that it does not meet the guidelines. Hourly employees who are reporting an absence under an approved FMLA claim must also call the GM call-in number at 1-800-222-8889. Sedgwick will track and report the claim status to the appropriate plant location’s Labor Relations department. COMMUNITY SERVICES: I have been reminded by our Community Services Committee that the holidays are upon us and that our membership may be called upon for support in helping our less fortunate neighbors through gate collections for food and financial donations. TEN (10) SERVICES YOU SHOULD GET FROM YOUR LEGAL SERVICES PLAN NOW (BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE): As an active UAW member or retiree, you and your family have numerous
legal services available to you free of charge from the UAW Legal
Services Plan offices and cooperating attorneys, but not forever.
Under the new labor agreement with GM, the Legal Services Plan will
stop taking new cases at the end of December, 2013. Cases opened
before that date will be completed by the Plan.
You have full access to all the benefits of the UAW Legal Services Plan until the end of 2013. Keep your legal services benefit in mind. Now is the time to let them help you. The GM local office located in Arlington can be reached at 817-640-0393. |
UNIT 1 (GM) CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT Finally, the long hot days of summer have
faded away and the cool crisp air of late
fall has arrived. With the color of the trees
changing to gold, red, and yellow, we know
that Thanksgiving is just around the corner. |
UNIT 1 (GM) CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT PAY INCREASE FOR ENTRY LEVEL EMPLOYEES: The pay increase for Entry Level Employees, as provided in the 2011 UAW/GM National Agreement, will be effective on October 31, 2011. Eligible employees will see the wage increase on their pay check dated November 11, 2011. Additional communications are forthcoming regarding the date of the retroactive payment that will include the wage differential due from the date of the ratification of the 2011 UAW/GM National Agreement September 28, 2011, through October 30, 11. HOLIDAY PAY FOR FLEX AND TEMPS: All Flex employees and Temporary employees, who have been here over ninety (90) days will receive Holiday Pay starting with the Thanksgiving week of November 23 – 25, 2011, and will also include the week of Christmas as well as the holidays coming for the year 2012. |
UNIT 1 (GM) CHAIRPERSON’S UPDATE WORK SCHEDULE - OCTOBER 10, 2011: Both 1st and 2nd Shift WILL work on Monday, October 10, 2011. |
UNIT 1 (GM) CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT VACATION/PAY IN LIEU: I understand that the National Agreement has been modified on the “use it or lose it” language. As of today, those of you who have vacation and have not used it, you do not have to use it if you choose not to. We are in discussion on how to implement this. I will be getting with Plant Manager Paul Graham to make sure that we are on the same page on how this is done. Also, I will be taking the Alternates off the line to help with this. HIGH DEFINITION CAMERAS: Previously, we put out information that GM now has high definition cameras throughout the property. These high definition cameras are in color and extremely clear. Already, they have video showing employees using other people’s badges to go in and out of the plant. Please, please be careful with your actions because of these cameras. Hopefully, GM will be able to catch people who are breaking into our cars and catch the people who are stealing our cars. PLANT EXPANSION: Today we will be celebrating ground breaking for expansion of the plant. As part of that celebration, both sides of the UAW and General Motors staff will be in attendance as well as the media. This is a great thing for General Motors Arlington as it will bring more jobs and a new product to our facility. 2011 GM/UAW NATIONAL AGREEMENT: The official ratification of the 2011 GM/UAW National Agreement was September 28, 2011, with the effective date of the National Agreement being October 3, 2011. Eligible employees will receive the signing bonus two weeks from the effective date of the National Agreement. |
Union Made - |
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Local 277 |