Big News for the UAW! Stephen P. Yokich, the current President of the UAW, has announced his plans to retire. Only one nomination was made to succeed Mr. Yokich. That lone nomination went to Mr. Ron Gettlefinger, who currently holds the office of Vice-President and director of the UAW Ford Department. Local 892 officials congratulated Stephen Yokich for its members, on his future retirement plans, and of course Ron Gettlefinger for receiving the nomination.

Congratulations! Recently, the in-plant union office has gone through a personnel change. Sue Bedder, a former District Committeeperson has accepted a Diecast Diemaker apprenticeship. Since Sue was required to resign her position per our Local bylaws, the number on Alternate District Committeeperson, Jodie Uroda, moved up to fill that full time position, and the number two Alternate, Antwuan Riley has assumed the duties of handling attendance issues for the union. Please welcome both of these union officials to their new positions, and thank you to Sue for the work you did for our membership

Christmas Bonus! The 2001 Christmas season is upon us, and that means another negotiated pay benefit for all of our active eligible employees. The Christmas Bonus will be paid in the pay period in which December 1st falls. (This year, that will be during pay ending, December 9,2001.) Eligibility rules remain the same as in the current agreement. Those eligible will receive Christmas Bonuses based on the schedule below.

Pay Periods Worked Followed by Christmas Bonus Amount

26 or more - $600.00
20 through 25 - $450.00
13 through 19 - $300.00

The eligibility rules are in Volume I of the National contract dated October 9,1999, beginning on page 113.

Skilled Trades Workforce Expands! The Skilled Trades membership has increased by ten people, including a combination of journeyman, and apprentices as follows:

Journeyman:

• 2-Machine Repair 
• 2-Millwrights
• 1-Electrician

Apprentices: 

• 2-Diecast Diemakers
• 1-Electrician
• 1-Machine Repair
• 1-Hydraulic

Welcome to all, and congratulations.

0% Interest Rates on Car Loans May Slow Spring Car Sales! Since the Big Three are competing for business, by offering this zero percent interest rate incentive, the economists are predicting reduced spring car sales for the automobile industry as a whole. Of course, this predicted reduction in spring sales could mean less production in the automobile industry and thus a slowing of economic growth. While everyone enjoys the great deals on automobiles now, it only makes sense to assume that those consumers who may have waited until spring to buy, have changed their plans, and are buying now. The UAW encourages everyone to plan your budgets accordingly.

Salary Leader Rents UAW Hall for Farewell Gathering! Marsha Helton, our former Plant Manager here at Saline, contacted our Local Union Hall representatives, and reserved our Union Hall for her farewell gathering. Marsha has cordially invited all of the Saline plant employees for snacks and beverages from 4:00-6:00p.m. The Local's address is 601Woodland Drive. A buffet dinner is scheduled to begin at 6:00pm, at a cost of $15.00, RSVP no later than November the 19th with Carolyn Oats, 5-6313, or Nancy Miller, 5-6818. From outside the plant, dial 734/429-then the last four digits of the previously noted in-plant numbers.

New Plant Manager to Succeed Marsha Helton! Bill Cooper, formerly from the Milan Visteon plant has taken over the Plant Manager position here at Saline. Mr. Cooper has postponed some of the previously scheduled training in the plant in an effort to evaluate the business and become more familiar with these programs before deciding to proceed. Decisions to continue these programs will be made after the 1st of the year. 

Christmas Giving Tree 2001. Just a reminder that it is, "that time of year," time for the Christmas Giving Tree. Please take a moment to visit the main cafeteria this week if you have not already.
There are only a few days left to "Pick a Bulb"; the Giving Tree only lasts until the 21st of this month:
Number 1 & 2 shifts can pick out a bulb from 5:30am - 1:30pm and number 3 shift from 6:30pm - 9:30pm

We are requesting that the gifts be returned to Conference Room D, located in the basement, through the week of November 26-30, 2001. Conference Room D will be open from 5:00 am - 5:00pm. If you are unable to take the time to pick out the gift yourself you can also donate money to the organization. The committee will purchase the gifts for you. Let's make sure all 400 children have a gift to open this year. If anyone has picked a bulb and realizes after the fact that you are unable to return a gift or you have misplaced it, please let the committee know so they can replace the bulb on the tree. Again, we want all of the children to receive a gift.

The ceremony for the gift giving will be held on Tuesday, December 4, 2001, at 10:30 am. Help us make this a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New.

Thank you, and please, if you have any questions contact Janice Jones, Mary Sladowski, Johnny Epps, Cathy Pelham, Heavy "D", Bob McComb, and Wendy Graham, for day shift information. On the afternoon shift, contact Betty White. If all else fails, call 5-9537, and leave a message, someone from the committee will get back to you.