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Soldiers Of Solidarity No.26
To improve working conditions, create a uniform system of shorter hours, higher wages, health care and pensions; to maintain
and protect the interests of workers under the jurisdiction of this International Union. Article 2 Section 1 UAW Constitution
How can this statement be true when my father who worked for GM for 32 years and retired as a Penske employee received a letter
informing him of a meeting and a vote on a $287.00 payment to offset health care cost. My father who is 78 does not need this
hardship at this stage of his life. Here is a statement by Mike Westfall in a recent email which I am in total agreement with,
“After putting in the stresses of a lifetime of difficult and stressful labor, an autoworker’s pension and retirement
benefits should be considered sacred and “Off Limits”! Destroying autoworker pensions is not the answer and can
never be supported.”
To even think this is an option to take away our retires livelihood and open the door for further future cuts is outrageous.
Some are of the opinion that the lawsuit filed was a maneuver by our leadership to protect themselves from being sued by the
retirees.
"The UAW cannot bargain on behalf of retirees," said Thomas Kienbaum, a Birmingham-based labor law specialist. "So the only
way you are going to bind every retiree to the agreement is through a court order."
“The union does not represent GM retirees in collective bargaining agreements with the automaker and is in a position
to be sued for illegally voting away benefits. The suit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
may be a way to get court approval of the health benefits changes the UAW agreed to and to avoid extended litigation.”
UAW Files Post-Agreement Suit Over GM Health Plan Cuts By LINDA COADY, ESQ., Andrews Publications Staff Writer
“By getting a couple proxies to file a class action lawsuit against GM (and providing lawyers), the union could both
‘manage’ the scope of the suit and be declared the sole representatives of UAW-GM retirees. This means retirees
will not be able to file a class action suit of their own, nor have an independent say in any proposed remedy… The UAW
lawsuit against GM doesn’t prevent cuts in health care for retirees, it endorses the UAW’s collaboration with
corporations in executing changes the company wants. Active members jeopardize their own security by endorsing such a policy.
Protect UAW Retirees: Their Future is Our Future UAW New Directions Movement – October 21, 2005
Getting very close to retirement myself and knowing the sacrifices that have been made from those who are retired now, it
is this writers opinion that retirement benefits should be “Off Limits” and any tentative agreement will be a
“NO” vote.
If there is to be concessions then it shouldn’t be one-sided. Here are some of the questions we need to ask.
Will there be a cap? If the amount we pay is by the hour those who work more hours will pay more.
We can deduct health care expenses on our taxes when we obtain a certain percentage of cost. Will we be able to use this tax
advantage if we are giving up part of our pay increases?
$ 1.00 an hour now and in Sept. 2006 we give up our 3% raise increase (Estimate .81 cent) and if you work an average of 2000
hours a year for two years (until the next agreement) add these two years together 1st year you will be paying 1x 2000=2000
the 2nd year 1.81x 2000= 3620 for two year total 5620 an average of 2310 a year.
What else we should be considering, if through the court the UAW obtains sole representation of its retirees:
Under Article 19 section 3 of the UAW constitution “Upon application to and approval of the International Executive
Board, a ratification procedure may be adopted wherein apprenticable skilled trades and related worker, production workers,
office workers, engineers, and technicians would vote separately on contractual matters common to all and, in the same vote
on those matters which relate exclusively to their group.”
Will the retirees fall under this article and have the right to vote on contractual matters pertaining to them?
If not we need to have amendments to the UAW Constitution to give them their democratic right to participate in making decisions
that affect their lives. We need leaders who will support this. Retirees do have some voting power and that is in the election
of the Presidents and the Executive board members of the locals. The retirees should take the position if any President and
Executive Board member who does not take the position that retirement Benefits should be “Off Limits” should be
ousted out of office. Also Delegates and future Delegates should have the same “Off Limit” position.
In a past newsletter of mine, I mentioned that Dave Yettaw former President of Local 599 before his untimely passing wanted
to start a national campaign and was going to kick it off with some “Don’t Let Em Drain Our Contract” buttons.
Helen Shepard and I have those buttons and will be giving them out to those who wish to wear them.
In Solidarity,
Miguel X. Chavarria
Michavarria@comcast.net
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