Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I hope everyone had a happy and safe Holladay.  2010 is going to be a much better year than 2009.  I believe UAW 1714’s membership will only increase this year.  Meanwhile, UAW members are in battle for our future.  Not only was 2009 a difficult year for all of us locally, across our great union membership has decreased at a rapid pace. I was called to Detroit to attend the UAW Leadership meeting Wednesday, December 16. As always, I was honored to represent our great Local. Below is a brief summary of the comments from some of the International Leaders who addressed us Local Leaders.

RON GETTELFINGER

Who we put in office does matter. Under the Bush Administration, Labor met with the President only one time (and this was at the request of the Pope). Since President Obama has been in office, Labor has met with the President or his staff every week. The labor movement has many strong leaders. One of them is the new leader of the National AFL-CIO, Richard Trumpka. Mr. Trumpka was the right choice in these tough times. The UAW is looking to make a decision on some changes at Black Lake; recommendations to the International Executive Board will be forthcoming.

ELIZABETH BUNN

Our union has been losing members and revenue at an alarming rate. October of 2005 we had 606,000 members; today our membership has declined to 431,000, even after successful organizing drives gaining 30,000 new members. Our membership is the UAW’s main source of income and over the last year we lost $5.6 million per month. We are at a crossroads. We must change to survive, yet stay true to our core beliefs of protecting workers rights and supporting social and economic justice for all. We do need the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) to pass, but first we need President Obama to sign a health care bill that makes sense for working people. We cannot lie down, we need to stand up and fight for our future. A collective decision we must make.

CAL RAPSON

There was an enormous amount of change over this past year. The automakers went to the government in need of a loan and we got an attack on labor. The UAW was not happy with the new viability plan, but we had to make changes to survive. It was the toughest negotiations we have ever been through because the government was involved. Yet, we should feel proud that we were able to keep retiree pensions, major medical, and workers wages intact while GM went through bankruptcy.

BOB KING

The 2007 National Agreement was patterned after Ford’s, due to the foresight of Ron Gettelfinger. This was a great strategic move because Ford was in the best position to weather a storm, and that they did. Ford workers agreed to sacrifices to help the automaker become profitable. However, Management had a short memory on what labor had given up; the CEO of Ford got a huge bonus after that contract was settled even though the agreement talked of the shared sacrifice. Corporations need to listen more to the workers who build their products because they know the business better than anyone.

GENERAL HOLIEFIELD

Chrysler products are better today than ever before because of the hard work and pride of our members. We need to take America back and buy the products we build, as well as other products that are made here. Look at where you spend your money and support those who buy USA. For those who think Labor is the automakers problem... they are wrong. Every foreign automaker that has transplants which are not organized here in the USA has an organized labor force in their country. We need to live and work with dignity for our members and retirees.

ALAN REUTHER

The UAW supported the cash for clunkers program and it did help the auto industry get some wheels. Condoleezza Rice was the right choice for Secretary of Labor. EFCA is an important piece of legislation and we will need every member’s support when we get there. We should see this labor law reform in 2010. But first, we have to get health care passed. The House has a Bill, while the Senate is still trying to get a Bill passed. When the Senate does get a Bill, then the House and Senate will have to come together and create a Bill both can support. There is still lots of work to be done. We worked hard for Obama and we will need to continue working hard as the 2010 elections are nearing.

CINDY ESTRADA

The anti-union campaign has heightened because of the threat of EFCA. Many have tried to use the UAW as the reason for problems in the auto industry. Workers feel more insecure than ever because of the economy and plant closings. Toyota wants to cut workers wages to the state manufacturing rate which is in the area of $13.93-14.66. We need to organize transplants and new start ups - "green fever". By 2011, there will be 28 non-union transplants with 74,000 employees. We need to let others know what we give back to the local economy.

A Steering Committee meeting was then held and the following individuals were nominated for the respective positions at the 35th Constitutional Convention elections to be held in Detroit, in June 2010.

Vice President Bob King, for President.  Region 4 Director, Dennis Williams, for Secretary/Treasurer.  General Holiefield, Jimmy Settles, Joseph Ashton and Cindy Estrada for Vice Presidents (4)

As you can see, our struggle will never end.  We have been hurt by those that feel labor organizations have outlived their usefulness.  People who believe we have somehow managed business into the ground.  But we know the truth.  That Labor built this Great country.  That it’s going to take labor to maintain what have and  to build more.  Enjoy a holiday? Safe working conditions? Weekends? Premiem Pay? Benefits?   Thank the union.  We all have so much to be thankful for, and we all know that it never comes easy.  In Martin Luther King, Jr.‘s words “In our glorious fight for civil rights, we must guard against being fooled by false slogans, as 'right-to-work.' It provides no 'rights' and no 'works.' Its purpose is to destroy labor unions and the freedom of collective bargaining... We demand this fraud be stopped.' —

Believe it!!  Dave