President's Report - July 2023
UAW LOCAL 276 PRESIDENT’S REPORT
JULY 2023
UNIT 1 (GM) NEGOTIATIONS KICKED OFF JULY 17, 2023:
Unit 1 (GM) Chairperson Kenny Hines is a Top Negotiator this year We must stand with him as he represents UAW Local 276 at the bargaining table.
INTERNATIONAL UAW WORKSHOP:
We will have a UAW International Representative at our Union Hall on Sunday, July 30, 2023, at 2:00 PM to present a workshop on building member power! Please try to attend if you can.
“STRIKE PREPARATION MODE”:
The coming months may prove challenging for our members. We all need to make sure to get our finances in order. There is a “Money Management” workbook available on both our website and app if you need any tips. Please update your contact information (mailing address and telephone number) by either calling the Union Hall at (972) 647-1282 or visiting us at 2505 W. E. Roberts Street, Grand Prairie, TX 75051. You should also check your paystub to make sure dues are coming out and check with the Financial Secretary to ensure you are in good standing with the Local and International prior to a potential strike or you cannot receive any strike benefits.
PENDING STRIKE VOTE:
We will schedule a strike vote after receiving International Union direction. If we vote yes on the strike vote it does not mean we will definitely go on strike, only that we authorize the International to strike if negotiations fail.
E-BOARD STANDING COMMITTEE CHAIR & CO-CHAIR RECOMMENDATIONS:
Citizenship and Legislative CommitteeChairperson – Pauline MimsCo-Chairperson – Maileen Williams
Civil and Human Rights Committee
Chairperson – Marquetta Hawkins
Co-Chairperson – Lawrence Brown
Community Services Committee
Chairperson – Elonda Clark
Co-Chairperson – Apria Wilson
Conservation and Recreation Committee
Chairperson – Demohn Stanley
Co-Chairperson – Yolanda Thompson
Constitution and Bylaws Committee
Chairperson – Martin Walker
Co-Chairperson – Tony Dixon
Consumer Affairs Committee
Chairperson – Benjamine Sayles, Jr.
Co-Chairperson – LaShondar Price
Education Committee
Chairperson – Jimmy Mack
Co-Chairperson – Victoria Binion
Organizing Committee
Chairperson – Corey Mims
Co-Chairperson – Deantonio Swanson
Union Label Committee
Chairperson – Dawn Day
Co-Chairperson – Shanell Simmons
Veterans’ Committee
Chairperson – Sheila Collins
Co-Chairperson – DeShaun Spencer
Women’s Committee
Chairperson – Renaye Simmons
Co-Chairperson – Shaconda Warren
BOOKKEEPER RETIREMENT:
Our Bookkeeper of the last couple of years, Cynthia, is retiring. While we are sad to see her go, we are happy to wish her a wonderful retirement and are excited to welcome her replacement, Sarah.
ELECTION COMMITTEE NOMINATIONS:
We are sorting through the nominations for Election Committee members. Until this process is complete, the current Election Committee will remain in place until the new election Chairperson and Co-Chairperson are sworn in.
2022 V-CAP REWARDS:
The UAW Local 276 CAP Committee is hard at work distributing V-CAP rewards. If you believe you are owed rewards, please see CAP Committee Chairperson Pauline Mims. Be prepared to show your pay stub from December 2022, that includes your CAP contributions for the year. If you have any further questions, please call the Union Hall at (972) 647-1282 or text Pauline at (682) 970-5803.
HAWAIIAN FALLS DAY:
The UAW Local 276 Conservation & Recreation Committee will be hosting a day at Hawaiian Falls in Mansfield on Sunday, August 6, 2023! Tickets are $15.00 per member (and per child) and lunch will be provided. Tickets must be purchased from the Chairperson Demohn Stanley or Co-Chairperson Yolanda Thompson of the Committee by Wednesday, August 9, 2023.
UNIT 2 (CARAVAN) TOP NEGOTIATOR & UPDATES:
Caravan will have an election for Top Negotiator soon. The election will be from 5:00 AM Tuesday, August 1, 2023, until 5:00 AM Wednesday, August 2, 2023, in the General Motors cafeteria. Four to six (4-6) members were also brought back from terminations recently!
2022 UAW CONSTITUTION CORRECTION (letter from President Shawn Fain):
At the 38th Constitutional Convention, on July 27, 2022, delegates voted to adopt Submitted Resolution #0373. The discussion and debate on the floor of the Convention pertaining to this Resolution focused on moving up the accrual of strike pay from day eight of a strike to day one of a strike. The last sentence of Resolution #0373 provided, “Weekly benefits will amount to at least $400 per striking UAW member.” (emphasis added).
Following delegates’ adoption of Resolution #0373, International Union staff updated the Constitution to add a new Article 50, Section 10 setting forth the language from this Resolution. In updating the Constitution, housekeeping changes were made to format the language of the Resolution into constitutional language, but there was absolutely no intent, or effort, to change the substance or meaning of the Resolution adopted by the delegates. Unfortunately, however, the words “at least” were inadvertently and mistakenly omitted from the last sentence of Article 50, Section 10. This mistake has, unfortunately, caused questions about the International Executive Board’s ability to increase strike assistance above $400, as it did earlier this year.
To clarify, consistent with Resolution #0373 adopted by delegates to the 38th Constitutional Convention, the last sentence of Article 50, Section 10, should read as follows: “Weekly benefits shall be at least $400 (four hundred dollars) per week, per striking member.” Subsequent printings of the 2022 Constitution will reflect this corrected language.
KEITH CROWELL
PRESIDENT
UAW LOCAL 276
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