UNIT 1 (GM) SHOP CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT
OCTOBER 2023
KENNETH D. HINES, UNIT 1 (GM) SHOP CHAIRPERSON

NATIONAL NEGOTIATIONS

It is my honor to give this bargaining update on the 2023 UAW/GM National Agreement.  We are making history as the popularity of Unionism has never been higher and we will ride that wave and negotiate an Agreement that will secure our future and will hopefully make us all proud.

I know that we are dealing with a lot of uncertainty as many UAW members have answered the call and are currently walking the picket line.  The whole process has been handled differently in this set of negotiations, as the members get to see firsthand what the Company really thinks about our members and their contribution to the corporation.  The Company only sees us as a number and not as an integral part of the organization that brings something to the table every day and which makes us all successful.

The UAW Top Bargaining Committee and I are committed to making sure that we come away with the best Agreement possible for all the members nationwide.  We are committed that this will be a “NON-CONCESSIONARY AGREEMENT” in all aspects.  We would like to extend our support with appreciation to those facilities that were asked to strike and have answered the call.  We would also like to thank all the other facilities for being on standby waiting their turn.

Our members are showing support in many ways and we appreciate that.  It means a lot to the UAW Top Bargaining Committee and the International Staff as we go through this process.  Let us respect each of our members and not let Management pull us apart!  The most dangerous thing to Management is that we all stick together and show solidarity.

Make no mistake about it, this will be the most expensive Agreement in General Motors’ history and our members deserve it.  Please keep us in your prayers as we continue this journey to secure the needed items, not only for what we desire but what we are due.

LETTING SOMEONE INTO THE PLANT – PIGGYBACKING

Access to the facility has become a topic of discussion nationally due to some of the violent incidents that have occurred at other facilities.  Letting someone else access the plant off your ring is a violation of Shop Rule #4.  Please do not allow anyone to piggyback or access the plant with your badge.  We're having a lot of these cases that we are defending in Labor Relations; the penalty is from two weeks DLO to discharge so please do not put yourself or your job in a bad situation just from being kind and trying to let somebody else enter the facility.

SOLIDARITY WEDNESDAY

We would like to thank all members who are participating and wearing their Red Shirt on Wednesdays.  This shows a form of SOLIDARITY and is an important statement to the membership as well as Management.

FLU SHOTS

Flu shots will be available in plant medical on a first come first serve basis beginning October 23, 2023, from 4:00 AM - 4:00 PM.

GRIEVANCE COUNT

• Grievances at Step #1 – 518
• Grievances at Step #2 – 98
• Grievances at Step #3 – 35
• Grievances at Step #4 – 0
• 183 Grievances – 2
• Health & Safety – 18