UAW Local 598 White Shirt Day

EYE
OPENER
“A Local Union
with a Heart”
www.uawlocal598.org
Volume 31 – Issue 1
Inside
this Issue:
Page 2
President’s Report
Page 3
Page 4
Page 8
Retiree Chair’s Report
Congratulations
to GM Shop
Chairman Dana
Rouse on his
move to the International Union,
where he will be working under VP
Joe Ashton in the GM Department.
Membership
Meeting
FEBRUARY 19, 2012
2:00 P.M.
UAW PROPERTY – ILLEGAL TO DUPLICATE
R
A
Financial Sec’y and
Recording Secy’s Report
YE
Vice-President and
Shop Chair’s Reports
S
W
(USPS 110770)
598
January 2012
The Sitdown strike that
ended on February 11, 1937
brought not only recognition
of the UAW and our first
contract with GM, but the
birth of the middle class in
the entire country. In the 75
years that have followed,
UAW members have fought
for not only better contracts,
but better lives.
hite Shirt Day was first celebrated on
February 11, 1948, based on a suggestion
from Local 598 Education Committee
member Bert Christenson. He wanted a way to honor
the men and women who participated in the 1937
Sitdown strike, which gained the UAW recognition
as the sole bargaining agent for GM workers. White
shirts are worn to work on the anniversary of the
end of the strike. This action was intended to send a
message to management that "blue collar" workers
had earned the right to the same respect as their
management counterparts. On Saturday, February
11, 2012, members of Local 598 will again show their
pride and solidarity by wearing white shirts to work.
Although originally a celebration of GM workers,
the birth of
the UAW has
improved
all workers'
lives. We
encourage
all Local 598
members to
celebrate this
important
UAW
anniversary.
The city-wide celebration will be held on Friday,
February 10th at Local 651 (on Robert T. Longway
Blvd.) beginning at 10:00 a.m. Everyone is invited to
attend. This will also be the day they hold the V-CAP
drawing for our very own Local 598-built truck and
the additional cash prizes. Everyone who is signed
up for payroll deduction of V-CAP will automatically
be entered into the drawing.
UAW Local 598 White Shirt Day
Active workers “White Shirt Day” will be Saturday, February 11, 2012
...Everyone remember to wear your white shirts.
Retiree Chapter will be celebrating
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at their chapter
meeting. Region1-C will hold the city-wide
celebration on Friday, February 10th at Local
651 (on Robert T. Longway Blvd.) beginning
at 10:00 a.m. Everyone is invited to attend.
The traditions of the original White Shirt
Day are as follows:
1) Everyone must wear a white shirt or
blouse
2) Your white shirt must not get dirtier
than your boss's shirt
3) Safety & work rules must be followed
2
UAW Local 598 – A Local Union with a Heart
UAW LOCAL 598
G-3293 Van Slyke Road, Flint, MI 48507 • (810) 238-4605
www.uawlocal598.org
Ray Gorney............................... President
Ryan Buchalski.................VICE-President
Judy Mosier.......... Recording Secretary
Rick Beardslee........Financial Secretary
James Gregory........... Sergeant-at-Arms
Corey Wilborn................................. GUIDE
Curtis Freeman.............................Trustee
Jim Hatfield..................................TRUSTEE
Becky Haughey............................TRUSTEE
Don Clark............. Retiree chapter chair
Chairman, Shop Committee
Dana Rouse
Shop Committeeman-at-Large
Barry Campbell, Chris Webb
Shop Committee (district)
Scott Crosby, Larry Rodgers,
Mike Standley
District Committeebody / Alternates
Mike Standley
/
Gerald Scott
Don Cobb
/
John Jackson III
Bob Szecsodi
/
Randy Moore
Brent Lough
/
Donnie Perillo
Tony Mann
/
Sean Meachum
Jon Swango
/
Leroy Shinabarger
Larry Rogers
/
Rex Ferguson
Chad Fabbro
/
Michael Kocsis
Scott Crosby
/
Rick Hager
ARAMARK Bargaining Committee
District Committee / Alternate
Frank Yearby
/
Glen Shimmel
Dan Hipkins
PRESIDENT’S
REPORT
Avi Representative
Marilyn Dingo
ADAPT Representative
Jerry Regan
Civil Rights committee
Rosalyn Morse
Quality network representation
Ralph Lupu
Local 598 Benefit Reps.
Fred Wright, Cindy Baxter-Phillips,
Chris Dungerow, Dave Medrano
HEALTH & SAFETY REPRESENTATIVEs
Mike Robinson, Tony Robinson,
Tony Robinson, Jr.
jOINT Activities REPRESENTATIVE
Bob Hooks
jOINT Training REPRESENTATIVE
Angelo Hill
Work & Family Representative
Bob McKamie, Jayne Atwell,
Leonard Neely
598 Apprentice Coordinator
John Crawford
598 CAP Chairperson
Jim Hatfield
Education/Publicity Committee
Debi Kirchner, Tajuana Elam, Tammy Volz,
Bill Wineland, Traci Wheaton
POLICY OF THE EYE OPENER
To Our Readers: This paper is the voice of our Local and
International Union. This is our only vehicle for bringing to you, on a
regular basis, the views and actions of the leaders you elected, so you
can evaluate them. Through the paper we explain Union policies and
show how your dues are spent.
The paper is also the voice of the members. We welcome articles
from UAW members and stories about members. While we welcome
your contributions, we ask that they be constructive. At no time will the
editorial staff tolerate any defamatory remarks regarding any person
or persons. We reserve the right to reply to those that seem to reflect a
misunderstanding of the Union and its policies and to edit any article
for clarity and length. Opinions reflected in signed articles in the Eye
Opener do not necessarily represent the position or opinions of Local
598. Published monthly by UAW Local 598, G-3293 Van Slyke Road,
Flint, MI 48507. Phone: 238-4605.
Postmaster: All Form 3579’s for the THE EYE OPENER, are to be
forwarded to THE EYE OPENER, UAW Local 598, G-3293 Van Slyke Rd.,
Flint, MI 48507. Periodicals Postage Paid at Flint, Michigan.
Annual Subscription $1.70 For Members Only; Retirees $1.00
Chowning, Edgar & Wagner, P.C.
NO FEE
GUARANTEE
No fee incurred if your
case is not won, or settled.
By Ray Gorney
Happy New Year!
2012…hard to believe
I
hope everyone had a great
Christmas and were able to
enjoy the Holiday break and
spend time with their families.
We have many positive things
ahead, like the Next Generation
Pickup. As you were informed at
the last membership meeting, we
will be bringing in Entry-Level
Employees.
I am always so impressed and
proud of our membership when
it comes to “giving back” to those
less fortunate – Holiday Food Baskets, Old Newsboys, United Way,
Red Cross. With your help of time
and donations, we continue to do
so much good, year after year!
As we go forward, I’d like you to
think about our political climate.
We are in a fight for our very own
middle-class existence. Our members are always there for someone
else, but we have to remember to
look out for ourselves and those
who follow us.
Things have already gotten out
of hand. Look around us. With
little or no job opportunities for
our young people, it’s no surprise
that crime is out of control. Don’t
get me wrong, I don’t condone it,
but I do understand that desperate
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people do
desperate things.
We’ve already made some
strides with your help. We were
able to get anti-labor Republican
Paul Scott recalled, but that is only
half of the battle! We have got to
get the vote out in the 51st District
or all our hard work has gone for
naught.
It’s a travesty that our retirees,
who are on fixed incomes, are now
having their pensions taxed! This
while the Republicans continue to
cater to the rich. We’ve got to get
together to stop the Republican’s
ridiculous assumption... ”If you
give the rich tax breaks, jobs will
trickle down.” Give me a break!
If those jobs even exist, they are
low-paying jobs with no benefits
at best. Minimum wage jobs will
keep us financially hobbled. While
the rich continue to make record
profits, you and I know the question is how will the next generation ever hope to raise a family; let
alone buy a house, car or truck?
Don’t forget one of the most
important dates for us – White
Shirt Day. Hope to see you at the
regular Membership meeting on
February 19th.
For the latest information from the
UAW, check out the newly designed
www.uawregion1c.org today.
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January 2012
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January 2012
3
UAW Local 598 – A Local Union with a Heart
VICE-PRESIDENT’S
REPORT
SHOP COMMITTEE
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
By Ryan Buchalski
Reflecting on 2011
L
ike many of you, I spent New
Year’s Eve with my family and close friends. As the
seconds ticked away and the final
moments of 2011 were fading, I
reflected upon what a great year
my family had. I became your Vice
President, my daughter began preschool, my son took his first steps
and my wife managed to keep up
with our crazy life.
Looking back at all of this fills
me with a sense of pride. I feel
the same pride when I look back
at our year here at Local 598, and
so should you. What we have
managed to accomplish is worthy
of recognition. We raised over
$60,000 in direct contributions.
This amount does not include our
United Way dollars, which last
year was an additional $90,000 in
donations. Your generosity has not
only inspired, but set a precedent
for this community.
In addition to your dollars,
you also gave your blood and
your bone marrow. You always
seem to impress organizations
like the American Red Cross and
the National Bone Marrow Registry. We were able to add over
208 possible marrow donors last
year. You helped Big Brothers, Big
Sisters, March of Dimes, Boys and
Girls Clubs, Food Bank of Eastern
Michigan, Relay for Life (American
Cancer Society) and UNCF. You
walked downtown for the Making
Strides Against Breast Cancer, and
gave immensely to Toys for Tots
and Old Newsboys.
There were so many organizations that needed help. When they
looked to Local 598, they knew
they could depend on us and DO
depend on us.
We also lost members last year
The Best Membership
in the plant
unexpectedly, and you gave their families
nearly $14,000. Whatever it may be
and whenever it is needed, Local
598’s membership always shows
their support. We raised $60,839.84
in the plant last year alone, and
let’s not forget our fair share givers
who give weekly to the United
Way. Those totals have reached
near the $70-$90,000 range.
Also, Local 598 had the largest
increase in V-CAP contributions
for which we received an award at
the CAP Conference. Looking back
at the tremendous dedication and
hard work this membership puts
forth, I know for a fact Local 598
will show the same in 2012.
We will be honoring our SitDowners by wearing our white
shirts on February 11th, and we
will have the traditional bean soup
and apples for lunch that is being
provided by Genesee Vending.
I am pleased that Scott Bright of
Genesee Vending is getting the
apples locally from Kohn’s Orchard. So please, wear your white
shirt that day to honor our history.
Our first fundraising event this
year outside the plant will be for
the March of Dimes. We will be
“Bowling for Babies” on Saturday, March 17th at Galaxy Lanes.
Check in is at 12:30 p.m. and we
begin to bowl at 1:00 p.m. The cost
is $80.00 per team (4 person teams)
and the event is open to everyone.
There will be more information
coming out soon. Contact me with
any questions about the event at
the Union Hall at 810-238-4605,
ext. 15.
I look forward to serving this
membership this year and thank
you again for ALL that you do.
General Motors Call-In System
1.Dial 1-800-222-8889
Press 1 - late
Press 2 - sick
2.Enter your 9-digit GMIN
Press 3 - sickness/accident in family
number (you cannot enter
Press 4 - car trouble
your Social Security number) Press 5 - injured
3.Choose an absence reason Press 6 - death in family
Press 7 - personal time off
from the following list:
By Dana Rouse
4.Enter pound sign (#) if correct or
asterisk (*) if wrong.
5.Record your call-in sequence number
6.Stay on the line until you hear that
your call has been successfully
completed and recorded in GMTKS.
A
s most of you know by now,
this will be my last article
as Chairman of the Shop
Committee. I have accepted an
assignment working for UAW V.P.
Joe Ashton with the truck group.
I cannot begin to thank everyone
for the well wishes and support
as I move to this next phase of my
working life.
We have been getting a lot of
calls about the possibility of some
of our temps becoming permanent. We signed a request for 90
temps to be made permanent, BUT
that will only happen after all of
the people who have contractual
rights to the plant have had an
opportunity to transfer here. When
that has happened, the permanent
jobs will be offered to our temps
who have been here the longest
first. Keep in mind that temporary
employees acquire no seniority,
but we made a promise to them
that when the opportunity came
up, this is the way we would do it,
and we are keeping that promise.
We have been able to transfer
some of our production workers
who held
journeyman
cards to trades and expect that
with the number of workers who
took advantage of the SAP nationwide, that there will be openings
throughout the country. If you are
offered a job at another location,
make sure that you know all of the
contractual implications before you
make your decision.
As you are filling out your vacation applications, remember that
even though we are not having a
traditional July shutdown period
this year, 2 weeks of downtime will
be designated as our “shutdown
period” and vacation time will
have to be used for these weeks.
We will have those dates for you
in the next few weeks, so you can
make plans.
Don’t forget to wear your white
shirts with pride on February 11th.
As always, if you want to know
what is going on, make sure to attend your monthly union meetings.
The next meeting will be February
19th at 2:00 p.m. This is your union,
take the time to be involved.
SCHEDULE for ATTORNEYS at the HALL
Tuesday.................2:00-3:30.....MacDonald, Fitzgerald & MacDonald
Wednesday...........1:00-3:00.....Davidson, Breen & Doud
Thursday...............1:00-3:00.....Vigiletti, Chowning, Edgar & Wagner
Now on Fridays.....9:30-1:00.....Neil Wilensky
Local 598 UAW
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4
UAW Local 598 – A Local Union with a Heart
FINANCIAL SECRETARYTREASURER’S REPORT
RECORDING SECRETARY
REPORT
By Rick Beardslee
By Judy Mosier
A New Year Ahead for Local 598
W
ell, the weather outside
has not shown it much
lately, but it is January
and the start of another year. With
that, let me wish you all a Happy
New Year with goodwill and prosperity throughout all of 2012.
January is the start of some busy
months in preparation for closing
the books on the 2011 fiscal year,
and with tax forms and documents
required by the Department of Labor, IRS, State of Michigan, City of
Flint, International Union, Regional Office and our own end-of-year
Trustee Audit, we have a ton of paper work to complete and file with
the proper department to keep us
in compliance with all federal and
state tax laws. I plan to report out
at next month’s membership meeting the financial bottom line gain/
loss from June through December
2011.
Also, we are moving forward
with plans to bring back our Local 598 golf outing, a four-person
scramble with teams made up of
men, ladies, or co-ed. A final date
has not been decided as of yet,
January 2012
but late
summer/
early fall is where we are currently
leaning. We will have all the dates
and sign-up information finalized
by the end of May with flyers in
the plant and sign-up forms in the
May Eye Opener. So, get your fourperson team rounded up with a
captain and be among the first 36
teams to sign up with the entry fee
paid here at the Union Hall, and
get ready for a great time in our
2012 Local 598 golf scramble.
No doubt, we have all heard this
week that our Shop Chairman,
Dana Rouse, is taking on a new
position with the International
Union in Detroit. I want to wish
Dana the best on his new venture
going forward and thank him for
all he has done for this great Local and its membership. Through
his bargaining with management
on behalf of our members, Flint
Truck Assembly is still going strong
building world-class trucks!
Thank you, Brother Rouse, for
all you have done.
Always for the membership.
You can now read your Eye Opener On-line at
www.uawlocal598.org. If you would prefer to have your
paper delivered in your e-mail box in place of your mailbox, just
let us know at paper@uawlocal598.org. Each time a new edition
is posted on-line, we will send you an e-mail notification.
Thank you, The Eye Opener Staff
We Cannot Continue To
Ignore The Breakdown
O
kay, so let me get this
straight, it’s the 12th year of
the 3rd millennium and of
the 21st century 2012, 2012, 2012.
Maybe if I write it enough or say
it enough, I will quit dating documents 2011. I know it’s difficult to
let go of the past, but 2011 is over.
Welcome year 2012, and a leap
year at that! So it’s going to be a
long year, at least one day longer.
Why is it called leap year? Actually
the astronomical year (the time that
it takes the earth to go around the
sun) is approximately 365.25 days.
So, a day is added to February every
four years to make up this time.
“In ordinary years” for example,
a day of the month which falls
on a Monday this year, would fall
on a Tuesday the next year, and
Wednesday the year after. But in
the fourth year, it will leap over
Thursday to Friday. This is where
we get the term “Leap Year,” the
year we leap over a day.
As busy as the days are, it seems
we can always use an extra one.
This year is no exception with the
Presidential Election, OWS Movement and then there’s the Solar
Flare Scare and more. There are
many vitally important events and
issues for all of us to spend extra
time educating and involving ourselves with. We dare not sit idly by
and let events just unfold, but we
must take action in order to secure
and get back our American Dream.
Years ago, my brother warned
me about this place in time we
have
reached, a time where our younger
generation is not better off than
their parents, nor will they be any
time soon. It is a time when a college degree does not guarantee a
graduate a job, and when there are
no jobs to apply for.
Once upon a time, America had
something for everybody – blue collar jobs for high school graduates,
white collar executive jobs for college
graduates and an opportunity for
advancement for those who applied
themselves. Even with a unionized
labor force, corporations still made
profits because the working American
public was their biggest customer.
But then corporate greed took
over. They decided that they could
maximize their profits by eliminating overhead (American workers)
and moved overseas. The corporate execs that pulled the plug on
U.S. jobs were rewarded handsomely for it. Executives got richer
(the 1% that the OWS are after).
Now for so many, it is as a fairy
tale. But fairy tales end with happily ever after. We write the pages
of history. Our actions being the
ink of our future. It is up to us!
We cannot continue to ignore
the breakdown of our economic
and public infrastructures. We
must educate ourselves and others
to make correct voter choices as
this election year develops.
What will be written in the future of our American Dream story
– a reality or just a fairy tale?
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January 2012
EDUCATION
By Debi Kirchner, Education Committee
UPDATE In Memoriam
The $10 Million Election
I
f you live in the 51st State
House district, you are part of
history. The successful recall of
Representative Paul Scott was the
first time a Michigan lawmaker had
been recalled in 28 years. It was
a great combined effort to send a
message that we were not going to
allow our elected representatives to
misrepresent themselves and vote
against our best interests.
But, our job is only half done. To
complete the message and begin
taking back our government, we
must show up at the polls on February 28th.
The Republican Party was smart.
When they saw that they would
likely lose the recall election, they
knew they had an ace in the hole
– any new election would be held
on the same day as the Michigan
Republican presidential primary
and they are gambling that many
people who showed up for the recall will not show up in the middle
of winter for the new election.
And by the way, the Republican
presidential primary will cost the
hard-earning taxpayers of Michigan $10 million! Unlike the Democratic Party, who chose to hold a
presidential caucus at no cost to
you and I. Pretty nifty, huh?
Back to the subject at hand.
UAW Region 1C has endorsed
candidate Steve Losey in this race.
Steve is a school teacher, president
of his local union, and an elected
member of the Linden School
board. He is definitely the underdog in this race, but we can win
– if we show up. If you have any
doubts whatsoever that you will
not be able to make it to the polls
on February 28th, by all means apply for an absentee ballot. We have
applications available in the work
center and at the “popcorn” table.
Volunteers have agreed to even deliver the application to your city or
township hall. Your ballot will then
be mailed to you and all that remains is that you mark your choice
and mail /or drop off the ballot to
your clerk. It just doesn’t get any
easier…or more important.
Many union members have
forgotten, or have not learned, how
life was for the average working
person before there were no unions.
Many take for granted the benefits
that our ancestors fought for.
In the U.S. today, only 50% of us
vote in presidential elections, and
only 30% in off-year elections. Many
of us who do vote do so for the
wrong reasons, such as which candidate is prettier, or wittier, or who
stands what way on a relatively unimportant single issue, or some of us
vote based on the candidate’s color,
sex, national origin, or what part of
the country she/he comes from.
We need to wake up and get
serious. Our lives and our livelihoods are at stake here. The rich
and powerful are actively trying to
take away our rights. To everyone
living in the 51st district, join with
me and vote on February 28th, in
person, or by absentee ballot – and
vote Steve Losey, Democrat, 51st
District Representative. For more
information on Steve Losey: www.
loseyforstaterep.com
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The Officers, Representatives and members of Local 598
extend their deepest sympathy to the families of our
recently deceased members.
Robert Williamson – Retired
Walter Walker Jr. – Retired
Gail L. Bellinger – Retired
Anthony P. Zanotti – Retired
Clarence McIntosh Jr. – Retired
Arvel Godwin – Retired
George E. Nunley – Retired
Harry Wiederhold – Retired
Shirley V. Sutliff – Retired
Ishmael W. Turner – Retired
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No-Obligation Consultation
Serving Union employees for over 30 years
Change the way you look.TM
$
5
UAW Local 598 – A Local Union with a Heart
Change
your look.
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Davidson, Breen & Doud, P.C.
Attorneys & Counselors
FLINT, MI
PH 810 239-5700
FAX 810 239-2669
1 888 333-1363
sAgINAW, MI
PH 989 752-9595
PONTIAC, MI
PH 248 322-4022
FAX 248 322-4426
1 888 333-1363
grAND rAPIDs, MI
PH 616 363-6802
LANsINg, MI
PH 517 323-1615
FAX 517 323-2316
1 888 333-1363
PeTOskey, MI
PH 888 444-4744
6
UAW Local 598 – A Local Union with a Heart
(810)
230-1144 LOCAL 598 CLASSIFIED ADS
HAS IT ALL!
Better Hearing For Less
A
udibel ®
HBESTPRICE (go ahead, check us out)
TM
Virtue
H BESTPRODUCT
voted
H BESTSELECTION (all models available –
Best-in-Class
open fit, smallest completely-in-canal)
H EXPERIENCE&SERvICE (27 years, thousands of UAW fittings)
H FREEBATTERIESFORLIFE (that’s right!)
H WALK-INSALWAYSWELCOMED
PUTTING
IT OFF!
G-4242 Miller Rd.
Flint, MI 48507
(Across from Abc Warehouse)
A udibel
®
is AmericAn-owned, AmericAn-mAde,
owned and operated in FLINT by miKe ALeXAnder
(Board certified) trusted by the UAW for 27 years.
When affordability is an issue,
we invite you to compare.
Special offer for
UAW Members
Full Service
Funeral
3,79500
$
• Basicserviceoffuneraldirectors
andstaff
• Embalming
• Fourhoursofvisitation
• Otherpreparationofremains
• Useoffacilities,staffandequipment
• Transferofremainstofuneralhome
• Casketcoach(hearse)
• Memorialregisterbook
• Memorialfoldersorprayercards
• Acknowledgementcards
•20gaugemetalcasket
orcremationcasket
Plansdonotinclude:Burialvault;Cashadvanceitemsincluding:salestax,cemeterycharges,clergy
honorarium,newspapernotices,deathcertificates,policeescort,hairdresser,flowers,orlimousine.
PlansonlyavailableattheSharpFuneralHome&CremationCenter.
Special offer for
UAW Members
cremation
Service
1,19500
$
• Localremoval
• Careofremains
• Basicservicesofstaff
• Authorizations
• Transportationtocrematory
Plansdonotinclude:Urnvault;Cash
advanceitemsincluding:salestax,
cemeterycharges,clergyhonorarium,
newspapernotices,deathcertificates,police
escort,hairdresser,flowers,orlimousine.
Afeeforembalmingwillapplyifcremation
cannottakeplacewithin48hours,as
requiredbystatelaw.
PlansonlyavailableattheSharpFuneral
Home&CremationCenter.
Other convenient locations:
FenTOn ChapeL
810-629-9321
Linden ChapeL
6063 Fenton Road, Flint, MI 48507
Jennifer Sharp Scully, Manager
810-694-4900
January 2012
810-735-7833
MiLLeR ROad ChapeL
810-635-4411
www.sharpfuneralhomes.com
Attention:
Due to the increased number of want ads/services we are receiving, ads must
be submitted monthly and will be run on a first-come, first-serve basis. We will
be limited to ads/services submitted in a Local 598 member’s name only. Thank you for your cooperation.
F O R
S A L E
S E R V I C E S
TWO GRAVE LOTS at Crestwood Memorial in Grand Blanc, MI for the price
of one. $500.00 each or $1,000.00
for both. I’ll pay the transfer fee. Call
810-265-6944.
* * * * *
WATERFRONT LOT WITH 2 ACRES:
200 feet on water and 200 feet on
road, possible land contract terms. Call
George at 810-908-8483.
* * * * *
Briny Breezes, FL. Located in Boynton Beach, between Atlantic Ocean and
Intracoastal. Community pool, cable
TV, woodworking shop, shuffleboard
court, 800’ of perfect private beach on
Atlantic Ocean with clubhouse. 14’x
50’ mobile home on Intracoastal canal,
freshly painted and updated. Existing
deck, dock for boat. Estate sale, sold
with all furnishings,$198,000. Visit
http://briny-breezes-fl.com/, or call
Rick or Craig at 810-750-6011.
S E R V I C E S
CLASSIC PORTRAITS: senior portraits, weddings, family portraits,
special events, models, groups and
digital designs. For appointments, call
810-238-7938.
* * * * *
GENESEE VALLEY SPORTS CENTER
is giving back to GM employees and
retirees. Receive a 20% discount on a
fitness membership when you show
your GM ID or retiree card (for new
members only). At the GVSC, we offer
tennis, fitness, basketball and a pool.
For more information, please contact
Latina at 810-280-7868.
* * * * *
HARDWOOD FLOORS: sanded,
refinished, including Parquet floors,
quality work, 25 years’ experience.
Free estimates. Call 810-813-1442.
SKIN-TIGHT FENCE: residential
chain link fence, over 30 years’
experience, install and repair, free
estimates. Call 810-845-7211.
* * * * *
TWA CONSTRUCTION: & fence of all
material, selling firewood by cord or
bulk seasoned. Call 810-691-4454.
* * * * *
DJ SERVICE: will cater to your special
event, all types of music. UAW discount available! Call Rod Carpenter
at 517-402-6911.
FOR
RENT
CABIN ON HOUGHTON LAKE:
Pontoon also available. Full laundry,
sleeps eight, cable, grill, dock, fire pit
and basketball. Call 810-516-1020.
* * * * *
DUPLEX WITH GARAGE: Clean,
cozy 1 bedroom, paid utilities, appliances included, near GM colleges,
X-ways, and bus route. Available 2nd
week of January 2012. Call 810-3971433 for appointment.
T H A N K Y O U
With warm thanks and best wishes
for a bright and happy new year.
Thank you so much for the beautiful flower arrangement! It was very
thoughtful and much appreciated.
Sincerely, Irene Marky
(Patty Schultz-daughter)
* * * * *
Thank you for your kindness and
sympathy at a time when it was deeply
appreciated. Thank you for the help
with the information and the flowers
were gorgeous. Thank you so much.
With much appreciation,
Robert Williamson family
Lear Seating
Reunion Announcement
Reunion announcement for all active and retired GM hourly employees who worked at Lear Seating Corp. in Rochester Hills anytime
from 1995 to 2009. Reunion is on April 30th, 2012 in Auburn Hills
at the Great Lakes Outlet Food Court at 11:00 a.m.
EYE OPENER DEADLINE
For next issue:
Just a reminder that any ads or articles
must be submitted by monday,
FEBRUARY 6, 2012 for consideration.
January 2012
UAW Local 598 – A Local Union with a Heart
7
8
UAW Local 598 – A Local Union with a Heart
Retiree Report
by Don Clark, Retiree Chairperson
White Shirt Day is upon us
T
he Regional White Shirt Day
Celebration will be held at
Local 651 on Robert T. Longway, between Averill and Center
Road, starting at 10:00 a.m. Wear
your white shirt to honor those
who gave so much to ensure a better life for those who followed.
Our Local 598 White Shirt Day
will be celebrated at our regular
Chapter Meeting on February 9th.
We will be having an election
March 8th, 2012 that is very important for our Local and our Region.
We will be electing delegates to
represent us on the Region l-C
Retired Workers Council and delegates to represent us on the Flint
Area-Wide Retiree Council.
Delegates will need to be able
to day-travel at times to Lansing,
Jackson, Adrian and elsewhere
in the Region to attend meetings.
They will also need to participate
in rallies which are scheduled by
our Region or
by our Local.
Details of the sign-up and election
are located at right.
Our Spring Excursion will be in
April. At this time, we believe the
trip will be like the Spring Trip last
year. We will go to Leelanau Sands
Casino, spend the night at Turtle
Creek and stop at Soaring Eagle on
the way home.
The details have not been finalized with the bus company, but
we will announce the dates and
schedule as soon as possible. It is
important that once we have the
details, you sign up early so we will
know how many busses to order.
Double occupancy is a must and
payment is required at the time of
sign up.
“In the end, it’s not the years in
your life that count. It’s the life in
your years.”
– Abraham Lincoln
POTLIGHT
S
LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU!
January 2012
RETIREE CHAPTER
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9th – Chapter Meeting, White Shirt Day Celebration
FRIDAY, FEB. 10th – Region 1C – White Shirt Day Celebration at Local 651
THURSDAY, MARCH 8th – Chapter Meeting
THURSDAY, MARCH 8th – Election of Regional Delegates
APRIL, 2012 – Spring Excursion (details to be announced)
THURSDAY, APRIL 12th – Chapter Meeting
THURSDAY, MAY 10th – Chapter Meeting
LOCAL 598 NOMINATIONS & RETIREE ELECTIONS
Rules:
1. All retired members of Local 598, UAW, only, are nominated.
2. Those desiring to accept nomination, must do so by signing the register
at the Local 598 Union Hall, G-3293 Van Slyke Rd, Flint, MI; or
By sending a registered letter to the Election Committee, Local 598,
UAW, postmarked no earlier than the beginning date of nominations
and by the closing date of nominations, specifying the office or offices
for which nomination is being accepted, and your name PRINTED as
you wish it to appear on the ballot, to Local 598 Union Hall,
G-3293 Van Slyke Rd, Flint, MI 48507.
3. Nominations will be accepted:
Beginning: February 13th, 2012 thru February 15th, 2012
Time: 9:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.
Place: Local 598 Union Hall, G-3293 Van Slyke Rd., Flint, MI 48507
Election Region 1C
Retired Workers Council
6 Delegates
Election Flint Area Wide
Retiree Council
3 Delegates
Polls will be open one day only, Thursday, March 8th, 2012 at 9:00 a.m.
and will remain open until 2:00 p.m. at the Local 598 Union Hall, G-3293
Van Slyke Rd, Flint, MI 48507.
Note: Only Retired Members of UAW
Local 598 will be eligible to vote. Voting
will be by secret ballot. You must have a
picture I.D. and provide the last 4 digits
of your Social Security number to vote.
UAW Local 598, Election Committee • UAW Local 598 Retiree Chair Don Clark
C
ongratulations
to all of our recent retirees
(At left) President Ray
Gorney with recent
skilled trades retiree
Robin L. Marshall
If you would stop by the Benefits
Office or Union Hall, we would
like to recognize each one of you
with a picture in the Eye Opener.
Also not pictured but recently retired:
Barbara J. Chambers Eric B. Lien
Susan L. Beach
Chris A. Laverty
Jacqulin M. Dingman Suwanee Goodyear
David R. Gregory
Mitchell Atkinson
Michael E. Siop
Edward G. Johnson
Robert Owens
Richard R. Smith
Stanley J. Kustra