President's Report: President Report 2018

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I am hopeful that this letter finds you in good health and happiness, and that you find the information in this edition of the M1 Review as helpful.
I debated long and hard about what to include in this letter and what I kept coming back to was the importance of talking about the Companies push to use old tactics to attack our Union. This effort began in full force prior to the last set of negotiations and they continue today in new ways. It’s the old “Divide and conquer” tactic. What the Company fought hard for and ultimately won in the last negotiations has created a division in our membership like I have never seen, not only in our plant but also in the Scranton, PA facility and the Sterling Heights, MI facility which are included in our Agreement. The Company continues this assault on our membership every single day, and they are WINNING. Between the progressions for recalled members, the progression for new members, no pay raises or COLA fold in and the absolute beating that the retirees have endured, due to the insurance premium increases vs no pension improvements, has put the pattern of division into full effect and began the process of the Company winning. Now today that process continues its momentum in new ways. Every time our members use a cell phone to text the boss and tell on another member….the Company WINS! Every time our members call out, point out or exposes a new hires poor performance rather than helping them to get better….the Company WINS!! Every time our members continue to look at what’s in it for me rather than what’s best for us as a whole…..then the Company will continue to WIN!!!
As I sit here writing this letter we are 18 months from the end of this current Agreement and just about 12 months from beginning the process of preparing for the next set of negotiations. We as a membership have got to quit allowing the managers and supervisors to continue this “Divide and conquer” mentality and join together as one membership fighting for the betterment of the whole rather than the improvement of the individuals. This has got to come from each and every member, senior, recalled or new hire. It has to be a personal want, a personal goal and a personal belief that together we are more powerful than we are apart. The elected representatives in office today will be negotiating the next contract and the only negotiating power they will have comes from the strength and support that they receive from you the Union.
Brothers and sisters make no mistake that I for one have had my fill of the Companies tactics and plan to make it my personal goal to fight back for the whole, meaning active, laid off and retired and I hope you will to.

In Solidarity,
Andy Bertog
President
UAW Local 2075
UAW / GD General Council