Local 211 Events

GM Makes Local Investments

On February 27, GM announced $115 million in upgrades for its Defiance foundry that will create up to 189 jobs. The funds are part of a $890 million investment to create new, fuel efficient small block engines. As a result, more than 1,600 jobs will be created or retained at five facilities. At the foundry, the funds will help expand semi-permanent mold and precision sand casting technologies for GM's new cleaner, more efficient engines. "Any way you look at it, this is good news to see GM success in the marketplace," said Tom Gallagher, Defiance plant manager. "Defiance is a key factor in GM's future." GM's goal is to boost fuel economy of its high-performance cars, trucks and SUV's. The knew engines will have aluminum blocks and more efficient technology that inject fuel directly into the combustion chambers.

On February 18, GM announced the investment of $59 million to support precision sand cast blocks at a capacity of 188,000 annually and result in about 80 jobs. The project is related to the next generation of Ecotec engines that are targeted to provide the right combination of fuel efficiency and performance to meet customer expectations. "Today's announcement of the investment in the GM Powertrain Defiance plant is definitely great for the auto industry and our community," said Dwight Chatham, president of UAW Local 211. "There are many deserving our thanks including those from our international union and the staff at GM Defiance Powertrain.' 'However, this investment would never have been made if not for the hard work, dedication and support of all those men and women who make are UAW Local 211.'" Cal Rapson, director and vice president, UAW International Union added this investment reflects your facilities "strong reputation for building quality and focusing on the needs of our customers."

Attend Union Meetings—GM Unit

The regular Local 211 union meetings are held on the first Wednesday of every month, except in July. The meeting times are as follows: 8:00 a.m. for third shift, 4:00 p.m. for first shift, 6:00 p.m. for those who are on the alternate work schedules, and 11:59 p.m for second shift. you may attend any time available, if your schedule will not allow you to attend your normally scheduled meeting time. Your regular attendance will ensure that your voice is heard on the regular political actions of our union. You will also keep informed of any breaking news that may be presented to the local union body. Remember, no attendance means no voice in the things important not only to you, but your fellow union brothers and sisters as well. Regular attendance at your union meetings is also an excellent way for those on permanent layoff to keep informed, instead of hearing the all-too-often used "rumor mill." Every voice is valuable, make yours heard! Go to your union meetings!

Union Voice Web Site

We as union members have many ways to have our voices heard. Today, with the internet available and in almost every home, we have a unique opportunity to have information at our fingertips at all times. Those of you who are regular visitors here and those who are first-time visitors alike have an excellent chance to keep yourself informed of and have a voice in the affairs of the government's actions in the legislative arena. You can simply click on unionvoice.org where you can register for legislative alerts and keep informed on the latest political battles and action alerts involving union members and their families. By joining, you will get action alerts as well as important legislative news delivered right to your in box. This can prove to be very helpful in these turbulent times of automotive uncertainty. This only takes a moment to do, and you can unsubscribe at any time. This is an easy way to stay in the know on the issues that concern you most.

Memorial Walkway at Black Lake to honor Reuther Brothers

Roy, Victor and Walter Reuther "walked the walk" when it came to fighting for social justice.

Active and retired UAW members and others can honor their memory by purchasing and inscribing messages on bricks that will be used to pave a Memorial Walkway at The Walter and May Reuther UAW Family Education Center in Onaway, Michigan.

If you would like to purchase a Memorial Walkway brick at $100 for active members and $50 for retirees, please complete this order form (2.06 MB) and send it to UAW Memorial Walkway, 8000 E. Jefferson Ave., Detroit, MI 48214.

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Sportsmen Help Promote Conservation

With 18 shotguns and 14 muzzle loaders, it's no surprise the Norm Jones is a life member of the National Rifle Association. And with four kids and a job at the General Motors Foundry in Defiance, Ohio, it's no surprise either that he is also a staunch UAW supporter.

"I want an organization that'll help me keep my guns, but when it comes down to it, my job and my family are more important," said the 29-year seniority electrician who has no intentions of dumping the NRA. "I guess I can say that because I really don't believe anyone is trying to take away my job," he added.

All that probably makes this UAW Local 211 member the perfect candidate to join a brand-new group with an agenda to promote hunting, fishing and conservation: The Union Sportsmen's Alliance (USA). USA is a collaboration of the AFL-CIO and the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, a coalition of hunting, fishing and conservation organizations. Roosevelt, America's 26th president, was an avid hunter and one of our nation's earliest conservationists.

But the two sides have not always blended will of late. "At our NRA dinners, the running joke was the the Sierra Club bought a table this year," said Jones. After reviewing the USA Web site, Jones says he will likely join the new hunter and angler group. He likes its goals, including the conservationists parts.

A portion of USA's annual membership of $25 goes to support conservation efforts, such as access for hunters and anglers, fish habitat conservation, and wildlife-friendly energy development on public lands and wilderness areas.

USA has plenty of room to grow. Of the 80 million gun owners in America, only 4.3 million are NRA members. Of the first 20 AFL-CIO unions to affiliate with USA, more than 3.2 million of these union members hunt or fish with the vast majority not belonging to any hunting or fishing organization.

Eric Chrisley, a 10-year seniority worker at the Volvo Truck plant in Dublin, Va., is one of them. "I know a lot of our members would love to join a group that represents both their union values and their gun owner values," he said.

written by Sam Stark, Solidarity Magazine, July-August 2008

Good and Welfare

As they have in the past, members of UAW Local 211 give generously of their time and money when tragedy strikes. Please contact us if you know of an active or retired, UAW Local 211 member or one of their family member(s) who needs assistance. UAW Local 211 cares and responds to those in need. Send an email to local211@defnet.com or call 419.784.5399 to contact the community service department.