Myron Niese GM Defiance Powertrain

Let’s meet another proud member of UAW Local 211!

1. How long did you work at GM Defiance Powertrain? When I retired on September 1, 2001, I had accumulated 33.1 years of credited service.               

2. What was your badge number? 9565     

3. What jobs did you have when working at the foundry? I had a variety including millwright apprentice, truck driver, janitor, core maker, sand mixer, general laborer, casting processor and JETT.          

4. When did you first start working at GM? I was hired on October 7, 1972.

5. Have you ever worked at another GM facility? No

6. Do any members of your family belong to a union? Yes, my family is blessed to have several who do. They include my uncle and cousins—Merlin Busch, Duane “Duke” Busch, John Niese, James “Jimmy” Niese and Rick Niese.

7. What are three words that describe you best? Loyal, dependable and trustworthy

8. What are three foods that you can NOT live without? Pizza, chicken and prime rib  

9. Have you ever owned or driven a foreign plated vehicle? It's not gonna happen in this lifetime!

10. Who are some of your favorite co-workers? I learned a lot from a bunch
of people. Some include Gladys Green, Monte Pritchard, Dick “Carp” Carpenter, Charlie “Ho Ho” Wilkerson, Alice Pessefall, Bill Greve, Gary “Shoe” Shoemaker, Tony Singer, Dan Butler, Karl Terhark, Charlie Chatham and Victor Hernandez.

11. What do you remember the most about your first day at GM Defiance Powertrain? I was an 18 year old farm boy from Putnam County, who hired in
at $5.00 an hour which was big bucks back then! They put me in Department
710 transferring oil sand dryers to the vertical ovens. Several of my fellow new hires took their shoes off and quit at first break. It was hard work but I stuck
it out because they were the best work shoes I ever had!    

12. What episode at work do you remember the most? A lot happened. Here
is a particularly funny incident. It was Thanksgiving week, and I was working in Department 810 as a core maker on first shift. I worked next to Gary “Shoe” Shoemaker on Shalcos 39 and 40. “Shoe” had volunteered to bake a turkey for our department meal if his foundry service man Dick “Carp” Carpenter would
pay for it. Shoe told Carp to stick the turkey in his old red work truck the day before our meal. Little did he know that Carp had gone to Cooper’s Turkey
Farms to buy a live turkey! When Shoe got out to the parking lot, the turkey
had crapped all over the inside of his Dodge pick-up. Carp was a strict UAW member who believed in “Buy what you build.” Needless to say Shoe was very ticked off. Sometimes peer pressure is a powerful tool!

13. Your family includes... two sons, a daughter and three grandchildren.

14. Working in a unionized auto plant has allowed me... “to see my children sing “Solidarity Forever” at Black Lake while attending a UAW Family Education session as a family activity. As the saying goes, it is the simple things in life
that have the most meaning!                                                     

Earlier Questions and Answers

$115 Million Investment

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.

$59 Million Investment

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."

Bob Armstrong (Mayor) Ken Lortz
(UAW Region 2B Director), Dwight Chatham (UAW Local 211, President) and Ted Strickland (Governor)

President's Report by Dwight Chatham

The 35th UAW Constitutional Convention

The new International Executive Board:

• Bob King – President
• Dennis Williams – Secretary/Treasurer
• General Holiefield – Vice President
• Cindy Estrada – Vice President
• Joe Ashton – Vice President
• James Settles – Vice President
• Daniel Norris, Phyllis Blust and Michael Watier - Trustees

Retiring International Executive Board members:

• Ron Gettlefinger - President
• Elizabeth Bunn – Secretary/Treasurer
• Cal Rapson – Vice President
• Felipe Sanchez – Trustee and Five Regional Directors

Ken Lortz was reelected as Region 2-B, Director.

Here are some other highlights. A total of 1065 delegates. The Public Review Board will go from seven to six members.
On the third Tuesday in June of 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013, the International Executive Board may transfer up to a maximum of twenty-five million dollars from the Strike fund to the general fund. The International staff scheduled lump sum payment and cost of living raises have been eliminated.
The International Union will go from five (5) Vice-Presidents to four (4) Vice-Presidents.

Newly elected President Bob King issued the call to

• reach out to new members
• rebuild the power of the UAW
• push for the right to organize
• commitment to labor law reform
• fight for social and economic justice.

After the adjournment of the National Convention on Thursday, a march in downtown Detroit was led by Bob

King, Dennis Williams, Joe Ashton, General Holiefield, Jimmy Settles, Cindy Estrada, Teamsters President James P. Hoffa, NAACP President Ben Jealous and NAACP Reverend Dr. Wendell Anthony, delegates and guests to demonstrate for "Good Jobs and Investment in America."

A drive to boycott Toyota at their local dealers is planned because of the Nummi Plant closing in Fremont, California.

Local Happenings

Portions of the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) have been reinstated for active members. Course eligibility is limited to degree programs of study and courses taken to maintain and/or improve skills or knowledge. This was previously defined as Level 3 by the Center for Human Resources Joint Training Department.

Kid’s Day is scheduled for September 12. Volunteers are still needed to work this event. Sign up at the union hall.

A special thanks to Lisa and Mike Miller our UAW janitors.  After many years of service to UAW Local 211, Lisa and Mike have decided to give up the janitor services. Resumes for the UAW Janitor are being accepted at the UAW Hall. Resume deadline is 4:00 P.M. on Friday September 3, 2010. Janitorial services will include cleaning the UAW Local 211 Union Hall, setting up and taking down tables and chairs.

The 25th Annual Hospice Auxiliary Fall Fair will be held at the UAW Hall on Thursday, September 23, 2010 from 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.

UAW members eligible for the Legal Services Plan must pay imputed income. If both spouses work at GM, the participants may be charged two imputed income amounts.  To avoid this increased liability, one eligible participant may now declare coverage for both eligible parties for tax purposes. To provide notice of dual coverage, the member must call (800-521-7818, ext. 517) and indicate he is calling regarding dual plan coverage. Notice of dual coverage from the tax paying party must be received no later than Friday, September 24, 2010, and will become effective November 1, 2010. There is no need for further action in this regard if the legal services plan was previously notified.

Remember to buy union and buy American. A VIN number beginning with a 1, 4 or 5 identifies a US made vehicle.

Main street of Defiance

$upporting our community...

When General Motors Defiance Powertrain buys supplies and services, businesses sell their products and skills. Those businesses must employ people to market, manage, manufacture, deliver and service what they sell. The fact is that the more GM buys the more people are hired and retained. Millions are spent annually in the Defiance area.

Where are most of the wages earned by employees of GM Defiance Powertrain spent? Locally. Is the same true for its thousands of retirees? Yes. Are you one step closer to becoming unemployed if "GM people" are not calling you or standing in your checkout line? You betcha!

Defiance Courthouse

The 2010 list of union-made vehicles is now available. This guide is prepared by the UAW to provide information for consumers who want to purchase vehicles produced by workers who enjoy the benefits and protections of a union contract. All are made in the United States or Canada by members of the UAW or Canadian Auto Workers (CAW). Drive one home today!

Contact your U.S. Senator and Congressman at (202) 224-3121 to demand they support a strong and vibrant U.S. manufacturing base.