The recent big three contracts are being hailed in as a landmark in manufacturing, establishing not only two teir wages, asian models of manufacturing, but apparently also allow the Int'l to reinvent themselves as big three corporate stockholders, while ignoring workers.  

The GM/UAW negotiations alone resulted in a contract permitting thousands of temporary workers to become permanent, meanwhile ignoring transfer and preferential hire rights, violating and ignoring seniority.

While all workers support unity within the workforce, we also strongly support seniority as a basic, fundamental right of unionism. There are many workers, including formerGuide Corporation workers who have yet to be placed at GM facilies.  Guide Corp workers are presently on laid off, awaiting placement, after having suffered through a devastating closure.

They have been awaiting placement since the ratification of a 2004 contract agreement, which allowed for further talks on the matter that never materialized, until the closure of the plant in 2006. They are on active lists to be placed at GM facilities and were previously informed by the UAW Int'l that with the settlement of the UAW/GM 2007 contract this would occur. Guide workers were to be hired before the hiring of temporary employees, having been assured by the Int'l that temporaries COULD NOT be placed before the Guide workers.

If GM is allowed to ignore Delphi and Guide workers, and fails to honor prior agreements, time will run out, eliminating GM's obligation to place such workers at GM facilities.

Seniority has, since the inception of unionism, been a basic tenant of unionism. Before temporary employees were made permanent the International had an obligation to demand all Delphi and Guide workers awaiting placement should be not only given the opportunity, but this should have been solidly addressed. On pg. 23 of the tentative agreement it outlines the GM/UAW confirmation to place Delphi, Guide and ACC workers. In Appendix A of the UAW/GM National agreement on pg. 2 it assures placement in the language of "in the event an opening remains after administering steps 1-6, further job offers will be made in accordance with any Special Agreements (Delphi, Guide, ACC etc.).

Guide workers have called the office of Ron Gettlefinger, which got them nowhere. When workers asked International official Keith Neargarner to update local 663 in 30 days, he told them he'd be in touch by the end of the year! Other responses suggested GM was well within their right to hire temps due to language in the contract. This amounts to the Int'l twisting and alterating the true meaning of the language for GM's benefit. JUST WHO ARE THE INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTING? GUIDE WORKERS EXPECT RESOLVE! By all appearances the Int'l intends to ignore Guide workers and their preferential hire right. Unacceptable!

UPDATE: Local 663 representatives met with International representatives on Nov. 12 to discuss resolve. They were told it was not Cal Rapson's responsibility to bargain for Guide workers since Guide workers are under the offices of Jimmy Settles, and representatives intimated dear ol' Cal just wasn't aware of the situation ... and yet Ron Gettelfinger upon entering negotiations claimed the bargaining team were bargaining for ALL WORKERS.

The Int'l said they are going to "hold GM's feet to the fire" over the Guide placement issues, and said "Guide workers have been wronged." But the question is what do they intend to do about it? On Nov. 28 they have agreed to meet with Guide workers and explain what the Int'l intend to do, if anything. Guide workers expect immediate and expediated resolve!

They should be placed instead of temporary workers! Waiting until retirements, which undoubtedly will not occur until the new year is unacceptable. If in fact the offices of Cal Rapson were unaware of the matter, it should be a simple matter to correct the mistake and ensure seniority is upheld over the rights of temporary workers, now permanent. So why isn't this occuring? Why aren't the Int'l stepping up to the plate for guide workers? Why do they need answers from GM? Isn't 3 years long enough to find those answers? Or is it just that the only answers are wrong answers? PLACE GUIDE WORKERS NOW!!

We respectfully ask that GM workers stand with thousands of workers across the country in demanding the Int''l resolve this issue, resulting from a contract that fails to protect workers, and represents massive seniority violation to not only Delphi, Guide Corp. and ACC workers, but potentially to ALL GM seniority workers as well. If GM is allowed to violate the seniority and written agreement with thousands of workers across this country, how do GM workers expect the 2007 agreement will be upheld? If one agreement fails to be upheld, no worker is sacred, and no agreement is valid.

We respectfully ask GM workers contact the International and write letters requesting a firm process for placement or further negotiations in relation to the hiring of temporary workers, superceding the seniority and GM transfer/Preferential right agreement of active/laid off UAW/Delphi/and Guide employees.

UAW/GM APPENDIX A, 2007 MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING EMPLOYEE PLACEMENT

GUIDE CORPORATION CLOSURE AGREEMENT

GUIDE WORKERS SPEAK OUT ON GM CONTRACT!

DELPHI MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING, RESTRUCTURING AGREEMENT