7/14/10: From the Office of President John C. Dohner
The Fall Elections:
With the upcoming fall elections, there is another issue we must be concerned about, especially as retired workers. Like many of the programs that came about, during and because of the leadership of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Social Security, has been under attack from the Republicans, since its conception.
This even more so and more frightening now, than ever. On one side there stands the conservative Republicans and the Blue Dog Democrats, who have and are blocking the continuation of unemployment benefits, some of them even saying these people should go out and find jobs.
Most of them supported Bush's tax cuts for the wealthy and two unfunded wars. But now, they say, we have to focus on the deficit—even if it means cutting Social Security for the retired, while leaving millions of Americans unemployed and jobless for years.
On the other side are Democrats who agree we have to rein in our deficits, but think we should do it in a way that protects the middle class and makes Wall Street clean up its own mess.
Social Security belongs to the American people, who pay into it every working day of our lives. But this election could determine whether the Republican conservative budget hawks finally have their way and make deep cuts to our benefits.
There is a disturbing pattern of conservative fear-mongering on Social Security that is being carried out every day. Republican Leaders like John Boehner, who could become the next Majority Leader of the House carry on constantly now about the deficit . Before that former Republican Senator Alan Simpson, the head of a commission that will make recommendations on Social Security this fall, called Americans who rely on Social Security "lesser people."
Think when you vote this fall, Russ Feingold and Tammie Baldwin have been there fighting for us. Its too bad that our Congressman from the 1st District doesn't follow suit.
While these conservatives in office, don't have a problem taking from the "lesser people" its a different story when it comes to taking from the rich. You can read more about this in the following article from UAW Region 4, Education Director, Brad Schwanda..
7/14/10: The following is an article sent to us by the UAW Region 4 Education Director Bradley Schwanda
Subject: Republinomics and UC
As you probably know, Republicans in Congress having been blocking the extension of unemployment benefits for 1.2 million Americans on the grounds that doing so would increase the deficit. All spending, they insist, must be offset by like-sized cuts so that everything washes out as deficit neutral.
Turns out there's an exception to this, and it's guess what? Tax cuts for the rich.
The Bush tax cuts from 2001 are set to expire next year. Obama has said he will keep the current rates for all taxpayers below $250,000 but will let the rates for those above that mark go back up to their pre-Bush level of about 39%. It's now 35%, on earned dollars $250,001 and up. So in other words, the Obama position will raise taxes only on those high-end earners.
GOP Senator Jon Kyl, however, said yesterday that this was a terrible idea - and then, when asked whether continuing those Bush rates wouldn't exacerbate the deficit, said it didn't matter in this case.
"You should never raise taxes in order to cut taxes," said the Arizona Senator during an appearance on Fox News Sunday. "Surely Congress has the authority, and it would be right to -- if we decide we want to cut taxes to spur the economy, not to have to raise taxes in order to offset those costs. You do need to offset the cost of increased spending, and that's what Republicans object to. But you should never have to offset cost of a deliberate decision to reduce tax rates on Americans."
We rarely see it said quite so openly as all that. Except that it wasn't really a very honest statement, because where Kyl says "Americans" what he in fact means is those who earn more than $250,000, because they're the only Americans who'll be affected.
As for the impact of the Bush tax cuts on the deficit, opinions of course differ. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, which I would tend to trust, reported that the cuts accounted for around $240 billion of the 2004 deficit. The Heritage Foundation begs to differ but it acknowledges the cuts had a minimal negative deficit impact of $58 billion. Either way, they were not deficit neutral.
But see, under Republinomics, they don't have to be. Rich people are good, see.
This story can be checked out at the following web site:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/michaeltomasky/2010/jul/12/republicans-usdomesticpolicy
7/13/10: ATTENTION LAID OFF WORKERS: If you were laid off from one of the companies listed below, you are eligible for assistance through a National Emergency Grant (NEG). Please call 741-3447 to schedule an Orientation where you will find out more information about the services available and the enrollment process.
| Company |
Laid Off on or after: |
| Alcoa |
3/15/09 |
| Lear |
7/14/08 |
| United Industries |
8/29/08 |
| General Motors |
7/14/08 |
| Logistic Services, Inc. |
7/14/08 |
| Warner Electric |
11/20/09 |
| Kuhn North America/Kuhn Knight |
3/9/09 |
| Allied Automotive |
2/26/10 |
| Amtec |
2/2/09 |
| Sanford Business to Business |
1/8/10 |
| Bourn's Automotive |
4/2/10 |
| Plymouth Tube |
8/15/09 |
| Briggs and Stratton |
10/31/09 |
| Madison Dairy |
5/5/09 |
| McCain Foods |
9/14/09 |
| Wolf/Sub Zero |
5/1/09 |
| Buell Motorcycle |
12/18/09 |
6/30/10: From President John Dohner
If Republicans win the majority of the House, the perpetually tanned John Boehner will become Speaker. Hard to envision that and heaven help the working person if that happens.
This news came after the Republicans to a person in the US Senate killed the extended unemployment benefits this week. This will end benefits for about 20,000 people a week and affect millions. Where do they go now? Perhaps they can get a job at McDonalds as another Republican, said the hungry kids of our nation should do. Then on their break, McDonalds will give them a sandwich and they won't be hungry.
Finally, when election time comes this fall, remember that the Congressman from this area, the 1st Congressional District, has NEVER VOTED TO EXTEND UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS for people out of work.
6/1/10: Congratulations to the Membership at Mercy Clinic East on the Ratification of their new Contract. The contract was passed by a 90% vote on May 27th.A special thank you to Int. Servicing Rep. Brad Dutcher, Vice President Mike Marcks, Chair Marge Asselin, and Committee people Paulette Castillo, Sandy Horner and Wendy Winchell for a job well done.
5/21/10: Additional information regarding the recent GM Relocation Letters: Regional Benefit Rep. Jim Koeberl will be at the Local 95 Union Office on Monday, May 24th from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to assist our members with transfer/retirement issues.
We are currently working with the International Union and GM regarding those of you who will soon have enough credited service to retire this summer. Our hopes are to convince the corporation not to force you to relocate for that short period of time. Until we get an answer, we urge you to accept the transfer, which gives us some time to work through this situation. Please be patient with the leadership, we are working tirelessly for your best interest. Continue to check our website for updates.
Also, please note that if you accept this relocation via phone, the relocation money process does not start until you have filled out, signed and faxed your relocation papers in. The support staff at Local 95 will gladly assist you in this process. The later you wait to fax, the less chance you will have the money prior to your start date. Those who are going and did not fax in their relocation papers, will need to go without the relocation money and apply at your new location. Important: NOT having the money to travel when you did not apply for relocation, will not be an excuse for failing to report on your start date.
The Relocation Help Services Number is 1-866-256-8105.
5/20/10: Q & A Regarding GM Relocation Letters: (We will post Q&A as we get them. Please continue to monitor this website.)
1. Q. I received a forced letter to transfer to Lordstown, what happens if I refuse to go?
A. You are placed on a permanent leave of absence with return rights to Janesville Assembly ONLY, all of your benefits cease including any SUB of TSP currently available to you. Regarding your medical benefits, for those who have a report date of June 1st, and you refuse or fail to report, your medical benefits will cease on May 31st. You are ineligible to sign up to transfer to another GM location at any time.
2. Q. I am interested in applying for the MSR (50 and 10) but I do not turn 50 until after my scheduled report date. Can I turn down the offer and still be eligible for the early retirement?
A. You are eligible to sign up for the MSR if you are on leave. You will be without any benefits or SUB during that period.
3. Q. I will have 30 years credited service after my scheduled report date and plan to retire. Do I still have to report or can I turn down the offer and retire at a later date?
A. When you decline the offer and are placed on leave of absence, you cease gaining seniority towards your 30 years. You must accept the transfer and continue your active status until you acquire your 30 years of service.
5/19/10: From the Office of President John C. Dohner:
UAW wants to share in big 3's financial success
As better times return, the United Automobile Workers is not the union it was before. But, as Ford has started returning benefits to its salaried workers our new UAW International President to be, Bob King has some ides for us hourly workers as well. Because of the length of the article and copyright laws we can not print the story, but if you go to Google and type this headline in the search area, you can read Brother King's remarks or click on this link.
There are a couple of different stories you can read.
5/18/10: Help the unemployed and create jobs! Contact your members of Congress on the Promoting American Jobs and Creating Tax Loopholes Act of 2010 (H.R. 4213).
This Thursday the House is expected to take up the Promoting American Jobs and Creating Tax Loopholes Act of 2010 (H.R. 4213). The UAW and the rest of the labor movement are strongly
supporting this legislation. It would:
-- Continue federal unemployment insurance (UI) and COBRA benefits for unemployed workers through the end of the year. These benefits are now scheduled to expire on June 5.
-- Provide assistance to hard-pressed states by increasing the federal share of Medicaid (known as FMAP); this will help many states avoid having to lay off first responders, teachers and other workers.
-- Provide financing for infrastructure projects and summer jobs programs.
-- Give companies additional time to fund shortfalls in their pension plans that were created by the sharp drop in the stock market; this will prevent many employers from being forced to cut back on investments that are vital to the creation of jobs.
These important initiatives are paid for, in part, by closing the "carried interest" tax loophole that currently allows hedge fund managers to pay lower taxes on their income than ordinary workers.
Please contact your representative right away at toll free 1-866-960-0611. Urge them to vote for H.R. 4213. Tell them this legislation is critically important -- both to ensure that unemployed workers continue to receive vital assistance, and to help create jobs for American workers.
Thanks in advance for your help on this important issue.
4/12/10:
From UAW
International
Union-Conservative
opponents
of
health
care
reform
have
been
spreading
lies
that the
new
health
care
reform
legislation
that was
recently
passed
by
Congress
and
signed
into law
by
President
Obama
will
somehow
hurt
seniors.
Nothing
could be
further
from
the
truth.
The
reality
is that
health
care
reform
contains
significant
benefits
for
senior
citizens.
Expansion
in
Medicare
Benefits
The
health
care
reform
law will
eliminate
the
coverage
gap in
the
Medicare
Prescription
Drug
program
known as
the
"donut
hole";
it will
immediately
provide
a $250
payment
to
seniors
who fall
into
this
coverage
gap, and
will
gradually
phase
out the
"donut
hole";
it also
will
provide
a 50
percent
brand-name
drug
discount
to
seniors
during
this
phase-out
period.
-- The
health
care
reform
law will
provide
preventative
care at
no cost
to
Medicare
beneficiaries.
Extending
the
Solvency
of
Medicare
The
health
care
reform
law will
crack
down on
waste,
fraud
and
abuse
under
Medicare,
and will
curtail
excessive
payments
toprivate
insurers
under
the
Medicare
program.
These
reforms
will
extend
the life
of the
Medicare
Trust
Fund by
nine
years,
thereby
helping
to
preserve
this
important
program
for
seniors.
Early
Retiree
Reinsurance
Program
The
health
care
reform
law will
establish
a new
early
retiree
reinsurance
program
that
will
help pay
for part
of the
costs
incurred
by
employers
and
Voluntary
Employee
Beneficiary
Associations
(VEBAs)
in
providing
health
care
coverage
to early
retirees,
along
with
their
spouses
and
dependents.
This
assistance
is
designed
to
encourage
employers
and
VEBAs to
continue
health
care
coverage
for this
vulnerable
population.
HEALTH
CARE
REFORM
- GOOD
FOR OUR
COUNTRY
- GOOD
FOR
SENIORS
04/08/10:
From
Benefit
Rep.
John
Kosharek
regarding
Hourly
Optional
Life and
Dependent
Life
Insurance
Premium
Holiday
Effective
May
through
December
2010.
Hourly
employees,
retirees,
and
surviving
spouses/same-sex
domestic
partners
enrolled
in
Optional
Life
Insurance
(OLI)
and/or
Dependent
Life
Insurance
(DLI)
offered
through
the
General
Motors
Life and
Disability
Benefits
Program
for
Hourly
Employees
will
have
their
monthly
contributions
waived
for two
(2)
months
for
Optional
Life
Insurance
and
eight
(8)
months
for
Dependent
Life
Insurance
beginning
May
through
December
2010.
Participants
will not
receive
deductions
and will
not be
required
to make
payments
for OLI
coverage
for the
months
of May
and June
and for
DLI
coverage
for the
months
of May
through
December
2010.
Monthly
contributions
and
payments
will
resume
in July
2010 for
OLI
contributions
and in
January
2011 for
DLI.
Those
Plan
participants
who
currently
pay
their
contributions
in
advance
should
send
their
personal
checks
or money
orders
for
amounts
minus
the
premiums
for the
months
that are
waived.
This
premium
holiday
does not
extend
any
period
during
which
hourly
employees,
retirees
or
surviving
spouses/same-sex
domestic
partners
are
entitled
to
continue
coverage.
For
example,
if your
eligibility
for life
insurance
coverage
is
ending
during
the
waiver
period,
coverage
will
still
end.
Any
premium
adjustments
will
also be
suspended
during
the
premium
holiday
and will
resume
at the
conclusion
of the
premium
holiday
period.
If you
have any
questions
regarding
your
life
insurance
coverages,
please
contact
the GM
Benefits
&
Services
Center,
select
Life
Insurance
when
prompted,
at
1-800-489-4646,
Monday
through
Friday
between
7:30 am
and 6:00
p.m.
Eastern
Time
zone to
speak to
a Life
Insurance
Customer
Service
Associate.
3/18/10: UAW-GM Now on
Facebook:
Many retirees say they miss
people they used to work
with during their time at
GM. Now, a social
networking site makes
keeping up with friends
easy, especially for
retirees. CHeck out
the UAW-GM Facebook page at
http://www.facebook.com/uawgm.org.
The site focuses on good
deeds in the community, to
product news and special
events and keeping track of
old friends. So join
today.
3/4/10:
This
article was supplied to us
by Past UAW Local 95
President Bruce Penny.
It definitely shows the
effect of our loses in the
auto industry.
The
spin off effect of
transitioning to a
service economy.........
See link below. This is very interesting. When you click on the individual states it also shows detail on how many manufacturing jobs have been lost since 2000, how many retirees live in the state, etc.
It is a GM map:
- shows employees
- shows suppliers
- shows GM factories
- shows GM retirees
- etc have to see it to appreciate it
|
1795 Lafayette St.