2/2/10: Ice Fishing Fun Day: We still have tickets available at the Union Hall for the Ice Fishing Fun Day this Saturday, February 6th at Storr's Lake. Tickets are $5.00 each.

2/2/10: For those GM Employees who are transferring to Fort Wayne, check out www.local2209.org for information on relocating. This site describes the areas near the Fort Wayne facility so you can become familiar with the area and make it easier for you to relocate.

1/25/10: NEW UAW/GM BENEFIT HOURS AND LOCATION: Effective Monday, February 1, 2010 UAW/GM Benefit Representative John Kosharek will be moving his office to UAW Local 95. His hours will be 6:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Monday-Thursday and his phone number will be 755-5120 Ex. 119. We will have more updates as they become available.

1/18/10: From President John C. Dohner: This last week's newspapers and media sources have created quite a stir, once again for our UAW Unit 1, GM members. People are wondering again about what to do and is there a future here in Janesville. It’s sad that our members get misled this way, but I 'm sure that it may have sold a few more newspapers across the country.

If you look at the following article the only place that Janesville is mentioned is in the last paragraph where it mentions that Janesville and Spring Hill are both on standby. When Reuss was speaking about shuttered plants, he was talking specifically about Spring Hill, Tenn.

There is an old saying, "a bird in hand is worth more than two in the bush". That is still true today. We are still advising our members to get signed up for other plants on the National Hire list. This list is your bird in hand.

Report: GM may reopen factories to keep up with high demand
by Chris Shunk (RSS feed) on Jan 13th 2010 at 5:28PM

General Motors had a tough 2009, but one very bright spot was the success of some of its newest models. GM North America President Mark Reuss has informed reporters at the Detroit Auto Show that the plants that build the Cadillac SRX, Chevrolet Equinox and Buick LaCrosse are already at full capacity and The General simply cannot meet demand. That's a good problem to have, and GM is working on a backup plan in the event demand for cars and trucks exceeds its current capacity.

The Associated Press reports that Reuss told the media that the solution to too much demand could be to reopen one of the General's shuttered plants. Reuss specifically pointed to the company's Spring Hill facility in Tennessee as a factory that could reopen to augment production, which makes sense in light of the fact that GM recently spent many millions of dollars to upgrade the plant to build the Chevrolet Traverse. Assuming GM can relight the fires at Spring Hill, that money would appear to be well spent, as Reuss reminded reporters that Spring Hill is flexible enough to build several different models.

GM has placed its Janesville, Wisconsin and Spring Hill plants on standby in the event that it needs more capacity when the U.S. auto industry begins to improve. Considering that new plants can cost over a billion dollars, we're thinking that's a pretty good idea.

1/07/10: National Call-In Day for Health Care Reform: Wed., Jan 13

Don't tax our health care!

The Obama administration and Democratic congressional leaders
will be having discussions during the next few weeks to iron out
differences in the health care reform bills that have been
passed by the House and Senate.

These bills contain many important features that have long been
supported by the UAW, including provisions that will:

-- Extend affordable health care coverage to most Americans.

-- Prohibit abusive practices by insurance companies, such as
denying coverage to individuals because of pre-existing
conditions.

-- Contain health care costs by reforming provider payment and
delivery practices, and by establishing exchanges to facilitate
cost effective coverage for individuals and small businesses.

-- Help employers and Voluntary Employee Beneficiary
Associations (VEBAs) continue coverage for pre-Medicare
retirees.

The UAW and our progressive allies believe it is critically
important that Congress act now to enact health care reform
legislation that includes these key provisions.

At the same time, we believe it is essential that health care
reform be financed through progressive measures that require
employers and wealthy individuals to pay their fair share. We
continue to strongly oppose the dangerous provisions in the
Senate bill that would impose an excise tax on health care
plans. This would force many plans to eliminate benefits and
increase co-pays and deductibles for working families.

Call Congress Wed., Jan. 13: (877) 323-5246.

Please call your representative and senators to send them a
loud, clear message that we want Congress to act now to pass
health care reform legislation. But we also want Congress to
reject the Senate provision that would impose an excise tax on
health care plans.

You can use the following toll-free number to place your calls:
(877) 323-5246.

The labor movement is organizing a national call-in day for
Wed., Jan. 13. So it is especially important that we help
generate phone calls on that day.

Thanks in advance for your efforts.

1/06/10: From President John Dohner: This is a reminder that there is a new system (see article below dated 12/30/09) for the National Hire List. Furthermore, ALL people that are considering a transfer to Fort Wayne and other facilities should make sure they are on the list. This information is for nonskilled employees.

Congratulations to our new Vice President Michael Marcks. Michael was elected by acclamation on 1/5/10.

Benefit Hours: The UAW/GM Benefit Office located at General Motors is open regular hours 9:00 a.m. -3:30 p.m. Phone number is 756-3613.

1/05/10: Information from Southwest Wisconsin Workforce Development
Are you thinking of starting your own business, but aren't sure where to begin? Do you own a small business, but want to become more comfortable overseeing the day-to-day operations? Or, does the idea of being your own boss appeal to you? If so, you may want to participate in an upcoming entrepreneur training program. This winter and spring, the Southwest Wisconsin Workforce Development Board, in conjunction with the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater's Small Business Development Center, will offer the Entrepreneurship Hub (E-Hub) program in both Janesville and Beloit.

Founded in Green Bay with support from the Reggie and Sara White Foundation, the program's motto is "Building Communities of Entrepreneurs." The E-Hub program not only teaches participants how to become well-rounded entrepreneurs, but also connects them with other like-minded individuals from their community. The program includes six half days of classroom training, as well as one-on-one coaching/counseling with the facilitators, as well as networking and outreach activities. The first session will kick off on Feb. 10 in Janesville and Feb. 11 in Beloit. In addition, classes will be held in April and May 2010.

If you are a dislocated worker from any industry, you may qualify for tuition assistance for the E-Hub program. Space in the program is limited, and other requirements and qualifications may apply. For more information on the E-Hub program, visit www.entrepreneurhub.org or www.urbanhopegb.org. To inquire about the Janesville and/or Beloit E-Hub offerings, please contact Eric Kuznacic, SWWDB Business and Employer Services Manager, at (608) 741-3502.

12/30/09: National Employee Placement Center: All members of our local should be aware that the National Employee Placement Center (NEPC) shut down starting December 17th, 2009...Thursday. The NEPC will be re-opened on Jan. 11, 2010.

This means that anyone in the system as of Dec. 17th will be locked in to their choices for placement to other facilities. You will not be able to make any changes to your current selections after the 17th either.... until Jan. 11, 2010.

Any job opportunities to be filled from Dec. 17th and thereafter will utilize the last application on file in the NEPC. If you do not have your name in the system as of the 17th, you will not be able to access the NEPC to apply for placement at other facilities until Jan. 11, 2010.

To make changes to your current selections, add your name to the system or remove your name, please call the NEPC at 1-800-NAT-HIRE. Starting Jan. 11, the new NEPC will be a web based system. You should be receiving a letter from the company regarding these changes.

Copy of letter you should receive Instructions to access Socrates

12/16/09: Regarding overpayment letters.
The overpayments are correct. This happened because of the Federal increase of $25.00. The computer program was not designed to handle this, so they had to figure how they were going to process this. They could have just stop payments for five or six weeks to get this resolved or continue with overpayments included. I'm sure that continuing was the correct decision.
At the same time they got new tax table charts from the Stimulus Act to apply, so if you are comparing your net amount from your pay statements keep this in mind.

Choose the way you want to repay. If you have a question about this call 1-800-489-4646 Layoff Benefits. Their are 1800 copies of this letter on my desk, so it involves just about everyone.

John Kosharek
UAW 95 Benefit Rep.

12/15/09: Regarding New Ruling on "Extended Coverage for Dependents" signed by Gov. Doyle. Does this affect us?
This question is coming more frequently as various states take actions to define eligibility criteria for health care plans offered within their states. The GM Health Car Plan operates as an employer welfare benefit plan. As a result, GM's health care plans are governed exclusively by federal law (ERISA) and the application of state law is preempted, meaning that the state law does not apply. So, the ineligibility rules for the GM Health Care Plan are unaffected by the Wisconsin state law and remain as defined in the CBA. (This is from the Director of Health Care Plans, General Motors Corporation.)

12/02/09: President Dohner has received the following letter regarding the health care bill currently in debate on the Senate floor.

Dear John Dohner,

The Senate has begun debate on health care reform legislation,
the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. This bill would
take major steps to address the crisis in the U.S. health care
system. Specifically, it would:

-- Guarantee most Americans access to affordable health
insurance coverage.

-- Implement market reforms to prevent individuals from being
denied coverage because of pre-existing conditions, and to limit
premium differentials based on age and other factors.

-- Reduce costs for individuals and businesses by establishing
exchanges to facilitate coverage in a cost-effective manner,
eliminating most uncompensated care, and reforming delivery and
provider payments systems.

However, the UAW and other unions are deeply concerned this
legislation would impose an excise tax on health care plans
whose costs exceed certain levels. This tax would affect tens of
millions of workers, including many UAW members. Instead of
curbing "excessive" benefits for corporate executives, it
actually would have a discriminatory impact on plans that cover
older workers and retirees, or workers in high-cost regions or
high-risk occupations.

This unfair new tax is likely to force cutbacks on important
health care benefits now enjoyed by millions of Americans, such
as dental and vision care. It will also increase co-pays and
deductibles for medical care.

Instead of imposing a new tax on working families, the Senate
should substitute more progressive financing mechanisms. This
includes requiring employers and wealthy individuals to pay
their fair share.

Please call your senators right away. Urge them to support the
overall health care reform bill, but to oppose the unfair excise
tax on health care benefits. Emphasize that this misguided
proposal will simply force companies to eliminate or reduce
health care benefits that currently cover millions of workers.
Tell them to support amendments that would eliminate or scale
back this tax on workers' health care benefits.

You can use the following toll-free number to call your
senators: (866) 960-0611.

Thanks in advance for your assistance on this priority issue.

11/30/09: Attention Active GM Members Regarding Transition Support Program:
People with less than 10 years of seniority from their layoff date will be exhausting their 26 weeks of Sub-Pay. Letters with instructions and explanations have been sent. Once you exhaust your Sub Benefit, you will have to file weekly applications as described in your instructions. You cannot file weekly until you receive your Wisconsin unemployment payment for that week because you need to show proof of your gross amount of unemployment. This means you will need to fill out a Multiple Week Application for Transition Support Program (TSP) application and make a copy of your Unemployment Statement showing the gross amount received (if you copy the check after taxes, it will not work); it must show gross. For you to receive your TSP weekly payment, these two items must be sent to: GM Benefits & services Center, PO Box 5078, Southfield, MI 48086-5078 or fax to 1-313-230-7492. The CISCO number on the application should be #48027.

Weekly TSP Elections: Additional blank applications can be downloaded from www.layoffbenefits.com/gm. This process will be necessary until such time as development can be completed to the system paying TSP. You will receive a letter when the development is complete.

Lump Sum TSP Elections: When you receive all available SUB weeks, please complete and return the enclosed application to receive your lump sum payment. Your lump sum will be processed within one to two weeks following receipt for the completed application. Pease note: the Lump Sum Election is a Voluntary Quit.

11/30/09: Local 95 has a few of the UAW/GM jackets remaining. A $25 donation will enable you to get a jacket. Money collected will be distributed to the local food pantries. Sizes are limited (Note: we have no X-large left).

8/12/09: ATTENTION UNIT#1 MEMBERS that are receiving offers to transfer to Fairfax-Kansas City. If no one answers the phone listed on your transfer, on the second page there should be a fax number. If you wish to accept your transfer, sign it, date it and fax it to the number listed on the transfer.

8/11/09: ATTENTION UNIT #1 MEMBERS: If you are interested in putting in for a transfer, weigh your options carefully and only apply for the plants that you seriously would consider accepting. If you received a transfer letter, the system will not offer you another transfer until you start the process over and reapply.

08/01/09: We have been told for those of you who are collecting unemployment, you can now sign up online at www.ucclaim-wi.org to have taxes deducted from your unemployment checks. This could possibly save you paying additional taxes at the end of the year.

6/8/09: FYI: Regarding the recent SAP offer for GM employees. Click here
for details as outlined in the SAP letter: SAP Letter II.

5/13/09: Veteran's Wall of Honor: The Veteran's Wall of Honor that was displayed in Heritage Hall at General Motors has been moved to the Union Hall. If you have your name plate and would like to see it back on the Wall of Honor, drop it off at the Union Hall and we will make sure it properly displayed. For those of you that do not have a name plate and would like to see your name displayed on the Wall of Honor, stop at the Union Hall and fill out a form. Any UAW Veteran, active or retired, is eligible to have his/her name displayed on the Wall of Honor.