Looking for a little information..

[Timalon]

What is the name of your state? Louisiana

I work for Guide Corporation in Monroe, Louisiana under UAW Local 1977. I've worked in this lighting facility since October 17, 2002 and had to wait until March 2005 to gain my seniority which dates back to the October of hire. Upon gaining my seniority my wages were cut by approximately $9 an hour excluding an additional $2 cola creating a two-tier wage within my plant. Recently we were informed by management and UAW that our plant is to close by June 2007 and that a majority of the employees, myself included, were to be laid off December 17, 2006. UAW International representatives have been in negotiations with Guide Corporation concerning our buy-out package. Hopefully this is enough background that you can perhaps help with my questions.

1. Is it normal for general membership to not be allowed a vote on such a contract negotiation? My shop-chair has told me that only the shop committee will be able to vote.

2. Recently it has come to light that Guide Corporation perhaps was never fully spun off from General Motors [url]http://futureoftheunion.com/?p=3471[/url] , my main questions revolve around this and the contract negotiations. With the SEC investigating Guide Corps President, and with GM's "newfound" attachment to Guide Corporation, do you see any extra bargaining power for UAW officials? There are general rumors about recieving backpay for the wages that were cut when gaining our seniority and the such, would there be any actual basis for this that you can see at all?

I guess I'm just asking that if the link between GM and Guide will benefit any package I can hope to recieve. We're being kept in the dark by both sides on this and there are lots of unanswered questions. Just hoping you could help. Thanks in advance for anything comments at all you can give.

Timalon

[LSCAP]

1. In theory the shop chair or Committee, is like senators or congressmen, a selected representative of the members. So they are the ones to vote as your individual rep. Something that is not usually fully realized by the members in normal contract negotiations.

2. Again in theory. Yes there should be extra bargaining power. Any agreement could affect other parts of the company in the event of future layoffs and closings. (Precedents) Management knows this and bargains tougher, and Union knows this and bargains tougher. (Theoretically)

3. Rumors not answered. If the rep verifies rumors, members will believe it is a ‘done deal”. They should not answer these questions as they really don’t know what will happen.

I would worry more about reps that come around and verify rumors.