UAW negotiators keep our voices heard in quality; win significant improvements

Your bargaining team was mindful that our input in the quality process remains a major factor in the turnaround the corporation achieved. Your elected negotiators resisted attempts by the corporation to water down our input in quality issues by having management’s Global Manufacturing System (GMS) overtake the duties of the joint Quality Network.

We know that when we have a say in quality, it works best for everyone, especially our customers. Negotiators insisted on and won language that keeps the quality structure in place. The UAW-GM Leadership Quality Council will continue to provide direction and support for the implementation of GMS through its annual Quality Network Objectives and Goals. (See contract page 290.)

Our suggestions to be heard more efficiently through Web-based reporting

(See contract page 527.)
Our suggestions submitted to the Quality Network Suggestion Plan will be heard and acted on much more quickly thanks to new language. Negotiators pressed the company for a Web-based system to allow for faster and easier submission, processing, tracking and reporting of suggestions made from the shop floor. Within 90 days of ratification, a joint committee will review a Web-based computer system to replace the current system.

UAW to have say in modernizing communications

(See contract page 518.)
UAW members know we have to use new communication methods to change the misguided perceptions about our products and services. Negotiators won language that uses the Quality Network to employ various forms of social media, community events, mobile phone applications, newsletters, open houses, plant tours and internal communications to promote our products and people. The Quality Network Communication Action Strategy will be updated to ensure that social media policies set at the joint Quality Network level are being carried out at the local level.

Vehicle Promotion and Assistance Contact (VPAC) improved

(See contract page 285)
The VPAC program communications will be transitioned to an electronic medium to make sure members are quickly notified about sales promotions, vehicle information and vehicle concerns. The company also committed to updating awareness training and manuals for the VPAC program.

Quality Network Planned Maintenance Study Joint Teams to strengthen relationship between CHR, plants

(See contract page 526.)
At the start of these negotiations, the corporation sought to end or limit our input in a number of areas, including Quality Network Planned Maintenance and our input into the Maximo system. Your negotiators rejected this attempt to reduce our input and instead won language that commits the company to a joint study on increasing QNPM’s value to the plants. Topics in this study will include but will not be limited to Capacity Assurance Coordinators, Predictive Maintenance Technologies, Maximo and continuous improvement of QNPM to support world-class manufacturing.