Photo: JIM PARKS/UAW LOCAL 245    

    The 2007 UAW Ford National Salaried Negotiating Committee

Ford Salaried Negotiators Win Improvements in Economics, Vacations and Representation

Dear Ford Salaried UAW Member:

Your UAW Ford National Salaried Negotiations Committee entered this set of bargaining against the backdrop of hard economic times in the auto industry, particularly at Ford Motor Co. Despite this difficult bargaining environment, our goal was not only to strengthen our contract in several critical areas, but also to protect the gains we’ve made in previous contracts.

We believe this proposed four-year contract has accomplished our goal and is worthy of your vote in favor of ratification.

In Solidarity,
The UAW Ford National
Salaried Negotiations Committee

Up-Front Lump Sum to be Paid

All active, full-time UAW Ford salaried workers will receive $750 up-front lump-sum payment upon ratification of this proposed agreement.

Wages, Hiring Improved for Supplemental Nurses

The proposed agreement increases the base wage for supplemental nurses from $24 per hour to $28.

Representation Rights Won

The proposed agreement will allow for salaried workers to become UAW members if a new unit is established. If a new unit is formed, Ford has agreed that these workers can be covered under the collective bargaining agreement.

Negotiators also agreed to language that would allow for a full-time union representative to handle members’ benefit issues.

Vacation Purchase Now a Part of Contract

UAW Ford salaried workers will have the opportunity to “buy” up to two weeks of vacation from the company under the current Flex Benefit plan. The union now has the right to contest a denial to purchase vacation to Labor Affairs.
All other vacations and holiday benefits were maintained without changes.

Duration and Ratification

The proposed four-year agreement will expire Sept. 14, 2011. The proposed changes in the agreement between the UAW Ford salaried workers from ATO, Body Engineering, Laboratory Workers, Manufacturing Engineering, MPG, all represented Central Medical Services and Ford Motor Co. will not take effect until ratification and then only on the appropriate dates specified.

Voluntary Salaried Separation Plan Language

UAW Ford salaried workers at any time can request from the company a severance package with lump-sum payment and insurance. The company will consider these requests and decide on an operational-needs basis.

Salary Inequities Continue to be Addressed

The UAW Ford National Salaried Negotiating Committee continues to recognize that some of our members at the lowest end of the pay scale need to have their pay levels brought up. The committee won an agreement that will allow salaried units to address historically low pay scales in their units.

Negotiators also won a new salary schedule with ranges that will be increased to reflect the competitive markets for all represented classifications. Employees whose pay is below the minimum in this new schedule will have their salaries adjusted accordingly.

Payroll Problems to be Promptly Resolved

The committee won language to address the problems of payroll mistakes that have led to situations where our members have had to wait weeks or months for a resolution. Those inquiries will now be responded to within one week of an employee’s request.

Nursing Education and Training Improved

Our negotiators took steps to make sure our nurses receive adequate training and continuing professional education. Under the proposed contract, nurses will have the opportunity to take courses — at company cost — to hone their skills in emergency medicine. The company also agreed to pay for the minimum number of state licensing board-approved hours for license renewals. These classes will be taken on company time, with the company paying related fees and travel expenses. Advanced Cardiac Life Support and/or basic Trauma Life Support classes, while not required by the company, can be taken at company cost as part of a nurses’ continuing education to maintain their license.

The company also agreed to language that allows our nurses to attend the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses annual conference at company expense, if financial conditions permit. Attendance at the conference will be based on the size of the unit and previous conference attendance.

Gains Made in Job Security

Our team improved job security in a number of areas, including winning a commitment from the company to meet monthly to discuss local developments affecting sourcing so we can better make a business case to retain work and bring work back into our worksites.

Central Supplemental Nursing Pool

An agreement was reached to establish a supplemental nursing pool as an alternative to using outside agencies to fill vacancies.

ACH Nurses Win Hiring Priority at Ford

A new letter gives consideration to UAW nurses at ACH facilities for hiring consideration for nursing vacancies in Ford medical facilities.

New Salary Classifications Won

New classifications in this contract for Michigan Proving Ground (MPG):

• Flexible Driver Instructor
• Lead Performance Test Technician

The following apply to Sterling Heights only:

• MFG Engineer A, B, C
• MFG Technologist A, B
• MFG Process Engineer A, and Senior
• Ind. Control Analyst A, B
• Environmental Control Engineer A

Lead Performance Test Technician

A new position will be established within the Michigan Proving Ground (MPG) to be a “working” lead position. The technician will ensure the self sufficiency of their area and maintain the entire key measurables as summarized within the Safety, Quality, and Delivery, Cost, Morale and Environment approach.

Improved Protection for Non-Exempt Employees

Negotiators won language that keeps non-exempt workers from being reclassified as exempt if there is a change in a governmental regulation defining job classification. This language is designed to protect our overtime by preventing the company from arbitrarily classifying employees as exempt.

Protection Won While on Union Leave

Workers who are on union leave will continue to receive pension credits and merit opportunities under language in the proposed contract.

Reinstating Grievances

Salaried negotiators won the right to have a grievance reinstated at the same level at which it was settled if the UAW International Executive Board, the Public Review Board or the Constitutional Convention Appeals Committee determines the settlement was improperly conducted.

Contract Stays if Company is Sold

Salaried negotiators maintained language that keeps our bargaining agreement in effect if the company is sold. The successor must assume the obligations of this proposed agreement.

 

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