Other
Improvements to the ADAPT Program
The ADAPT program (Accommodating Disabled People in Transition), Document 121, was further enhanced. ADAPT is a voluntary program that enables workers with disabilities or restrictions to be retained at work, or returned to work from sick leave or workers’ compensation leave to a job within their physical abilities.
Increased emphasis will be placed on job searches for seniority employees. A joint review process will be implemented at each UAW-represented facility to identify work that can be performed by the UAW workforce with restrictions and/or disabilities.
A training and certification process to improve job-related skills for the ADAPT representatives will enhance their ability to place seniority employees with disabilities or temporary restrictions in meaningful work.
A formalized process will be developed to document statements of undue hardship and unreasonable accommodation. In cases where an employee cannot be placed, management must justify that job modification is unreasonable or an undue hardship to the corporation.
Transition for Sanitation Workers
Past and ongoing whipsawing by GM has reduced both the number and the wages of sanitation workers in UAW GM facilities. The proposed agreement allows GM to exit specific sanitation functions by January 2009. UAW GM workers who currently occupy these jobs will be offered opportunities to transition to other work in their facility. If no alternative jobs are available, the worker will be “red-circled” and the job vacated through attrition.
In allowing GM to rely on contractors for sanitation work, we have won a commitment that these contractors will pay their workers well above a living wage and respect their right to join the UAW.
Job Offers to Delphi Workers
GM confirmed that Delphi workers will be made job offers in accordance with the UAW-Delphi-GM Memorandum of Understanding Delphi Restructuring.
Legal Services Maintained
Your negotiators ensured that the Legal Services Plan was maintained in this agreement. All current plan benefits will continue unchanged.
Measures will be implemented to improve the process of applying for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits (SSDIB) through the Legal Services Plan.
Sale of Business
GM reconfirmed to the union that any sale of an operation as an ongoing business would require the buyer to assume the 2007 UAW-GM Collective Bargaining Agreement. The company agreed to do so in the case of any such sale during the term of the agreement.
AOL Discount Discontinued
The current program that provides AOL Internet service at discounted rates will be discontinued. UAW GM active and retired workers have the option to maintain their AOL accounts and e-mail addresses at standard prices.
Dues: A Constitutional Matter
Dues are determined by UAW Constitutional action and are not a subject of negotiations. Dues are based on the principle that they reflect each worker’s cash income, normally two hours pay per month. Lump-sum cash payments are subject to dues because they too represent cash income, and are assessed at the traditional rate of 1.15 percent, which is equivalent to two hours pay per month. As a result, the 1.15 percent dues rate will be applied to settlement bonuses, performance bonuses and profit-sharing payments.
Duration and Ratification
These proposed changes in the proposed agreement will not take effect until the tentative agreement is ratified by a majority of our respective membership, and only then on the appropriate dates specified.
The new agreement, if ratified, would run for four years and would expire at midnight Sept. 14, 2011.
UAW GM Report
This report was prepared for the UAW General Motors Department, Vice President and Director Cal Rapson, by the UAW Public Relations and Publications Department. This is a summary of the tentative agreement. In all cases, the actual contract language will apply.