CONTRACTS
NUMMI, GEMA workers ratify pacts
Members of UAW Local 2244 ratified a new four-year contract Aug. 9 with New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. (NUMMI) by an 80 percent margin.
The agreement covers about 4,000 workers at the Fremont, Calif., assembly plant, a joint venture of Toyota and General Motors.
“UAW Local 2244 members work hard every day to make NUMMI’s Fremont
assembly plant one of the best in the industry for product quality, productivity
and customer satisfaction,” said UAW Vice President Nate Gooden, who directs
the union’s NUMMI Department. “The new contract recognizes their
contributions to NUMMI’s success.”
Contract highlights include a $3,000 up-front settlement bonus, along with monthly
pension benefit increases for future retirees and an annual lump-sum bonus increase
for current retirees and eligible surviving spouses.
“Throughout these negotiations, UAW Local 2244 members stayed strong and united. Their solidarity and support were key in winning this solid new contract,” said Jim Wells, director of UAW Region 5, which covers California and 16 other states in the West and Southwest.
Teamwork at GEMA
A commitment to teamwork is an important concept for UAW Local 723 workers at the Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance facility in Dundee, Mich.
“Our contract helps cement the total relationship,” said Kathy Straub, a bargaining committee member. “What could be better than that for teamwork and partnerships?”
That’s what the 78 workers at the world-class engine facility kept in mind when they negotiated their first contract.
The alliance, known as GEMA, is a partnership between DaimlerChrysler, Hyundai Motor Co. and Mitsubishi Motors Corp. Together the automakers produce a family of small four-cylinder gasoline engines.
It’s an innovative approach to engine production and a melting pot of cultures using best practice manufacturing processes, automation and techniques that leverage each company’s strengths.
Another distinction is that there are only two classifications at the plant: skilled and production. And in these times of downsizing, GEMA projects growth. It expects to increase its workforce to about 250.
Workers say part of the alliance’s collective strength now includes their six-year UAW-GEMA contract with a grievance procedure, seniority system and provisions that give members benefits from UAW DaimlerChrysler and the right to address GEMA issues separately.
“Our contract is definitely an important part of that relationship,” said Don Kingery, who chairs the UAW GEMA bargaining committee. “It’s a commitment to our mutual interests and to making sure our members have job security and workplace protections.”
