I hope everyone realizes the importance of the August 8 primary. It is the first step in choosing the best candidates to help us take back the Michigan house and senate. I urge the membership to give strong consideration to the UAW-Community Action Program endorsed candidates. Your CAP representatives studied the issues important to working people and made their decisions based on where the candidates stand on these issues.

In Michigan we have been subjected to a very anti-worker legislature which has support from the governor. If we are to have an impact on policy and laws in the years ahead, we must support those candidates who support us. And we must do more than just talk. Try to find time to actively work for a pro-worker candidate. A few hours stuffing envelopes or calling people can make a difference. If you want to help, but aren’t sure how, talk to your local CAP committee or call the nearest regional office. Most importantly, make sure you vote on election day.

I have been elected to attend the national Democratic convention as a voting delegate. I am very proud to be able to represent the UAW and have a voice in candidate selection and drafting of the party platform.

Negotiations

We are pleased that as of June there was only one GM/Delphi plant that has not reached a local agreement. This puts us far ahead of recent years. We have negotiated good agreements that will protect our workers far into the future. I would like to thank the local leadership for an outstanding job.

IPS locals have also been busy. Lear Seating in Mason, and RSDC and Tech Mar in Lansing have just successfully negotiated their first agreements. As of the writing of this article, we have reached agreement with Venture. This caps a 10-year struggle to win a contract with this plastic parts supplier.

I am also pleased that the Sparrow Hospital workers in Lansing elected their first bargaining committee in May and have started negotiations. I would like to welcome the 2,600 Sparrow workers to our union, and thank everyone who helped in that organizing drive.

Labor Day

Once again this year we will be celebrating Labor Day at both the annual Detroit Labor Day parade, and the Labor Day picnic held at Crossroads Village near Flint. There will be free admission for UAW members and their families. Last year over 5,000 people attended. This year, make sure you celebrate this day dedicated to working men and women with your UAW family and friends. If you would like more information on either event (or you’d like to volunteer), call your nearest regional office.

Next: Assistant Director's Report