Local 1695 celebrates 30th anniversary

Local 1695 and Emily Whiteman are celebrating a 30th anniversary.

Both started out at the same time. This UAW local in Lansdale, Penn., was chartered in April 1970, and Emily Whiteman, a charter member of the local, still works in the training office of the Visteon North Penn plant.

With its union hall located in the heart of Lansdale’s downtown, Local 1695 represents 1,250 active and 826 retired workers from the former Ford Electronics plant on Morris Road.

The North Penn plant was dedicated in June 1990, replacing a facility that dated back to the 1930’s. North Penn workers build automotive electronics for Ford, Mazda, and Toyota, and non-automotive products for other companies.

Local 1695 members produce over one million components a day, ranging from electronic engine control modules to line power units for Honeywell’s 75-kilowatt turbo generators.

The local’s standing committees are highly active. The women’s committee raises money through various raffles for Tabor House, an agency that provides services for disadvantaged women. The civil rights committee works closely with Visteon’s diversity committee to ensure that the membership receives a joint message. The Local 1695 recreation committee runs a Christmas party each year for members’ children and grandchildren as well as an annual summer picnic at a local amusement park. Union and company also participate together in a joint UAW-Visteon softball team and bowling league.

Local union meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month with the executive board meeting on the third Wednesday.

Local 1695 is also very proud that its retired workers’ remain an integral part of the union through their chapter. They plan many activities throughout the year ranging from picnics to multiple day trips. They are also very helpful when the local needs to get people out for rallies and phone banks.

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