Re: The local contract for Marion's General Motors plant was turned down in a Tuesday vote -- The Solidarity Message Board

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Date Posted: 12:09:41 11/14/03 Fri
Author: moderator
Subject: Re: The local contract for Marion's General Motors plant was turned down in a Tuesday vote
In reply to: moderator 's message, "Re: Contract Talks?" on 19:48:52 11/01/03 Sat

Local GM pact nixed again
Work rules main obstacle to new contract
By BRETT CORBIN
bcorbin@marion.gannett.com

------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the third time in as many tries, the local contract for Marion's General Motors plant was turned down in a Tuesday vote. Employees said approval appears to remain distant since little progress was made in this vote compared to the previous two attempts.
It is uncertain when the next vote on the local contract will happen. The main stumbling block on the path to approval, employees have said, is a team concept section of the contract that many production workers feel will lead to job cuts.
A team concept at other GM plants alters negotiated work rules in favor of the development of worker teams responsible for product quality and production. Attempts by local union officials to change the minds of the production workers have been unsuccessful.
Officials with the UAW Local 977 and GM officials once again declined to comment of the failure to satisfy the rank and file at the plant.
Until a contract is passed, workers are without a local contract. Marion's plant is not the only one. Fort Wayne's GM plant, which makes full-size pick up trucks, also has not ratified a local contract.
Still, some are optimistic that the contract will pass eventually.
Tom Tomlinson, a maintenance worker at GM for 20 years, said he hopes the fourth time is a charm.
"They'll probably send in the international," he said referring to higher up officials from GM and the UAW. "They'd better do something."
The failure to pass a contract sends a negative message to GM headquarters in Detroit, workers have said.
Tomlinson said the team concept portion of the contract is unpopular because it is seen as a way to shift people around and to "just do away with people."
Mark Butcher, a skilled trades worker for 15 years, said he feels the two sides are close to finally agreeing.
"I think they just need to work out a few minor details," he said. "I don't think it's plant threatening."
Butcher said he thought the local contract was going to pass during this week's vote.
"I just don't think the communication is there," he said. "The two sides need to talk."

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