Welcome to Meatballs
Meatballs is a newsletter put out occasionally at the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant (SHAP) of DaimlerChrysler.
It is mainly directed to the skilled trades but many issues are relevant to all union members in the plant, the corporation, industry and society.
The name Meatballs comes from an incident shortly before the publication of the first issue when a memo from a supervisor leaked out. In the memo he referred to the trades as "Meatballs" who had no business being involved in plant decisions.
In addition there are some useful documents
Viewing the issues requires Adobe Reader available free from www.adobe.com
Direct any comments to Mike Parker meatballs@rts-tech.com
Reality of Contract Negotiations
Goodbye Letter
Lessons of
Safety Issues following an accident
Respect
Wishful Thinking at the Gates of Hell (Cerberus Purchase of Chrysler)
Smear tactics in the election
Report of Bargaining Convention March 07
UAW agreements at Ford Transmission Plants
Recently two Ford Transmission
plants (
UAW Convention Reports to Local 1700 membership
The 1700 delegation is preparing a consensus report. Here is one proposal. When the consensus report is completed it will be posted here.
Convention Minority Report by Mike Parker, delegate
UAW agreements for Engine Plants 4/06
Rather than organizing UAW locals to bargain together to resist the company's assault, the International is helping the company slice up the union.
Delegate Election Leaflet March 2006
UAW Chrysler Dept. agreement on new Dundee Engine Plant in Monroe Area 1/03
Before any workers are employed the UAW has agreed with the Chrysler-dominated joint venture to a 5-year (renewable 5 more years without a vote) agreement. Among other things it provides for outsourcing major traditional work, collapsing classifications, a single classification in machining which will do all operation and maintenance, no overtime after 8 hours, etc. It appears authentic, but I can not vouch that it is the last version, that it includes all agreements, or that it has not been tampered with.
Proposed Jeep Contract 12/03
Agreement provides for outsourcing the body and paint shop, 4 ten-hour days, 8 year contract etc. This has had some circulation on the Internet. It appears authentic, but I can not vouch that it is the last version, that it includes all agreements, or that it has not been tampered with.
Important sections of the 2003 DaimlerChrysler/UAW contract not included in the highlights
The UAW endorses and will help DC management press for its wish list on reorganization ranging from team concept to TPM. The contract also includes a letter (MOU-3)--not shown here-- endorsing and applying the principles of Lean Production to the Parts Distribution Centers .
The UAW agrees to give the company flexibility in imposing work schedules
Rosa Parks.
Teamster Elections.
Plant Training Improvements.
Don't sign off on what you don't do.
Training: Setting us up for Failure; Corporate's Alternative to Trained Skilled Trades; Our responsibility.
"Off with their heads" management.
Increase Technology, Cut Trades?, Poor Quality will not Save Plant
Management's strategy to cut the trades.
Plant Limps Along, Bush and Unions, Local Contract
Management Layoff Strategy; More on Lockout
Victor Reuther
Is it Management Strategy or Stupidity?
New Lockout Instructions
Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) coming to SHAP
Discussion about union participation in a plant "Throughput" committee
Why management's using the "Harbour" numbers destroys even small possibilities of working together
How management's vision differs from a union vision of a good plant
"Secret" management plant comparisons
Outsourcing & Contracting Out
Union busting at UAW organized
Accuride plant in
Safety Glasses
Safety Lockout
Issues in skilled trades delegate election
Management overtime baloney