UAW Local 31

I want to thank the membership for electing me to be the newest Shop Chairman for Local 31.  I appreciate all your support and for participating in the voting.  I am looking forward to a successful future for all UAW employees at the Fairfax Plant.

I am also looking forward to meeting and working with everyone on making this Local Union one of the best in the UAW.  On February 19 I had the pleasure of addressing my first Retiree Chapter Meeting.  I’m happy to be able to bring information about the plant to this wonderful group of people who have led the way for us.

*SUB and Unemployment.    Anyone who still has issues should bring them forward to our Benefits Office to be addressed.

*Unemployment Investigations – at this time 40 employees are being investigated for receiving unemployment or sub benefits after returning to work.  This is a serious issue.  It is important that you cancel unemployment or sub benefits upon returning to work.

*Malibu Sales.  As we have seen, the current Chevrolet Malibu is not performing as well as anticipated in the market.  This has been the reason for some of the scheduled downtime that has been taken.  GM is addressing the Malibu sales by enhancing certain aspects of the vehicle.  They are also working closely with the Marketing team to increase customer awareness of the vehicle.

*Investment Announcement – in January, GM CEO Dan Akerson visited our plant to announce a $600 million investment for the addition of an all new paint shop and replacement of the middle press in the Stamping facility.  This announcement indicates a long future for the Fairfax Plant in Kansas.
 

*Transfers – People are transferring to other GM plants.  I want to thank all of these employees for their hard work at Fairfax and wish them luck on their future endeavors.           

In closing, I would like to again thank the membership for allowing me to serve all the members of Fairfax.  I know there is a lot of work ahead, but with everyone’s support, we are going to make Local 31 a better Union. 

I look forward to seeing everyone at the next Union meeting on March 16.                    

Thank you,
Jorge Rodriguez,
Shop Chairman, Local 31

Local 31 welcomes all questions, ideas and concerns.
To reach your chairperson in the plant, call 913-573-7776
or contact the Union Hall, Monday – Friday
7:30am – 4:30pm at 913-342-7330.