Presidents Report
By
Charlie Gangarossa
UAW Vice President Bob King Visits
UAW Local 897 and Buffalo Stamping Plant
On December 14, 2009, UAW Vice President Bob King, who is expected to become the next UAW President, along with members of his staff Jim Williams and Jodey Dunn, visited Buffalo Stamping Plant. A meeting was held with our Local Union Executive Board, Shop Committee and members of the Retiree Chapter. UAW Region 9 Assistant Regional Director Scott Adams and Region 9 Servicing Rep. Ed McGowan also attended the meeting. The meeting was held at the former Family Center by the Union Hall.
Brother King and the leadership of the Local Union then met with the Plant Manager and his Operating Committee for about an hour, where many ongoing local issues were addressed and he made it very clear that management needs to resolve the issues with the local leadership at once.
Vice President King and his staff were pleased with the tour of the plant and also took the time to speak to members working on the floor. Our members expressed their feelings and asked questions about new products and jobs, and the planned closing in 2011 of St. Thomas Assembly Plant. They informed brother King of their concerns on how the plant is being managed by the current management team at BSP, and they also questioned the future of Ford Motor Company and Buffalo Stamping Plant.
After the plant tour, Vice President King had the opportunity to speak to members off the floor from the 2nd and 3rd shifts, where concerns were expressed and then a Q&A took place. Brother King was impressed with the membership’s honesty and their loyalty to the Union, but yet disappointed that his schedule did not allow time to meet with the 1st shift members.
As President of the Local Union I was proud to have Vice President King visit Buffalo, it gave him the opportunity to see what is really going on in the Stamping Business Unit where management has created many issues in all the Stamping facilities that need to be addressed and resolved.
The Local Union leadership is making every effort to resolve all ongoing issues or will be forced to take all necessary actions needed.
AMERICA IS A UNION! GOD BLESS AMERICA!