Skilled Trades Protections Strengthened
Skilled Trades Relocation Eligibility Expanded
Skilled-trades members who have relocated as production workers will no longer be required to return to their skilled-trades classification in order to be eligible for skilled-trades opportunities at other plants.
Die Engineering Services (DES)
After years of contesting manage- ment’s improper application of new technology, UAW negotiators gained significant work elements for the skilled trades previously assigned to non-represented engineering at the Die Engineering Services (DES) location.
New Technology Review, Input and Training
Advancing technology has created, and will continue to create new and complex problems impacting the work of UAW-represented GM workers.
To further improve the job security of UAW skilled-trades members, the UAW Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship Committee will now meet at least twice a year with management to review any new technology introduced across multiple locations that may impact UAW-represented workers.
The Local New Technology Committee will also have regular meetings with a defined agenda that will include a training matrix and greater opportunity for union input into any new or advanced technology for their location.
The UAW addressed the need for training that is directly associated with advanced technology. To reduce the use of outside contracting and improve job security, UAW skilled-trades workers will receive specialized training to maintain their level of expertise for each evolution of new upgrades.
Preproduction Operations at GM Tech Center
Our union was able to make significant inroads in securing additional global preproduction work that would otherwise have been subjected to subcontracting by the Global Regional Engineering Centers.
Vehicle Development Process at GM Tech Center
Our bargaining team expressed concerns that information regarding entire vehicle build programs and related work schedules were not adequately shared with the UAW representatives at the GM Technical Center.
As a result, the corporation agreed to advanced discussions with the Shop Committee relative to preproduction vehicles and work schedules that will now be held approximately 40 weeks prior to the Integration Vehicle Engineering Release (IVER) build. This will provide greater input from the skilled-trades bargaining unit and more opportunity to secure additional bargaining unit work.
Supervisor Training Reviewed with Shop Chair
To improve management’s familiarity with skilled trades’ work and assignments, contract and new supervisors responsible for skilled trades’ activities must review work assignments and other appropriate UAW skilled-trades work practices, agreements and training. Management must also review with the shop chairperson the material and schedule prior to the delivery of the management training.
Standardized Audit Process
UAW negotiators secured agreement to add additional skilled elements to the existing skilled-trades audit process. This was done to ensure the agreements are applied uniformly and consistently across all locations and to prevent attempts at whipsawing.
Warranty Work
In an effort to preserve work and gain new jobs, our bargaining team gained agreement that management will advise the local union not only of the type and duration of warranties on equipment referenced in paragraph 183(d), but must provide full disclosure, including a training and transition plan for skilled-trades personnel to assume these responsibilities.
This applies to both current and future warranties for plant equipment. As currently agreed, the UAW may pursue alleged abuses of this understanding through the provisions on subcontracting.
Paragraph 183 Strengthened
Our bargaining team demanded more advanced input into decisions regarding the subcontracting of UAW work and greater opportunities to obtain additional new work. As a result, a uniform advanced discussion process was agreed to with an outside contractor checklist that must be used in all instances where subcontracting of skilled-trades maintenance, tool, die or weld tool work is contemplated.
The checklist provides the local union with a complete review of all the relevant factors related to the contracting which must be fully considered before a contract is awarded.
In addition, where agreements can be reached, management should pursue the feasibility of using excess employees from Area Hire plants on project work under review.
Alternative Work Schedules for Skilled Trades
During these negotiations, there was considerable discussion over the issue of improving competitiveness through adopting best practices for skilled-trades maintenance operations. As a result, the parties agreed to consider alternative schedules for skilled-trades maintenance crews.
It was agreed that local parties may jointly develop alternative work schedules unique to their location. If the schedule is agreed, the parties will also develop a process of implementation after approval by the UAW GM National Skilled Trades and Apprentice Committee.
1,500 New Apprentices
The UAW bargaining team was successful in gaining a commitment from GM to hire 1,500 new apprentices over the term of the agreement.
Computers to Support Apprenticeship Program
To retain the integrity and confidentiality of the apprentice program, while enhancing the administrative functions, the union insisted that the apprentice chairperson receive a computer with the apprentice administrative program software.
No Consolidation of Apprenticeable Classifications
Our bargaining team successfully resisted the corporation’s attempt to consolidate the apprenticeable trades. Local unions will be encouraged as before to review existing work rules and will have the opportunity to develop self-managed skilled-trades teams.
Joint Training Funds
The UAW and GM agreed that Joint Training Funds shall cover a National Apprentice Conference for the purpose of educating and updating Local Apprentice Committees.
Whipsawing Prevented on Normal and Historical Work
Our bargaining team was successful in retaining the normal and historical work function for local unions by establishing parameters around what is appropriate for discussion at the local level.
Precision Toolboxes for Retrained Journeypersons
Journeypersons permanently reassigned to a different apprenticeable skilled-trades classification will receive an appropriate precision toolbox if it is required within their new classification. This toolbox will not duplicate any similar toolbox that the member may have received under the terms of any other national or local provisions.
Tool Allowance
$350 Allowance for Tools for Retrained Journeypersons
At the insistence of UAW negotiators, it was agreed that current journeypersons being voluntarily retrained for a different apprenticeable trade will receive a $350 allowance at the midpoint in his/her training program for purchase of tools unique to the new trade and required to perform job assignments. This allowance will not duplicate any similar allowance/grant that the employee might subsequently receive.
Tool Allowance – New EIT
Employees permanently placed as an Employee-in-Training (EIT) for the first time after the proposed agreement goes into effect will receive a maximum allowance of $500 to purchase tools, books and supplies. An initial $200 will be provided at the time of the EIT placement. An allowance of $100 will be paid during each six months of continuous work until the total allowance is exhausted.
Tool Allowance Adjustment
Effective Sept. 15, 2007, each journeyperson in a skilled-trades job classification will receive a tool allowance of 20 cents per hour added to the base rate.
Additional One-Time Increase in Apprentice Tool Allowance
Apprentices entering the program after the proposed contract goes into effect will receive a one-time tool allowance of $200 to be distributed in $25 installments for each of the eight periods of the program. Current apprentices will receive a prorated portion of the $200 based on their remaining training periods.
For example, an apprentice with one training period remaining will receive one payment of $25. An apprentice with five training periods remaining will receive $25 each period, for a total of $125.
Retraining Tool Allowance
During these negotiations, UAW bargainers raised concerns that management is not fulfilling attrition replacements in many non-apprentice-able classifications, leaving the classifications susceptible to subcontracting.
To prevent subcontracting of these work functions, it is suggested that the local parties review their current non-apprenticeable skilled trades to discuss folding them into an apprenticeable trade(s). Skilled-trades workers affected by the change would be eligible for a $700 tool allowance.