Q&A - Your
source for "Rumor Control"!
Current Q&A - January, 2007
NOTE : for submissions prior to August
5th, 2008 click on the "Q&A Archive" link above
Submitted date
09/24/08
Q)
Why does it take so long to get
answers to questions answer; theres no one there to
answer the questions. that and this local really has no answers.
tell the the truth
Response date
10/09/08
A) Not sure what the
question is that you want answered, other than the time table
for answering questions. Yes it does take a while to answer
questions on this site, but may ask your questions directly if
you would like.
In Solidarity - Brian Martin,
President - UAW Local 696
Submitted date
09/24/08
Q)
If your plant preference is West
Chester and you are skilled trades, is it likely that you will
be forced back to work sooner than if your plant preference is
James Group?
Is there a local agreement already in place at either the James
Group or West Chester? If not, will they be made separately or
will one agreement cover both plants?
If you are not protected under the 7 year seniority guarantee,
will you be accruing any GM seniority at either plant once you
begin work there?
Response date
10/09/08
A) The time table is
somewhere before the end of the year for those that want to go
to SPO and possibly after the first of the year for JGO. No
definate dates for either due to the variables, volumes,
differences in work, training, etc.
We are taking steps toward a local agreement, however, a better
understanding of the work is needed to go into full
negotiations. We believe there is strength in numbers therefore
we believe one agreement would be better.
You will accrue plant seniority, but not pension credits, if you
do not fall under the 7 year guarantee.
In Solidarity - Brian Martin,
President - UAW Local 696
Submitted date
09/25/08
Q)
Has anyone as of TR. the 25th of
Sept. 08, gotten their buyout from delphi Needmore plant?
Response date
10/09/08
A) Yes buyout checks
have been coming as of the last week of September. 4- 6 weeks
was told to us originally and that puts the time table around
mid October at the latest.
In Solidarity - Brian Martin,
President - UAW Local 696
Submitted date
09/26/08
Q)
After reading the last couple of
replies it sure sounds like Brian Martin has an attitude! Oh and
isn't all the full paid ($30. plus) skilled trades guys doing
the work at the hall?
Response date
10/09/08
A) I believe those union
brothers who donate their time should be acknowledged. Anyone
who truly knows me knows where my heart lies, not in attitudes,
but in doing to the best of my ability what is right for our
members.
In Solidarity - Brian Martin,
President - UAW Local 696
Submitted date
09/26/08
Q)
why dont you all keep this webpage
updated...seems to me there could be better comunication to
members, exspecially people on stand by....
Response date
10/09/08
A) This webpage will be
updated according to priorities as stated before. Everyone on
standby is fully represented, our goal is to get everyone back
to work. I believe the proof of representation is the fact that
you can remain at home, not at work and receive 40 hours pay.
This alone in today's dismal economy is proof that your Local
and International Union are looking out for you even when your
home. I am proud to know that vacuuming the floor and cooking
breakfast are union jobs as well.
In Solidarity - Brian Martin,
President - UAW Local 696
Submitted date
09/29/08
Q)
when are the retirees going to get
the raise and back pay that has been promised every since last
year.an honest answer will be appreciated sometime this year
Submitted date
10/03/08
Q)
I received a letter in August from
GM stating that the increase for Delphi retirees would start Oct
1,2008 and be retroactive to Oct 1,2007. Oct 1 is now past and I
still have not received anything. Is there any information about
this situation ?
Response date
10/09/08
A) My understanding,
according to International Union, is that there are
approximately 20,000 Delphi retirees that are affected by this
situation. On October 1st 2008 around 13000 of these retirees
were paid. There are still somewhere around 7000 that have not
been paid. According to the International Union the remaining
retirees will be paid either on November 1st or December 1st
2008.
In Solidarity - Brian Martin,
President - UAW Local 696
Submitted date
09/12/08
Q)
the picture question was
sarcasim.it just proves the point that someone can ask real
questions that deserve answers in a timely manner but are
overlooked for questions like why havent pics been updated. and
that you will answer them over the tough questions.
Response date
10/02/08
A) Every question is
responded to in a timely matter. Some are attached to previous
posts if they have been answered in the past. Questions are
never prioritized.
In Solidarity - Brian Martin,
President - UAW Local 696
Submitted date
09/15/08
Q)
I am a former member who recently
took the buyout!!! Thank you all very much for that by the way!!
Now if I am not mistaken we (those who took the buyout )were
encouraged to file for unemployment. In doing so who am I to say
was my employer? Delphi or G.M.?? and when asked what my start
date was do i refer back to my original hire date?? Thanx for
your prompt response!!
In solidarity
Always 696 brother
Response date
10/02/08
A) It is my
understanding that since your last paychecks (while on standby)
were issued by GM that your last employer would have been GM.
Your hire date would be synonymous with your seniority date.
Thanks for your support, even as a severed employee.
In Solidarity - Brian Martin,
President - UAW Local 696
Submitted date
09/18/08
Q)
i took the buy out but have
medical bills i need to turn in for reinbursment. its my
understanding that we dont have a benefits rep in the dayton
area. how do we file to get our money back? can we drop these
off at the union hall? hopefully i get a response soon. Thank
you, sincerily broke and hungry
Response date
10/02/08
A) Please call the union
hall and request a Benefits Rep. at 937-228-2142.
In Solidarity - Brian Martin,
President - UAW Local 696
Submitted date
09/18/08
Q)
I posted a question a month ago-no
response. Are we not responding or does anyone know? I haven't
been able to get thru to the union hall for a very long time.
When I call is says mail box unavailable. My question was are
we eligible for unemployment? I was told to file in September.
Even though those who took the buyout, in my opinion should get
that unemployment. The plant CLOSED-bottom line-not our fault!
and if we can't get unemployment, for the 39 or 26 weeks, we
should at least get it for the 4-8 weeks we have to sit with no
income between the stand by pay stopping and until we get the
buy out money in October. That's 4-8 weeks people will go with
no income. If I get approved, because I did file. I hope
nothing happens because I'll go to court-I will not re pay. If
someone would answer my question on here, I wouldn't have to
worry about thinking that may happen. Trying to cover my ass
and get what's entitled to me-so is there anybody out there to
respond? thanks a bunch!!!!!!!
Response date
10/02/08
A) In response to your
comments about contacting someone, the union hall is open M-F
from 7:30-3:30 every week. Tamra, our bookkeeper, Brian Cole,
Tony Curington, Benefits Rep, or myself are there answering
phones during these hours every week. In response to
unemployment it is encouraged that you file, however, as this is
posted the petition for unemployment has not been granted. To
comment on the delay from standby to buyout money, it was told
to everyone considering this buyout option that it would take
4-6 weeks to receive this money. This was communicated in order
for the membership to know that there would be a period without
pay, so adjustments to their budget could be made. Another
option would have been to remain gainfully employed by GM, in
order to continue to receive continual paychecks. Local 696 has
a duty to inform its members the best it can, however, Local 696
doesn't issue buyout checks or claim to be the unemployment
office.
In Solidarity - Brian Martin,
President - UAW Local 696
Submitted date
09/20/08
Q)
can anyone tell me when we will
receive the next buydown check or did they take that away ?
Response date
10/02/08
A) It has been conveyed
to me through International, that our buydown is due the pay
period following the October 1st.
In Solidarity - Brian Martin,
President - UAW Local 696
Submitted date
09/18/08
Q)
Greetings. I am a Benefit Rep,
Local 211, GM Powertrain, Defiance, Ohio. We have a member who
hired in GM in1979 and worked for Delphi for a couple of years,
around the 1998 - 2000 time period. This member has a credited
service issue. Fidelity says because of his brief amount of
service with Delphi, all previous service with GM "converted" to
Delphi time. I am trying to obtain contractual language about
this issue. I have been unable to reach anyone by phone - keep
getting a recording that "all circuits are busy". Thank you for
forwarding this to Benefits. Many thanks for your assistance!
Response date
10/02/08
A) Your information will be
conveyed to our Benefits Department. I can be contacted at Local
696 Union Hall at 937-228-2142.
In Solidarity - Brian Martin,
President - UAW Local 696
Submitted date
09/10/08
Q)
What is being done to address the
needs of the JCI members that have been and will be loosing
their jobs. Why can't we get the same considerations that the
Delphi members?
Response date
10/02/08
A) A meeting was held at
the union hall several weeks ago, that pertained to language on
voluntary layoffs for JCI members. There are also constant talks
between myself , the International Regional Rep, as well as
Martin Williamson and the bargaining committee. These
discussions involve many issues that relate to the situation at
the JCI facility. A good place to convey concerns or to discuss
these issues would be at your monthly membership meeting held
every third Sunday of the month at your Union Hall. I
strongly encourage JCI employees to attend this meeting every
month during these difficult times.
In Solidarity - Brian Martin,
President - UAW Local 696
Submitted date
09/10/08
Q)
We use to get handbils passed out
to keep us informed, why are we not receiving any communication
from the leadership?
Response date
10/02/08
A) There are updates on
this website pertaining to all of the membership. If information
needs to be conveyed to the membership that is plant specific, a
handbill will be passed out.
In Solidarity - Brian Martin,
President - UAW Local 696
Submitted date
09/18/08
Q)
Why does it take so long to get
answer to questions on this site. You can't get anyone at the
union hall because there is never anyone there.We can't even get
you to post who our leadership is or how to get in touch with
them. You insinuate that you are busy representing the
membership,how many members do we have,350? how in the hell did
you guys ever represent 1500 members? where is the
representation that we are paying dues for.what is so hard about
putting their pictures,names and phone numbers on this site. Are
we getting what you promised us when you were wanting our vote?
Response date
09/30/08
A) The word union
references that everyone is involved. Your volunteered time like
mine would be greatly appreciated.
In Solidarity - Brian Martin,
President - UAW Local 696
Submitted date
09/04/08
Q)
Why are they still taking vacation
time out of are checks. I just got mine today with the pay
ending date 8-31-08. Also they are not paying the money. Who do
I need to talk to?
Thank You
Response date
09/30/08
A) Vacation was taken
for the second week of shutdown. If you had none but recieved a
check for that week, that money will be removed from your check
in consecutive weeks. Many different situations has arose
from this issue. In order to get an exact answer, please contact
your benefit rep. at 228-2142.
In Solidarity - Brian Martin,
President - UAW Local 696
Submitted date
09/10/08
Q)
I notice that your response to a
lot of questions is to call the union hall.Everytime i call the
hall i can never get to speak to anyone because they are
busy,not there,in a meeting and if you leave a message, no one
ever calls you back. i can't see why that questions cannot be
answered on this site or why we can't get in touch with our
represenatives.I know they have cell phones, why can't they be
called directly?
Response date
09/30/08
A) The Union Hall is open
M-F from 7:30-3:30, the phones are always answered, messages are
always conveyed, you can even show up in person.
Representatives such as myself may be at JCI, Jamestown, JGO, or
SPO or all of the above at any given day. There are also
committeeman that are at each unit as well. It is never
the intent of Local 696 to not be of assistance. The best
way to contact any and all reps. is to contact your Union Hall
or ask questions at the monthly membership meetings.
In Solidarity - Brian Martin,
President - UAW Local 696
Submitted date
09/10/08
Q)
is the james gruop a gm plant.
Response date
09/30/08
A) James Group Inc. is
its own company, but the employees that are housed at JGO are
leased from GM by JGO. Therefore they are GM employees working
for JGO.
In Solidarity - Brian Martin,
President - UAW Local 696
Submitted date
09/06/08
Q)
Is there any word of exactly when
the buy out checks will be sent to us.
Submitted date
09/11/08
Q)
BRIAN MARTIN OR BRIAN COLE
ARE THEY EVER GOING TO GET OUR DHECKS STRAIGHTENED OUT IM STILL
GETTING 14.43 AND HR. AND WHEN WILL THEY BE CALLING ME BACK TO
WORK AT JAMES GROUP,,,,,,4TH TIME ENTERED THESE QUESTIONS AND NO
RESPONSE
Response date
09/30/08
A) As stated previously,
the issue regarding 14.43 vs.14.87 will be adjusted and back pay
will be granted for the lost wages. It has recently been
reported to me that some have been fixed(date 9/28/08). The next
group to JGO will report no earlier than the end of October.
In Solidarity - Brian Martin,
President - UAW Local 696
Submitted date
09/21/08
Q)
Has there been a specifc date for
when we will get our buyout checks?
Response date
09/28/08
A) No, some have started
to receive them already. However there is still a 4-6 week
expectation.
In Solidarity - Brian Martin,
President - UAW Local 696
(A submission was received that did not contain a question. Due
to the information contained in the message it is going to be
posted.)
Thank you for your
comments.
In Solidarity - Jamie Vaughn, Webmaster - UAW Local 696
Submitted date
09/16/08
I must first thank GOD, from whom all
Blessing Flow. I was hired (2006) as a temp. with a lot of the
folks airing complaints or praise on this site. In my 30plus
years of being gainfully employed this was one of the better
jobs I've ever had.
Here's my reasons for reaching this conclusion: UAW was there
providing representation when I was late, UAW successfully
directed me when I needed an extended leave ASAP (without
quitting my job)-Thanks Sue, UAW stepped up time after time
rescuing the young folks around me with work related issues when
there job was in jeopardy.
This two year job was a Blessing for me. NO employer will
give you a severance of $70,000.00 after TWO YEARS of employment
(if you so chose that option), along with a fully paid summer
vacation. Please be mindful of all the UAW does and still do for
us when you submit questions.
THANK-YOU, to all UAW-696 Elected and Appointed Officers.
Especially Brian#1
Submitted date
09/10/08
Q)
Why does it take so long to get
answers to questions.?
Response date
09/12/08
A) Your chairman, Brian
Cole, travels from JGO to SPO daily, he has also spent countless
hours answering the needs of the members at the Union Hall.
He is also involved in repairs being done to the Hall as well.
There are many issues being addressed by your Bargaining
Committee and Chairman every day. Keep in mind Cole
receives no money or incentives for doing these duties. These
duties are done, in my opinion, because Brian Cole truly cares
about his Local Union and its members. Your President, in
addition to the duties that Brian Cole holds, also has
responsibilities with JCI and Plastech (Jamestown) as well.
These members of Local 696, as well as, members at JGO and SPO
are experiencing very trying, and difficult times. These
needs, I feel, are far more pressing than the posts. I do
believe these posts are very important to our members, however,
and require your leaderships attention as quickly as possible.
Please be patient in the future, and we will be as expedient as
possible on these posts. If you have a question that needs
to be answered ASAP please call the Union Hall at 937-228-2142.
In Solidarity - Brian Martin,
President - UAW Local 696
Submitted date
09/01/08
Q)
Is September 15 still the date for
then next James Group to start training? Or when will the next
call be?
Thank You!
Response date
09/03/08
A) James Group has
pushed back their next date, tentatively till the first week of
October.
In Solidarity - Brian Cole,
Delphi Shop Chairman - UAW Local 696
Submitted date
09/02/08
Q)
its nice to know your priorities.
havent changed cause i have asked a couple of good questions on
this site but once again you refuse to answer the real questions
thanks for nothing
Q) Are there new pictures of the new
executive board to be posted yet?
Response date 08/22/08
A) This is a good point, and has been brought up several times.
We will up date this as soon as possible.
In Solidarity - Brian Martin, President - UAW Local 696
Response date
09/03/08
A) Our priorities are A)
getting members back to work B) helping our members at JCI and
Plastech (Jamestown) get through layoffs C) Dealing with SPO and
JGO on issues that affect our members D) painting the hall and
immediate and emergency maintenance E) trying to come up with a
budget in which Local 696 can afford all these things as well as
our bookkeeper. F) preparing to organize some indirect labor
forces surrounding JGO and SPO. These are our top
priorities, if getting these pictures posted is as urgent an
issue as you make it seem, set aside some of your time, bring
your digital camera to the hall. We will help you call the
new officers home to schedule a time. This union belongs to all
of its members. With Local 696 becoming a smaller local, people
like you, that see things that need to be addressed, should step
up and help out.
In Solidarity - Brian Martin,
President - UAW Local 696
Submitted date
08/05/08
Q)
So, GM was supposed to pay us our
rate that we were earning at Delphi until we start work at West
Chester or The James Group, but they changed it at the last
minute. And to add insult to injury GM ended up taking our
vacation time for the second week in July even though we were
told they would not. If you had no vacation time left, guess
what, you get to pay back that 40 hours?! What is going on?!
Does GM want to piss us off at every opportunity? Is any of this
negotiable or is it set in stone?
Response date
09/03/08
A) These are all issues
that have been negotiated by International and corporate.
In Solidarity - Brian Cole,
Delphi Shop Chairman - UAW Local 696
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