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Good Bye 2009
Tim Booth
2009
has not been the most pleasant time for many of us. We have seen as
many as 130 of our Sisters and Brothers on lay off during the course
of the year. We have battled through a contract extension and the
frustration of the uncertainty surrounding the 50,000 Ton Press
rebuild. We continue to survive in one of the worst economic down
turns that our country has been through. I could probably make a
list of things not so good that would be as long as my arm but it
has not been all doom and gloom lately.
In November the company
did secure financing for the rebuild of the 50,000 ton press. Many
of our Sisters and Brothers have been recalled due to new work that
the Company has received. FSW and CVW wheel orders have picked up,
Small Aero has received new work from Oshkosh and hopefully this
will turn into a long term deal. Large Aero of course has the JSF
work and is continuing to ramp up for that. Also with the rebuild of
the “50” gearing up, the Company has committed to a schedule that
should see all of our laid off Skilled Trades people back to work by
May 2010.
Economists are saying
they are starting to see a rebound in the economy. Hopefully this
will occur very soon, industry will pick up and this will result in
recalling all of all our Sisters and Brothers.
With all its trials and
tribulations, I will be glad to see 2009 gone. Most of all I am
proud of all of our members for battling through these tough times.
I am optimistic by the promise of ushering in 2010 and what it
will/may bring.
I would like to wish all
of you and your families, Happy Holidays. Please, as you sit with
your families during the Holiday Season, remember to keep those that
are less fortunate than yourselves in your thoughts.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
Timothy O. Booth
Recording Secretary, UAW Local 1050
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