Attn:  UAW Local 249 Members 

UAW Local 249 Bulletin
Christmas Holiday Shutdown Period

 Paycheck Distribution

Paychecks for Pay Ending (PE) 12-20-09 will be distributed as they normally are on Wednesday 12-23-09 for those who are scheduled to work on that date.  All others may pick up their paychecks for PE 12-20-09 after 12:00 noon on Wednesday 12-23-09 in Plant Security.  Paychecks for PE 12-27-09 may be picked up after 9:00 a.m. in Plant Security on Thursday, December 31, 2009. 

 Taxable Benefits

The Company is required by law to report to the IRS the amounts paid annually for Group Life Insurance that exceeds $50,000 in coverage as well as the amount paid annually for UAW-Ford Legal Services for all UAW-Ford employees.  These amounts are considered taxable income and for most, this amount for Group Life Insurance* was listed as part of the employees gross wages and taxed at the applicable rate on paychecks for Pay Ending (PE) 11-28-09.  For most, the amount paid for UAW-Ford Legal Services is listed as part of gross wages and taxed at the applicable rate on paycheck for PE 12-13-09. 

*Please note that these amounts are determined by the employee’s age and tax status indicated on their W-4 Form that they have requested the Company use in determining their weekly tax withholding from their paychecks and therefore they may be different amounts for each employee.  

 More Buy-Outs

The National parties have agreed to make Buy-Out and Retirement Incentive packages available again to all U.S. employees.  The open window period for these packages began December 17, 2009 and will continue through January 22, 2010.  The same packages are available as the last offerings with the exception of the Education Opportunity package.  Employees must be eligible by February 28, 2010.  Interested employees must make application for packages in the Hourly Personnel Office by January 22, 2010. All applications will be irrevocable unless terminated by applicant prior to close of the open window period on January 22, 2010.  Approved applicants will be released or separated by March 1, 2010 at the latest. 

 December and January Union Meetings

As in years past, the December and January Union meeting have been combined and will be held on January 24, 2010 beginning at 2:00 p.m.  Due to Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Day this meeting has been scheduled for the fourth Sunday rather than the third Sunday of the month which is normally the case.

 Non-Promotional Transfers Sign Up

Seniority employees interested in an opening to a labor pool classification, either within their department or in another department, may sign up for a non-promotional transfer during the month of December. The non-promotional sign up book will be available in Hourly Personnel or Labor Relations through December 23, 2009.  Should openings occur in the department selected from January 1 through June 30; those employees will be surveyed by seniority to fill the labor pool openings.  You may only make one selection and a classification change is required.  For example, Assembler Chassis classified employees in Truck Chassis can not select openings that occur in the Assembler Chassis classification in SUV Chassis because it doesn’t require a classification change.   Making a selection to SUV Paint is not allowed as there are no labor pool jobs in this department.  It is important to follow the instructions on the inside cover of the sign-up book. 

 Cross System Overtime Sign Up

Cross System Overtime sign ups will be held beginning on Monday, January 4, 2010 through January 31, 2010 whereby members may express interest in working supplemental overtime across system lines (SUV to Truck or Truck to SUV).  You may sign up in Labor Relations or Hourly Personnel.

 Supplemental Receiving Inspection Sign Up

Employees classified Receiving Checker (HI-LO) or Inspector Final who are interested in supplementing the Receiving Inspection department may sign up beginning January 3, 2010 through January 31, 2010 in Labor Relations or Hourly Personnel. 

Bereavement Pay

In the unfortunate event of a death should occur in your family during the Christmas shutdown and you are covered under bereavement, and you’re not scheduled to work, you must take your bereavement time immediately following the Christmas shutdown holiday.  It would be a good idea to confirm your eligibility with Labor Relations before taking these days off.

Holiday Pay Rules

We have received numerous questions regarding holiday pay for employees on Alternative Work Schedules (AWS).  The confusion is understandable.  All employees who are not scheduled to work the second week of the Christmas Shutdown period, including those assigned to an AWS, will be paid 40 hours holiday pay.  Below are examples of how the first week of the Christmas shutdown will be paid for employees assigned to a traditional or 3-Crew AWS. 

Traditional- First Week of Christmas Shutdown*

*Hours worked in excess of 8 are paid at time and a half rate assuming employee does not have an absence which is applicable under the 40 hour rule. 

First Week of Christmas Shutdown A-Crew Total 48 hours straight time*

*Assumes employee doesn’t work in excess of 10 hours daily.  Hours in excess of 10 daily are paid at time and a half rate.
 

First Week of Christmas Shutdown B-Crew Total 40 hours straight time*

*Assumes employee doesn’t work in excess of 10 hours daily.  Hours in excess of 10 daily are paid at time and a half rate.

First Week of Christmas Shutdown C-Crew Total 40 hours straight time*

*Assumes employee doesn’t work in excess of 10 hours daily.  Hours in excess of 10 daily are paid at time and a half rate. 

Although C-Crew employees would otherwise be scheduled to work on Saturday and Sunday, they are not scheduled to work December 26^th and 27^th and will not receive pay as these dates are not considered as paid holidays.  However, to avoid disadvantaging C-Crew employees, the Company has agreed to pay them 28 hours straight time for hours worked and holidays plus 12 hours straight time for 40 hours straight time total rather than 12 short work week benefit as otherwise would be the case.

There are several possible scenarios which determine how Skilled Trades employees assigned to the D & E Crews are paid during the Christmas Holiday period.  To avoid further and unnecessary confusion we are suggesting these employees contact their District Committeeman for the applicable explanation of how they will be paid for their specific downtime schedule. 

  Disability Pay at Unicare

 As many of you know the disability process changed with Unicare.  To start a medical claim, you must now contact Unicare first at 877-475-9652.  This call not only initiates application for accident and sickness pay, but also Unicare contacts the Medical Department at KCAP to start a conditional leave which helps protect your employment at Ford.  At the conclusion of this call to Unicare, you must request a claim number; Unicare will not give one without you asking and it is proof that your claim was processed.  We encourage ALL members to request this claim number, protect it, it could save your job and your disability pay.

 Employee Discounts  
 

Employee Network has moved to a new home! The new www.at.ford.com website is now a central location for information including daily updated news and discount marketplace, benefits and more.

This web site lists information about all the employee discounts that are available to both active and retired members.