UAW Contract Ratlification
2/15/2008

The collective bargaining agreement between Local 155 of the United Automobile Workers and Detroit Chassis LLC was successfully ratified on Friday, February 8, 2008.

This was a major accomplishment for all Detroit Chassis employees and paves the way for four additional years of accomplishing our shared commitment to excellence in everything we do.

The prior collective bargaining agreement contained an expiration date of January 8, 2008. Bargaining for the new agreement officially kicked off on Friday October, 12, 2007. Bargaining sessions were held at Detroit Chassis as well as the Local 155 Union Hall in Warren, Michigan.

Although many hours were devoted to planning for the bargaining sessions, both sides were presented with many challenges in crafting a new win/win collective bargaining agreement. There were many issues that were important to both parties.

Some of those issues were the representation, grievance procedure, management’s rights, seniority and employee evaluation provisions contained in the prior collective agreement that became effective August, 26, 2004.

More challenging were the economic issues such as wages, employee benefits, vacation time off and holidays.

As the bargaining representatives were closely approaching the January 8, 2008 expiration date without the framework for a new agreement an extension to the current agreement was agreed upon. That extension was for an additional thirty days and was scheduled to expire on February 7, 2008. Bargaining sessions intensified in early December 2007 and during January 2008. Both parties were keenly aware of the complex issues that remained unresolved and its impact on the entire Detroit Chassis community including employees, customers and suppliers. The bargaining parties for both Management and the Union continued to seek solutions to each party’s goals in achieving a win/win local agreement.

On the afternoon of Friday, February 1, 2008 a tentative agreement was reached thanks to the hard work and dedication of the Local 155 bargaining team and the Detroit Chassis management team. We can now direct our full attention to our shared value of win/win outcomes for all employees of Detroit Chassis LLC.

GREAT WORK TEAM!

Jerry Williams, Sr. Manager - Human Capital

Contact: Linda Ratliff, 313-571-2100 x 506, lratliff@detroitchassis.com