I am pleased to announce that Air Transport ratified their Local agreement in the first part of February by 83%, and we are well into the preparation for the Edison Institute negotiations that will kick off in April.  August of this year will also bring negotiations at Troy Design as well. 

I am also pleased to let you know that Local 245 will be participating in the UAW week at Cedar Point in Sandusky Ohio in July this year.  This will include a near 50% discount on tickets for UAW members and your families to attend one of two weeks at Cedar Point.  We are pleased to be in partnership with other UAW locals in Region 1-A as well as Cedar Point to be able to bring our members a great discount for family fun.  Details will be released soon and bulletins will follow with information on how to obtain the tickets.

I am excited to be spearheading the plans along with the chairs of the standing committees, to celebrate the 50^th Anniversary of our local 245 union hall.  The hall was dedicated on May 18, 1958 by President Leon Schroer.  We will be hosting an Anniversary Open House and Re-dedication ceremony on May 19, 2008 at the Local.  Details will be forthcoming as we solidify the plans. 

Finally for now, please keep our brothers and sisters and their families at American Axle Local unions in your thoughts and prayers as they continue the battle to ensure middle class rights.  They have been on strike for 5 weeks now, if you are interested in helping in strike duty contact local 245.  Thanks for stopping by our website and I will talk to you again very soon.