UAW Local 1111 Indianapolis, Indiana

UAW Local 1111 comprises of the following committees. Click the links below to read about the functions of some of the committees:

Members: Art Adams, Diane Davis-Secretary, Becky DeSantis, Patty Smith, Brenda Smith, Mary Sue Murnan, Tamara Davis, Sam DeSantis, Blaine Smith, Steve Ballard, Debbie Malott, Patty Staten, Liaison-John Fippen

The Community Services Committee performs the important task of getting help for members and their families in time of need. If being there to assist when an emergency, natural disaster, or even just hard times strike is something you feel strongly about, then this is the committee to give your time and effort to. Some examples of community service activities include:

The Community Services Committee works through public and private organizations to assure that members faced with problems in emergency situations get relief when needed.

Generally, strike insurance benefits are handled by this committee when local union are forced to demonstrate their economic strength, This committee serves as the local’s link with the community as we all work together to help those in need.

Members: Jim Lewis, Sam DeSantis, Becky DeSantis, Tamara Davis, John Fippen, Brenda Smith

The Citizenship and Legislative Committee, most often referred to as the Community Action Program (CAP), is the worksite political-legislative arm of the local union and is the vital workplace political activator. If you believe that the people we elect greatly impact the political climate for working families and you want your voice heard, then this is the committee to join. CAP committee members work on identified key issues adopted by convention action.

These issues are given priority based on, among other things, urgency and geography. We support candidates who support and fight for our trade union agenda. The CAP committee assists in voter registration and get-out-the-vote drives, dollar drives, letter writing campaigns, and publicizing the issues and positions of public officials. This is the committee for hands-on political experience that allows you to grow and learn and take part in legislatively implementing our labor and social agenda.

Building the power of the movement through education and training union members is the responsibility of the Education Committee. Members of this committee determine the needs of the membership and provide classes, material and information based on these needs. In many subject areas “on the shelf” programs exist that can be delivered to your members. Materials are developed on such issues as:

Programs can be developed on topics of interest. If you are committed to providing education that informs, develops skills and motivates our leadership and members, this is the committee for you.

FROM YOUR CIVIL RIGHTS COMMITTEE:

We must think of Life as a journey.

Let us think of ways in which we can make the journey
more pleasant for others as well as for ourselves.

Let us remember that life’s journey is good.
It is thrilling and it can be made beautiful if we do our part well.

Happy Holidays!

Sheryl Johnson, Chairperson
Civil and Human Rights Committee

Members: Anthony Becks, Sheryl Johnson, John Kiel, Willie Owen, Pam Pettiford, Liaison-Mike Browning

The Civil Rights Committee is an essential guardian of the “No Discrimination” policy of our union. Members of this committee fulfill the local union’s commitment to assure members full rights regardless of religion, race, creed, color, sex, political affiliation, national origin, age, sexual orientation or handicap.

The committee informs members of steps and procedures, including filing complaints and hearings, whenever a member or members believe their rights have been violated, either by management or other union members. The committee works toward the elimination of discrimination in the workplace, the community and the nation. Members of this committee have the opportunity to keep the local union moving forward toward the fulfillment of our UAW commitment on the civil rights front.

This committee needs members who feel a moral obligation to speak out on the issues of intolerance, injustice and bigotry and to rebuke any person or group that expresses such activity.

The bylaws of each local union, with the UAW Constitution, set out the rules by which the local operates. In a new local, the work of this committee sets the stage for how the local will function. But, even well-established locals may need to modify or amend their bylaws.

Members of this committee are responsible for submitting original and/or amended bylaws provisions to the local union membership for discussion and approval. This committee monitors the required local union bylaws amendment procedure to ensure compliance with the current bylaws and constitutional provisions.

Once the amended bylaws provision(s) has been approved by the local union membership, this committee monitors the process to ensure that the amendment is immediately submitted to the International Executive Board pursuant to Article 37, Section 3 of the Constitution. Join this committee to strengthen your local union’s bylaws and structure.

Members: Eric Fenwick, Becky DeSantis, Sam DeSantis, Angie Chisholm, Brenda Smith

Activities:
Basketball Team Leaders - Alonzo Miles and Ray Beverly
Golf Team Leaders - Roger Tuterow and Mike Chitwood
Softball Team Leader - If you are interested contact Jim Lewis
Fishing Team Leader - Randy Cartright
Bowling Team Leader - If you are interested contact Jim Lewis

This committee provides a variety of opportunities that fall into two categories. Recreation, which includes leisure time activities, and Conservation, which includes environmental concerns.

It has been proven that in today’s busy work environment people need to combat stress with quality family and individual leisure time activities. If you enjoy organizing events such as bowling leagues, hunting trips, sporting events, team sport competition and the like, then the Conservation and Recreation Committee could be your committee of choice.

This committee is also an avenue to explore if clean air, clean water, developing parks and other environmental concerns are of interest to you. The Conservation and Recreation Committee challenges are not limited to your neighborhood or state, but are as widespread as national and global issues that affect us all.

UAW Local 1111 Bylaw Article XIV, Section 2 (b) The Excuse Committee shall consist of five (5) members to investigate, examine, rule and obtain records of absenteeism and report to the membership at the next monthly meeting. A member of the Excuse Committee shall not hold two (2) elective offices. The Committee shall cover all activities of absenteeism pertaining to local business and representation at any level.

Members: Nick Duda, Shelly Griffin, Nick Duda, Rex Smith, Kevin Mosier, and alternates Pat Duda and Tim Webster

The Election Committee shall consist of five (5) members, elected at the regular membership meeting prior to the nominations held tri-annually. All Election Committee members, participating in an election will be paid all lost time incurred at their regular rate of pay, not to exceed three (3) days, and will be paid actual lost time away from work. No additional pay shall be given except for the Chairman, who shall be allotted four (4) days.

The Election Committee shall have complete charge of the election. The Election Chairperson shall have access to check-off lists of all members not in good standing for all elections. He shall be responsible only to the membership of the Local Union. The Election Committee shall be governed by the International Constitution, the Local By-Laws and the instructions of the membership.

The Election Committee shall meet with the By-Laws Committee prior to all elections. The By-Laws Committee shall inform and instruct the Election Board on all pertinent laws governing elections.

The Consumer Affairs Committee members believe that the labor movement should monitor the social conscience and performance of companies in order to provide safe and honest products and services. This committee educates members on issues that affect all consumers, such as:

If you are interested in keeping the membership informed on various consumer protection activities and legislation, this is the committee that needs you.

There have been a couple of things in the news over the past week that I would like to share with you. This weeks’ Business Week Magazine, August 18-25, 2003 contains an article titled “Outsourcing Jobs: Is It Bad?” The story refers to this nation’s economic recovery, while illustrating the weekly loss of high-paying, white-collar jobs. Yes, white-collar jobs are being exported halfway around the globe to places like India, China, or the Philippines. Why should we, the members of Local 1111 of the UAW find this interesting?

There was also an interesting article in Wednesday’s Indianapolis Star titled “Governors set to share woes.” You are aware that Indy is hosting the governor’s conference this weekend.

What does this mean to us the members of Local 1111? Our committee has an opportunity to get more and better jobs for the membership if we stand united behind them. Our national and local committees will have to be innovative and creative, to keep jobs here. Right now the nation is watching, what the UAW is able to get for its membership is important to the nation’s economy. Let’s stay UNITED.

An effective Union Label Committee supports the labor movement by informing and educating members about the products we buy as consumers. This committee helps to emphasize the importance of supporting those goods and services produced by union members under union-won working conditions. The Union Labor Committee keeps members informed of union products and availability of these products in the community.

This committee also helps bring to the attention of our members those products produced under non-union conditions and by anti-labor manufacturers. Committee members identify items that are on the “boycott” list and encourage rank and file support of these boycotts.

The work of this committee need not be limited to personal consumption. As citizens, we can demand that tax dollars be spent on quality, union-made products including cars, buses and the like.

Members: Earl Jeffries, Dan Ballard, David Sims, Darrell Jackson, Kevin Roberts, Nick Duda, Pat Duda, Becky DeSantis

The Veterans Committee seeks members who are willing to represent the interest of all active and retired UAW veterans and their families. This committee is dedicated to advocating for the political and social concerns of Veterans. This is accomplished thorough leadership, guidance and education on matters of concern, such as:

The men and women, who came to the aid of our nation when they were called upon, are a valuable resource to the entire labor movement. If you want to build and enhance the dignity that all Veterans have earned by serving their country, the Veterans Committee encourages you to participate.

            Soldier Name
          Mailing Address
          Picture if possible
          YOUR name, dept # and shift

Earl Jefferies-Hilo, 2^nd shift, area 3 (Chairman- Veterans Committee)
Nick Duda – Pipefitter, 3^rd shift, Area 3
Becky DeSantis, 2^nd shift, 222 Line
Pat Duda, 3^rd shift, Pump Room
Amy Ellis at Union Hall

*** We can’t send them packages to cheer them up if we don’t know who they are***