2001 Year in Review

Dear Member:

The year 2001 was filled with emotion and anxiety for the membership.  Layoffs were announced and then cancelled.  An offer to purchase Newport News Shipbuilding by parent organization General Dynamics Corporation was announced, challenged and ultimately declared inappropriate by the Pentagon.  We experienced the loss of two long time servants to Local 571, Trustee Ed Ward and Civil Rights Chairman Charles Granville.  Our nations' vulnerability was exposed by the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.  Through all of this our membership displayed their generosity through donations to the September 11th Relief Funds and the Electric Boat Community Service drives.

The overwhelming ratification of a new collective bargaining agreement that will provide renewed security.  New job opportunities will allow our members to utilize their experience and expertise throughout the corporation.

In as much as 2001 exposed us to feelings of anxiety, remorse and vulnerability, it also reinforced solidarity and patriotism.  Let's all look forward to 2002 with rekindled spirit and energy.  Have a safe and happy holiday season and "God Bless America".

JANUARY

• Product Model Enhancement Committee formed after the Company approached the Union with a plan to eliminate 2-D drawings.
• President Olsson met with engineers from Avenel to discuss coordination of design and engineering work on the Electric Drive Project.
• Representatives from Maine Maritime Academy provided ACT tests to students who lacked them.

FEBRUARY

• UAW Skilled Trades Department assessed various Local 571 work functions for skilled trade recognition.
• Local 571 officers met with Congressional legislators at the UAW CAP Conference in Washington, DC to discuss workload and other concerns at Electric Boat.

MARCH

• The Southeastern Connecticut Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, provided councillor-training courses.
• Local 571's contract language on benefits and technology was discussed at the General Dynamics UAW Council Conference.
• Layoffs of 109 Local 571 members (down from 281) were announced.  Bob Voss and Lucinda McGee were named peer councillors.
• The Union and the Company extended the memo on a year-end profit sharing bonus to 2001.
• All leadership of Local 571 attended a forum where President Mike Toner provided a business update and Vice President Bob Nardone and Consultant Carl Harshman reviewed the relationship between the Union and the Company.
• A meeting was held with the AFL-CIO, State Labor Commissioner Shawn Cashman, and President Mel Olsson to secure money for laid-off workers.

APRIL

• A new group was formed providing design services to Gulfstream Aerospace, a General Dynamics Company.
• Local 571 members and officers participated in the Workers' Memorial Ceremonies at Washington Park in Groton, CT.

MAY

• Bill Giustini attended the Annual Eastern Seaboard Apprentice Conference.  Our agreement with Maine Maritime Academy is being used as a model for other apprentice programs to support a degreed program.
• Local 571 officers met with Connecticut and Rhode Island congressional legislators in Washington, DC to discuss the purchase of Newport News Shipbuilding by General Dynamics Corporation
• The Company announced cancellation of all impending layoffs.
• The Union provided the Company with a position paper in regard to the purchase of Newport News Shipbuilding.
• Local 57 officers, other UAW locals and the AFL-CIO, about 600 in all held a rally in front of Governor Rowland's mansion in support of the nurses union Local 1199.

JUNE

• At the June General Membership Meeting, VFW Post 1265 recognized Local 571 for their assistance with the 2000 VFW Poppy Drive.
• A special election was held for the vacant Trustee position.  Ed organ was elected.
• The UAW Region 9A Join Leadership Conference was held in Hartford.
• The six $2,000.00 John F. Saffomilla/E. Roy Colville Scholarship winners were announced.
• The General Membership voted down a new by-law to provide a stipend to the full-time officers.

JULY

• The membership enjoyed another annual family picnic held at Lake Compounce.
• A Retirement Information Seminar was held at the Groton Motor Inn, hosted by the union, was attended by 125 members.

AUGUST

• The negotiated dollar-for-dollar SSIP option went into effect.
• Lynn Damato and Dave Bliven were named Loaned Employees to the Southeastern Connecticut United Way Campaign.
• Officers and members attended a rally against "Fast Track" legislation in front of Congressman Rob Simmons' office in Norwich, CT.

SEPTEMBER

• 8th Annual Local 571 Golf Day was held at Cedar Ridge Golf Course.
• By-law for officer's stipend passed by the General Membership.
• General Membership authorized two $2,500.00 contributions to the September 11 Disaster Relief Fund.  These contributions along with other member and EB employee contributions were matched by the Company making the total contribution over $80,000.00.
• Graduation ceremonies were held for 34, year 2000, apprentice graduates at the Mystic Hilton.  Dean Brainard received the outstanding MDA-UAW Apprentice Award.

OCTOBER

• The Union and Company announced that they would begin contract negotiations eight months early.
• Federal Mediator Tom Carroll provided two days of Interest Based Bargaining training to all members of the Union and Company negotiating committees.
• Four forums were provided to the membership to receive information and ask questions about the Early Retirement Insurance proposal.
• The Company stated for the second time in one year that all potential layoffs were cancelled.

NOVEMBER

• General Dynamics Corporation's bid to purchase Newport News Shipbuilding was denied by the Pentagon.
• The General Membership overwhelmingly approved a new contract between the Union and the Company.

DECEMBER

• The annual Dinner Dance was held at the new Marriott Hotel.
• Union negotiated $500.00 profit sharing checks were distributed to the membership.