CORRESPONDENCE FROM UAW-GM VICE PRESIDENT TERRY DITTES ON HEALTH CARE
Mr. Sandefur:
I am in receipt of your email dated Wednesday, September 25, 2019, that I received this morning, Thursday, September 26, 2019 at 8:57 am.
Let me recap the sequence of events regarding this very important matter for all our striking members and their families.
On Monday, September 16, 2019, I wrote to you via email to get a status update regarding our Members’ health care. On Tuesday, September 17, 2019, you provided an answer that our striking members and their families no longer had health care coverage. You also wrote, “Our employees should be eligible for COBRA paid for by the UAW fund so that their health care benefits can continue.” The same day you informed me that health care was no longer in effect I sent correspondence to all UAW Local Leadership informing them of such.
Finally, a week after terminating benefits, you write me a letter dated Wednesday, September 25, 2019, and received on Thursday, September 26, 2019, stating, “GM has chosen to work with our providers to keep all benefits fully in place for striking hourly employees.”
These irresponsible actions by General Motors are toying with the lives of hundreds of thousands of our UAW families.
There is no doubt that public sentiment sees these actions of GM as a shameful act!
Finally, it is time for GM to come to the bargaining table with an offer that reflects the hard work of our Members who make you successful and will settle this strike on behalf of the hundreds of thousands of UAW families, and stop toying with our families’ health and well-being.
Sincerely,
Terry Dittes
Vice President and Director
UAW General Motors Department