TOLEDO, Ohio — A local union leader has spent the last few months fighting for changes for some of his soon-to-be retirees, and now, he said that fight has inspired a nationwide update to the General Motors retirement program.
It all stemmed from GM's special attrition program, a $50,000 retirement package people are awarded after they have worked 30 years or more in the union as a thank you for their service. But until recently, very few people could use it.
PREVIOUS REPORT: GM workers unsure when they can retire with a promised $50,000
United Auto Workers Local 14 President Tony Totty said there is no cap on how many people retiring from Stellantis or Ford can receive this benefit. But for GM, only 2% of people per shop could apply.
That meant only around 27 of Local 14's retirees in any given year could be given a special attrition package. It meant some people, like 38-year production veteran Tom Rudy, were about to retire without the package.
It was a situation Local 14's workers couldn't stand any longer. Totty heard their frustration and worked with his shop chairman Jeff King to write a letter of action to his workers, asking employees to call the international union's headquarters and demand that they change the rules.
Inspired by Totty's letter, the Local 14 president said other union halls also encouraged their workers to call the international union headquarters, as well.
And it worked.
Not only did the international union change the rules to allow for 10% of Local 14's retirees to receive this special attrition package, but the campaign also officially changed the rules for every GM shop around the country.
Totty said it was necessary.
"We know what's fair, and we know what's right. And to allow Ford and Stellantis to have an uncapped retirement and we can only do 2%, that's unfair," Totty said. "And that's when we got to work and that's when we fought for our members."
For retirees like Rudy, it changes what retirement means for him and his family.
"My plans were made, I wasn't going to wait any longer. They told us only 27 people were going to get it. I was 294 on the seniority list, I was sure I wasn't going to get it," Rudy said. "Now it means more cushion for some travel, some special trips for the wife and I, and it just makes it easier."
Editor's note: This story has been edited to add information about other union halls contacting the international union headquarters, as well.
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