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UAW president offers grim assessment of where bargaining stands with Detroit’s big 3

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UAW president offers grim assessment of where bargaining stands with Detroit’s big 3


UAW President Shawn Fain offered a grim assessment of where bargaining stands with the Detroit three in an address to the membership Thursday night.

“One thing I want to tell you is this trash can is overflowing with the bull**** that the big three continue to peddle,” said Fain.

Fain says the UAW filed an unfair labor practice complaint against Stellantis and General Motors because the union hasn’t received any counter proposals to its list of demands it gave all three automakers four weeks ago.

The UAW has heard back from Ford.

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“Ford’s wage proposals not only fail to meet our needs, it insults our very worth,” Fain said.

He says Ford is offering a 9% raise throughout the contract. The UAW is looking for a 46% increase, among many other demands, like ending the two-tier wage system.

The current contract expires on Sept. 14, and Fain has made it clear he views that as a hard deadline, not as he calls it, a “reference point”.

He says the union’s goal is not to strike, but it will.

“If we want higher wages, better benefits, and a better future for ourselves and our families, then we are going to have to fight like hell to win,” Fain said.

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“Ford employs the most UAW workers and is the most American automaker in terms of vehicles assembled and vehicles exported from the U.S. We have made these choices because we believe in American workers, in our partnership with the UAW and in enriching American communities.

Ford has exceeded its commitments to add jobs and invest during the last three contracts, most recently creating or retaining 5,600 additional UAW-represented jobs beyond the 8,500 we committed and investing $1.4 billion beyond the $6 billion we committed during the 2019 contract.

After extensive negotiations, Ford has presented a generous offer on the upcoming contract that would provide our hourly employees with 15% guaranteed combined wage increases and lump sums, and improved benefits over the life of the contract.

Wages (including overtime) and lump sum bonuses for Ford’s UAW-represented hourly workers would increase from $78,000 on average in 2022 to $92,000 in the first year of the contract.

On top of $92,000 in wages and bonuses, workers would receive health care coverage worth $17,500 and other benefits worth an additional $20,500 in the first year. Health care for permanent UAW-represented hourly employees would continue to rank in the top 1% of all employer-sponsored medical plans for lowest employee cost sharing.

Full-time permanent Ford employees at the top wage rate could be paid $98,000 – from wages, cost-of-living adjustment bonus, ratification bonus, profit sharing and overtime – in the first year alone.

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Overall, this offer is significantly better than what we estimate workers earn at Tesla and foreign automakers operating in the U.S.

This would be an important deal for our workers, and it would allow for the continuation of Ford’s unique position as the most American automaker – and give us the flexibility we need within our manufacturing footprint to respond to customer demand as the industry transforms. This offer would also allow Ford to compete, invest in new products, grow and share that future success with our employees through profit sharing.

We are committed to creating opportunity for every UAW worker to build a great career at Ford and to become a full-time permanent Ford employee with the good middle-class wages and benefits that come with it. Our offer fully eliminates wage tiers so all employees can achieve industry-leading wages, accelerates the grow-in period to reach the top wage rate by 25%, delivers a 20% raise for temporary employees and extends to temporary employees the same ratification bonus that permanent employees receive. Only 2% to 3% of Ford’s hourly workforce are temporary employees, by far the lowest among the Big 3.

But we will not make a deal that endangers our ability to invest, grow and share profits with our employees. That would mortgage our future and would be harmful to everyone with a stake in Ford, including our valued UAW workers.

Bottom line, we believe there is a path to succeed together in what is the most competitive and fast-changing era in the history of the American auto industry. Please see details below.”

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Ford President, CEO Jim Farley

“We are surprised by and strongly refute the NLRB charge filed by the International UAW. We believe it has no merit and is an insult to the bargaining committees. We have been hyper-focused on negotiating directly and in good faith with the UAW and are making progress. The pace of negotiations is based on how quickly both parties resolve nearly 1,000 UAW demands, including more than 90 presented this week. Our goal remains the same – to achieve an agreement without a disruption that rewards our team members and protects the future of the entire GM team.”

Gerald Johnson, GM Executive Vice President, Global Manufacturing

“Stellantis has not received the filing, but is shocked by Mr. Fain’s claims that we have not bargained in good faith. This is a claim with no basis in fact, and we are disappointed to learn that Mr. Fain is more focused on filing frivolous legal charges than on actual bargaining. We will vigorously defend this charge when the time comes, but right now we are more focused on continuing to bargain in good faith for a new agreement. We will not allow Mr. Fain’s tactics to distract us from that important work to secure the future for our employees.”

Jodi Tinson, Stellantis Corporate Communications, Media Relations and Content

Copyright 2023 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit – All rights reserved.



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Detroit, MI

Detroit Zoo’s Wild Lights attraction is a year-round endeavor

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Detroit Zoo’s Wild Lights attraction is a year-round endeavor


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Royal Oak — Twinkling, flashing, gleaming and dancing — the Detroit Zoo’s annual Wild Lights attraction features a dizzying array of lighting displays of all sorts, but it’s a huge undertaking.

The zoo’s staff brings the magic to life with luminous, larger-than-life animals, an interactive talking tree and everything in between.

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It’s a bit like decorating one’s own home for Christmas, said Detroit Zoo Senior Director of Guest Experience Emily O’Hara — just on a massive scale, as the zoo provided behind-the-scene access this week to their winter wonderland.

“We started counting all the lights at one point,” O’Hara said, “but you get over a million, then over 2 million and where does it stop? So, we just say millions of lights.”

This year’s display includes 676 trees wrapped with lights; more than 500 lighted “sculptures” of plants, animals and other objects; and holiday-specific items such as heating stations and a warming lodge. They all had to be set up by Wild Lights’ opening night, which this year was Nov. 23.

While the team must work swiftly, they must also work carefully. If there are too many lights on one side of a tree, for instance, they will be instructed to remove them and start over.

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“There is a meticulous nature to it,” O’Hara said. “It isn’t just throwing lights and hoping they stick. We want everything to be the best product we can put out there for the guests.”

The months of hard work were evident to Phil and Carolyn Durst of West Branch, who were in Metro Detroit visiting family on Friday when they decided to check out the lights.

“We had no idea what to expect, but this is really amazing,” Phil said. “They did a great job.”

“They thought of everything, every animal you could think of,” Carolyn added.

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Wild Lights continues at the zoo through Jan. 5. After that, the staff will begin tearing down the displays — carefully, so as not to tangle the thousands of strands.

Virtually all of the lights and holiday items are removed once the season is over, although some, like the large globe that can display video images, are often repositioned and repurposed for other zoo events throughout the year.

Where do the rest go during the offseason? Many are housed in the sizable storage area near the middle of the zoo, which includes eight shipping containers and a large shed. O’Hara said another 12 off-site shipping containers are used. And more lights yet get stuffed into any closets that might be available elsewhere at the zoo.

O’Hara said the staff works year-round to ensure visitors get a new experience each year. With Wild Lights entertaining families for more than a decade now, that means planning begins in January.

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The staff works throughout the year to repair and repurpose aging items while the administration orders new pieces. The trend over the past few years has been on “interactive items” like a colorful see-saw and swings that kids can play on, or the talking Christmas tree that implores passersby to make a holiday wish.

Installation usually begins in late July and actually continues right up until Wild Lights opens for the season around Thanksgiving.

Once the lights are strung and the attractions in place, the work isn’t over yet. Rain and snow will occasionally cause a strand of lights to burn out. But more common are issues caused by native wildlife, zoo officials said.

“Anyone who has tried to string up lights at their own home may have encountered how squirrels find them a delicacy,” O’Hara said with a chuckle.

When items need to be tested or programmed, they’re taken to the backstage area of the Ford Education Center’s 4D theater, not only because that’s one of the largest indoor spaces at the zoo, but with the lights off, it’s dark enough to mimic the night sky outside.

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“The advantage back here is we actually have a truss we can raise and lower, so it makes it much easier to reach our stuff and work on it,” said Lauri Besler-Kroll, a member of the zoo’s utility department.

During the behind-the-scenes tour for The Detroit News, team members were testing the light curtain that will be used for the special “Zoo Year’s Eve” countdown. At 8 p.m. on Dec. 31, the curtain will display an animal-themed New Year’s countdown, giving little ones who may not make it to midnight a chance to ring in 2025.

Wild Lights has become a family tradition for the family of Mike Newton of South Lyon. The dancing sticks stood out to daughter Kaylin, 5, while the rainbow-color trees were a favorite for Abigail, 3.

“They’ve been coming since they were under 1,” said Mike. “Always a good time.”

mreinhart@detroitnews.com

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Wild Lights

What: Wild Lights Presented by Corewell Health Children’s is the Detroit Zoo’s seasonal attraction filled with animal-themed light sculptures and other holiday fun.

When: Remaining dates are Dec. 21-23 and Dec. 26-31, as well as Jan. 2-5. The event opens at 5 p.m. each evening. Tickets are available for entry every half-hour. Sales stop an hour before Wild Lights closes each night. The event closes at 10:30 p.m. through Dec. 28 (except Dec. 26) and at 9:30 p.m. Dec. 29 through Jan. 5.

Cost: Online general admission ticket prices vary by date and time slot, and range from $17-$25 per person. Tickets can be purchased at the gate (unless the zoo reaches capacity for a given time slot) for $26. Groups of 20 or more can buy tickets for $15-$23 per person. Packages are also available for daytime admission to the zoo, plus Wild Lights in the evening ($38); the “Picnic Package,” which includes an unlimited food buffet ($50 online, $55 at the gate); and the “Ultimate VIP Package,” which includes food and drink, plus a carousel ride and ticket to a screening at the 4D theater ($70 online, $75 at the gate).

Online tickets: dzoo.org/wildlights

Where: Detroit Zoo, 8450 W. 10 Mile, Royal Oak

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Detroit, MI

Video recap: Detroit Lions with bounce-back drubbing of Chicago Bears

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Video recap: Detroit Lions with bounce-back drubbing of Chicago Bears


CHICAGO, Ill. — The Detroit Lions smashed the Chicago Bears with a business-like mentality, with a hint of flare on a beautifully designed trick play, in their 34-17 win.

This victory gives the Lions 13 wins on the season, the most in franchise history. They also set a new single-season record for points scored, eclipsing the mark set by the 2011 team led by Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson. Not too shabby with two games left on the schedule.

They are undefeated on the road this season, not to mention 5-0 in the division.

Inside the locker room: Lions explain process behind ‘Stumble Bum’ trick play

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Dan Campbell leads Lions to team record 13th win, still ‘not time’ to celebrate

Detroit’s offense was lethal, with a breakout showing in running back Jahmyr Gibbs’ first game in the standalone lead role without David Montgomery. Jared Goff threw for another 336 yards and three scores. And the Lions quarterback got hit clicking with receivers Jameson Williams and Amon-Ra St. Brown.

Williams hit a career-long 82-yard touchdown catch and finished with a career-high 143 receiving yards. St. Brown caught six of eight targets sent his way for 70 yards and one touchdown.

The Lions and their banged-up defense were hit for a lot of passing yards. But they managed to come up with two takeaways, leading to 10 points, and held the Bears to converting only two third-down tries on 10 attempts in the win.

See below for MLive’s video breakdowns from after this game:

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  • BETTING: Check out our guide to the best Michigan sportsbooks, where our team of sports betting experts has reviewed the experience, payout speed, parlay options and quality of odds for multiple sportsbooks.



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Detroit, MI

The Glancy Train set continues to attract thousands at Detroit Historical Museum this holiday season

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The Glancy Train set continues to attract thousands at Detroit Historical Museum this holiday season


MIDTOWN (WXYZ) — At Detroit Historical Museum, 74-year-old Peter Dudley really knows how to keep things on track.

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“Yes, I’ve been a volunteer since 1997, which was the year we built the current exhibit,” says Dudley.

The Glancy Trains exhibit has been a crowd favorite for years. 13 trains moving along 12 electric-powered tracks, all thanks to a team of 3 volunteers.

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“The main thing the volunteers do is to keep the trains running,” said Dudley.

From keeping the tracks clean to repairing the trains, Dudley is always busy in his workshop over the weekends.

They go from zero to 35 mph in a split second, which is another reason we have to make sure they don’t derail, said Dudley.

The collection, which dates back to the mid-1900s, belonged to Alfred Glancy Jr., a real estate financier and former owner of the Empire State Building in New York City. Detroit Historical Society’s Rebecca Salminen-Witt says Glancy enjoyed hosting “train parties” for friends and family each holiday season at his home in Grosse Pointe Shores. After his death in 1973, the Glancy family donated the set.

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“Every kid who comes here wants to see these trains, Mr. Glancy was obviously a train guy himself. His children actually are still involved with the museum. They still love these trains, visit them and support them,” said Salminen-Witt.

Salminen-Witt says that as the exhibit grows, thanks to donations from various sources, it truly highlights Detroit’s rich history.

“Most people are really excited about the renaissance that they are seeing at Michigan Central Station. They were developing that train station right at the cusp between train travel, railroad travel and the beginning of the automotive, well as we know the cars took over,” said Salminen-Witt.

And it turns out a lot of Detroit’s history is baked into the exhibit.

“We’ve got that big tire, people are familiar with on your way to the airport, you pass on I94, on the other end of the exhibit, we have the big stove. So, Detroit was the stove manufacturing capital of the country. And, of course, trains hauled those stoves everywhere,” said Salminen-Witt.

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“I often come out from behind, from the workshop, and I talk to people about local Detroit railroad history,” said Dudley.

“Does this remind you of your childhood?” asked Faraz Javed, 7 News Detroit reporter.

“I received my first train as a christmas present from my grandparents. That particular December we traveled on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad leaving from Michigan Central Station,” said Dudley.

Now, the Glancy Train exhibit runs year-round at the Detroit Historical Museum. And Dudley says they are always in need of volunteers. To find out how you can become one, just head to this website.





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