February Message

Well, by now you all know that the change in our contract with GM has been ratified by the majority of our active members (61 %).

The changes for retirees have to be approved by the District Court in Detroit. The International Union is speculating they should be approved by April 06.

I reported that the prescription drug co-pays would start once ratification was finished, but all changes must be approved by the court, so the drug co pays, monthly contributions, deductibles, and co-insurance will start upon court approval in April.

The monthly contribution should come from your monthly pension check but you have to give GM permission to deduct your monthly contribution, so pay attention to your GM mail in March and April. The permission slip should be in those mailings. Fill it out and return to GM. Failure to give GM permission could result in your being placed into a "catastrophic health plan," which could cost you significantly more for deductibles and co-pay.