AFSCME 3357-HOF'S BLOG

It's Confirmed - Delphi Dropping Legal Services

Thanks to Paul C., Ken W. and Steve B., I just received a copy of the UAW-DELPHI-GM Memorandum of Understanding Delphi Restructuring. Delphi is clearly dropping the UAW-Delphi Legal Services Plan effective October 1st. Here's the language in page 18 of the document:

3. Existing CHR/Legal Services
The Parties agree as follows:
a. As of October 1, 2007, all Delphi funding and participation in the
Legal Services Plan (Attachment I to the 2003 UAW-Delphi
National Agreement) and all programs associated with the UAWGM
Center for Human Resources (CHR) will be terminated.
Discussions about any joint programs to be continued, and the
method for their administration at the local level in the absence of
the CHR, will be a matter of Local Negotiations.

It couldn't get any clearer.

What are the odds of the FB3 (formerly big three) automakers dropping the legal services when their contracts come up in the fall? Who knows? I'd say the odds are against it, but not overwhelmingly so. Let's look at the timing precedent. The UAW ratified the Delphi deal at the end of June for an October 1 benefit end. That's a 4 month lead time. I would hope that we'd have at least that much lead time before a FB3 program termination.

FYI, if you are a UAW-LSP staff attorney in an office that primarily serves Delphi employees, please send me a private e-mail letting me know how the announced ending of legal services has affected your office. Let me know whether you want me to post your letter or not.