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UAW Reports Enthusiastic Response to New Big Three Scholarship Program

10 September 1997

UAW Reports Enthusiastic Response to New Big Three Scholarship Program

    DETROIT, Sept. 10 -- Over $27.9 million has been granted in
the past year to dependents of UAW members and retirees at GM, Ford and
Chrysler for tuition assistance for post-secondary education or at
institutions approved by the parties, according to data compiled by the UAW.
    UAW President Stephen P. Yokich hailed the program's results saying, "This
enthusiastic response in just the first year of the program's operation
signifies that our members and their dependents understand the importance of
pursuing higher education and skills to meet the challenges of today's
workplace and society," Yokich stated.
    "The UAW is pleased that we could successfully negotiate this
ground-breaking program for our members -- the first of its kind in U.S.
industry -- and we look forward to its expanded use over the course of our
national agreements with GM, Ford and Chrysler," Yokich continued.
    "With the cost of higher education placing greater financial pressure on
working families, I'm pleased that the UAW can help to lighten the load
through this employer-paid program, negotiated by our union," Yokich added.
    "Hopefully, this scholarship program can serve as a model for other
employers and unions to consider negotiating," Yokich said.
    The innovative scholarship program, which was negotiated for the first
time in the 1996 round of national negotiations between the UAW and GM, Ford
and Chrysler, provides up to $1,000 annually in tuition assistance for each
dependent or step-child (up to the age of 25) of active, retired or deceased
UAW workers employed or formerly employed by the Big Three automakers.  The
assistance is available for those students pursuing post-secondary education
or training at an approved institution or nationally-recognized agency.
    Since the program's inception in September 1996 through August 1997 the
three automakers have reported the following:

    Company *          Approved Dependents             Amount

    General Motors           19,364                $18,509,472

    Ford                      7,232                 $6,559,763

    Chrysler                  3,141                 $2,835,898

    In addition to the scholarship program for dependents, the UAW has also
negotiated a Tuition Assistance Plan (TAP) for active workers that provides up
to $3,500 per year for prepayment of tuition and compulsory fees for approved
courses leading to credits or degrees at approved educational institutions.
    Retirees are also eligible for up to $1,000 in tuition assistance per
calendar year for the prepayment of tuition and compulsory fees for approved
courses leading to credits or degrees.
    * Start dates for the program at each company vary.  In all cases, the
figures reflect payments made through September 1, 1997.

SOURCE  UAW