GM bonuses cut because of child support

I think that this is going way to far, Corporations should keep their noses
to them selves. I mean what the hell are NCP supposed to do live in a
freaking box. Regardless if the are paying on time or have arrears. I am
glad that my husband doesn't work for GM. We don't have enough money now.
Angel


Published October 17, 2003
Child support cuts GM bonuses
Many workers angry as they weren't past due


By John Schneider
Lansing State Journal


Thousands of GM employees who pay child support in Michigan and other states
found their $3,000 bonuses cut by $900 or withheld entirely this week.

Ingham County Friend of the Court Donald Rei-sig called it a "unilateral and
premature seizure" by General Motors Corp.

But GM officials say federal law, and the time constraints of the labor
contract employees recently ratified - which included the bonuses - forced
them to err on the side of excess.

About two-thirds of the money taken from 572 GM workers in Ingham County
alone - with the blessing of the state Office of Child Support - came from
people who are current in their payment or no longer under financial
obligation at all.

"This has to be illegal," said Allen McDaniel, a material handler at the
Lansing Car Assembly plant, who completed his support obligations a year
ago.

His bonus check was $900 short: "How can you take money from somebody just
because he might owe something?"

McDaniel said GM officials assured him he would get his money eventually.

Since Tuesday, when GM employees learned about the 50 percent shortages -
about $900 in most cases - the Ingham Friend of the Court office has been
swamped by calls from outraged clients.

"People are as irate as hell," said Reisig.

The bonuses - lump-sum wage increases established in the labor contract
ratified Oct. 6 - started out at $3,000. Most employees took home about
$1,800 after taxes.

In the case of employees in Michigan with "active child or spousal support
deductions," GM held half the $1,800, as specified by Michigan law.

That varies from state to state. In Ohio, for example, GM withheld the
entire amount.

Federal law requires GM to help county and state officials enforce
child-support orders through payroll deductions and diverting lump-sum
payments to cover arrears.

But in the cases of the bonuses distributed this week, GM (including
Saturn), took 50 percent from all Michigan employees with active support
deduction orders, regardless of whether they were behind in their payments.

GM spokesman Tom Wickham acknowledged that it was an "unfortunate
situation." But the terms of the new contract between GM and the United Auto
Workers forced GM payroll officials to use a broad net, he said.

Bonuses for child-support payers typically are handled like this:

GM, anticipating the distribution of bonus checks, asks county or state
officials to identify support payers behind in their obligations. GM uses
that information to determine which bonuses get diverted.

"Normally, we have 45 days to do this," Wickham said. "In this case, the
contract was ratified Oct. 6, and we were contractually obligated to
distribute the bonuses this week."

Given that, Wickham said, GM officials decided to deduct 50 percent from the
bonuses of all employees with support orders.

As for why employees no longer under court orders got caught in the net,
Wickham said, "We need to update our lists."

GM will start releasing the money as it gets those updated lists, Wickham
said. He declined to say when that will happen.

Maureen Sorbet, spokeswoman for the state Family Independence Agency, said
GM's action was proper.

"We believe GM was honoring the language and intent of the agreement between
the employer and the Office of Child Support," Sorbet said.

Today that office will supply GM with a list of support payers who aren't
behind in their payments, she said.

"For anybody not in arrears, the money will be released," Sorbet said. "As
for how quickly, you'll have to check with GM."

On Thursday, in a blistering letter to GM, Reisig wrote: "Your payroll
department withheld ... bonus payments, without regard to whether or not any
support arrearage was owed."

The letter continued: "Your action of prematurely seizing these funds and
holding them, even for a relatively short period of time, does a disservice
to your many employees, who both give to you their services, and who
diligently pay their child support on behalf of their children."

Of the 572 GM employees in Ing-ham County who received half their bonuses,
191 are behind in their support payments.

"It sucks," said Doug Grace of Lansing, an Assembly plant worker who came up
$900 short. "I go out of my way to make sure I don't fall behind."

Contact John Schneider at 377-1175 or .

It has not been easy always being a buy American car kind of guy. But this
pushes it over the top for me. I will never own another GM product.

"Angel" wrote in message
...
I think that this is going way to far, Corporations should keep their
noses
to them selves. I mean what the hell are NCP supposed to do live in a
freaking box. Regardless if the are paying on time or have arrears. I am
glad that my husband doesn't work for GM. We don't have enough money now.
Angel


Published October 17, 2003
Child support cuts GM bonuses
Many workers angry as they weren't past due


By John Schneider
Lansing State Journal


Thousands of GM employees who pay child support in Michigan and other
states
found their $3,000 bonuses cut by $900 or withheld entirely this week.

Ingham County Friend of the Court Donald Rei-sig called it a "unilateral
and
premature seizure" by General Motors Corp.

But GM officials say federal law, and the time constraints of the labor
contract employees recently ratified - which included the bonuses - forced
them to err on the side of excess.

About two-thirds of the money taken from 572 GM workers in Ingham County
alone - with the blessing of the state Office of Child Support - came from
people who are current in their payment or no longer under financial
obligation at all.

"This has to be illegal," said Allen McDaniel, a material handler at the
Lansing Car Assembly plant, who completed his support obligations a year
ago.

His bonus check was $900 short: "How can you take money from somebody just
because he might owe something?"

McDaniel said GM officials assured him he would get his money eventually.

Since Tuesday, when GM employees learned about the 50 percent shortages -
about $900 in most cases - the Ingham Friend of the Court office has been
swamped by calls from outraged clients.

"People are as irate as hell," said Reisig.

The bonuses - lump-sum wage increases established in the labor contract
ratified Oct. 6 - started out at $3,000. Most employees took home about
$1,800 after taxes.

In the case of employees in Michigan with "active child or spousal support
deductions," GM held half the $1,800, as specified by Michigan law.

That varies from state to state. In Ohio, for example, GM withheld the
entire amount.

Federal law requires GM to help county and state officials enforce
child-support orders through payroll deductions and diverting lump-sum
payments to cover arrears.

But in the cases of the bonuses distributed this week, GM (including
Saturn), took 50 percent from all Michigan employees with active support
deduction orders, regardless of whether they were behind in their
payments.

GM spokesman Tom Wickham acknowledged that it was an "unfortunate
situation." But the terms of the new contract between GM and the United
Auto
Workers forced GM payroll officials to use a broad net, he said.

Bonuses for child-support payers typically are handled like this:

GM, anticipating the distribution of bonus checks, asks county or state
officials to identify support payers behind in their obligations. GM uses
that information to determine which bonuses get diverted.

"Normally, we have 45 days to do this," Wickham said. "In this case, the
contract was ratified Oct. 6, and we were contractually obligated to
distribute the bonuses this week."

Given that, Wickham said, GM officials decided to deduct 50 percent from
the
bonuses of all employees with support orders.

As for why employees no longer under court orders got caught in the net,
Wickham said, "We need to update our lists."

GM will start releasing the money as it gets those updated lists, Wickham
said. He declined to say when that will happen.

Maureen Sorbet, spokeswoman for the state Family Independence Agency, said
GM's action was proper.

"We believe GM was honoring the language and intent of the agreement
between
the employer and the Office of Child Support," Sorbet said.

Today that office will supply GM with a list of support payers who aren't
behind in their payments, she said.

"For anybody not in arrears, the money will be released," Sorbet said. "As
for how quickly, you'll have to check with GM."

On Thursday, in a blistering letter to GM, Reisig wrote: "Your payroll
department withheld ... bonus payments, without regard to whether or not
any
support arrearage was owed."

The letter continued: "Your action of prematurely seizing these funds and
holding them, even for a relatively short period of time, does a
disservice
to your many employees, who both give to you their services, and who
diligently pay their child support on behalf of their children."

Of the 572 GM employees in Ing-ham County who received half their bonuses,
191 are behind in their support payments.

"It sucks," said Doug Grace of Lansing, an Assembly plant worker who came
up
$900 short. "I go out of my way to make sure I don't fall behind."

Contact John Schneider at 377-1175 or .

Dave wrote:
It has not been easy always being a buy American car kind of guy. But this
pushes it over the top for me. I will never own another GM product.

My sentiments exactly. But, take it one step further and contact
Generous Motors and let them know how you feel at

http://www.gm.com/gmcomjsp/contactus/email.html

I did.

~ Dani


"Angel" wrote in message
...

I think that this is going way to far, Corporations should keep their

noses

to them selves. I mean what the hell are NCP supposed to do live in a
freaking box. Regardless if the are paying on time or have arrears. I am
glad that my husband doesn't work for GM. We don't have enough money now.
Angel


Published October 17, 2003
Child support cuts GM bonuses
Many workers angry as they weren't past due


By John Schneider
Lansing State Journal


Thousands of GM employees who pay child support in Michigan and other

states

found their $3,000 bonuses cut by $900 or withheld entirely this week.

Ingham County Friend of the Court Donald Rei-sig called it a "unilateral

and

premature seizure" by General Motors Corp.

But GM officials say federal law, and the time constraints of the labor
contract employees recently ratified - which included the bonuses - forced
them to err on the side of excess.

About two-thirds of the money taken from 572 GM workers in Ingham County
alone - with the blessing of the state Office of Child Support - came from
people who are current in their payment or no longer under financial
obligation at all.

"This has to be illegal," said Allen McDaniel, a material handler at the
Lansing Car Assembly plant, who completed his support obligations a year
ago.

His bonus check was $900 short: "How can you take money from somebody just
because he might owe something?"

McDaniel said GM officials assured him he would get his money eventually.

Since Tuesday, when GM employees learned about the 50 percent shortages -
about $900 in most cases - the Ingham Friend of the Court office has been
swamped by calls from outraged clients.

"People are as irate as hell," said Reisig.

The bonuses - lump-sum wage increases established in the labor contract
ratified Oct. 6 - started out at $3,000. Most employees took home about
$1,800 after taxes.

In the case of employees in Michigan with "active child or spousal support
deductions," GM held half the $1,800, as specified by Michigan law.

That varies from state to state. In Ohio, for example, GM withheld the
entire amount.

Federal law requires GM to help county and state officials enforce
child-support orders through payroll deductions and diverting lump-sum
payments to cover arrears.

But in the cases of the bonuses distributed this week, GM (including
Saturn), took 50 percent from all Michigan employees with active support
deduction orders, regardless of whether they were behind in their

payments.

GM spokesman Tom Wickham acknowledged that it was an "unfortunate
situation." But the terms of the new contract between GM and the United

Auto

Workers forced GM payroll officials to use a broad net, he said.

Bonuses for child-support payers typically are handled like this:

GM, anticipating the distribution of bonus checks, asks county or state
officials to identify support payers behind in their obligations. GM uses
that information to determine which bonuses get diverted.

"Normally, we have 45 days to do this," Wickham said. "In this case, the
contract was ratified Oct. 6, and we were contractually obligated to
distribute the bonuses this week."

Given that, Wickham said, GM officials decided to deduct 50 percent from

the

bonuses of all employees with support orders.

As for why employees no longer under court orders got caught in the net,
Wickham said, "We need to update our lists."

GM will start releasing the money as it gets those updated lists, Wickham
said. He declined to say when that will happen.

Maureen Sorbet, spokeswoman for the state Family Independence Agency, said
GM's action was proper.

"We believe GM was honoring the language and intent of the agreement

between

the employer and the Office of Child Support," Sorbet said.

Today that office will supply GM with a list of support payers who aren't
behind in their payments, she said.

"For anybody not in arrears, the money will be released," Sorbet said. "As
for how quickly, you'll have to check with GM."

On Thursday, in a blistering letter to GM, Reisig wrote: "Your payroll
department withheld ... bonus payments, without regard to whether or not

any

support arrearage was owed."

The letter continued: "Your action of prematurely seizing these funds and
holding them, even for a relatively short period of time, does a

disservice

to your many employees, who both give to you their services, and who
diligently pay their child support on behalf of their children."

Of the 572 GM employees in Ing-ham County who received half their bonuses,
191 are behind in their support payments.

"It sucks," said Doug Grace of Lansing, an Assembly plant worker who came

up

$900 short. "I go out of my way to make sure I don't fall behind."

Contact John Schneider at 377-1175 or .

GOOD FOR GM!!!!!

They should take deadbeat's bonuses away from them if they arent current on
their child support!!!!

TJ
"Dave" Dave@freedoms-door wrote in message
...
It has not been easy always being a buy American car kind of guy. But
this
pushes it over the top for me. I will never own another GM product.

"Angel" wrote in message
...
I think that this is going way to far, Corporations should keep their
noses
to them selves. I mean what the hell are NCP supposed to do live in a
freaking box. Regardless if the are paying on time or have arrears. I
am
glad that my husband doesn't work for GM. We don't have enough money
now.
Angel


Published October 17, 2003
Child support cuts GM bonuses
Many workers angry as they weren't past due


By John Schneider
Lansing State Journal


Thousands of GM employees who pay child support in Michigan and other
states
found their $3,000 bonuses cut by $900 or withheld entirely this week.

Ingham County Friend of the Court Donald Rei-sig called it a "unilateral
and
premature seizure" by General Motors Corp.

But GM officials say federal law, and the time constraints of the labor
contract employees recently ratified - which included the bonuses -
forced
them to err on the side of excess.

About two-thirds of the money taken from 572 GM workers in Ingham County
alone - with the blessing of the state Office of Child Support - came
from
people who are current in their payment or no longer under financial
obligation at all.

"This has to be illegal," said Allen McDaniel, a material handler at the
Lansing Car Assembly plant, who completed his support obligations a year
ago.

His bonus check was $900 short: "How can you take money from somebody
just
because he might owe something?"

McDaniel said GM officials assured him he would get his money
eventually.

Since Tuesday, when GM employees learned about the 50 percent
shortages -
about $900 in most cases - the Ingham Friend of the Court office has
been
swamped by calls from outraged clients.

"People are as irate as hell," said Reisig.

The bonuses - lump-sum wage increases established in the labor contract
ratified Oct. 6 - started out at $3,000. Most employees took home about
$1,800 after taxes.

In the case of employees in Michigan with "active child or spousal
support
deductions," GM held half the $1,800, as specified by Michigan law.

That varies from state to state. In Ohio, for example, GM withheld the
entire amount.

Federal law requires GM to help county and state officials enforce
child-support orders through payroll deductions and diverting lump-sum
payments to cover arrears.

But in the cases of the bonuses distributed this week, GM (including
Saturn), took 50 percent from all Michigan employees with active support
deduction orders, regardless of whether they were behind in their
payments.

GM spokesman Tom Wickham acknowledged that it was an "unfortunate
situation." But the terms of the new contract between GM and the United
Auto
Workers forced GM payroll officials to use a broad net, he said.

Bonuses for child-support payers typically are handled like this:

GM, anticipating the distribution of bonus checks, asks county or state
officials to identify support payers behind in their obligations. GM
uses
that information to determine which bonuses get diverted.

"Normally, we have 45 days to do this," Wickham said. "In this case, the
contract was ratified Oct. 6, and we were contractually obligated to
distribute the bonuses this week."

Given that, Wickham said, GM officials decided to deduct 50 percent from
the
bonuses of all employees with support orders.

As for why employees no longer under court orders got caught in the net,
Wickham said, "We need to update our lists."

GM will start releasing the money as it gets those updated lists,
Wickham
said. He declined to say when that will happen.

Maureen Sorbet, spokeswoman for the state Family Independence Agency,
said
GM's action was proper.

"We believe GM was honoring the language and intent of the agreement
between
the employer and the Office of Child Support," Sorbet said.

Today that office will supply GM with a list of support payers who
aren't
behind in their payments, she said.

"For anybody not in arrears, the money will be released," Sorbet said.
"As
for how quickly, you'll have to check with GM."

On Thursday, in a blistering letter to GM, Reisig wrote: "Your payroll
department withheld ... bonus payments, without regard to whether or not
any
support arrearage was owed."

The letter continued: "Your action of prematurely seizing these funds
and
holding them, even for a relatively short period of time, does a
disservice
to your many employees, who both give to you their services, and who
diligently pay their child support on behalf of their children."

Of the 572 GM employees in Ing-ham County who received half their
bonuses,
191 are behind in their support payments.

"It sucks," said Doug Grace of Lansing, an Assembly plant worker who
came
up
$900 short. "I go out of my way to make sure I don't fall behind."

Contact John Schneider at 377-1175 or .

T.J. may be indicted for posting the following:
GOOD FOR GM!!!!!

They should take deadbeat's bonuses away from them if they arent
current on their child support!!!!

Did you not read or understand the article or the responses?

"T.J." wrote in message
...
GOOD FOR GM!!!!!

They should take deadbeat's bonuses away from them if they arent current
on
their child support!!!!

TJ
You know what TJ your a dick head.....I don't know what your opinion is on
deadbeat, but some people are working and doing all that they can do to pay
support and keep food on the table and pay bills for themselves. It is easy
to get behind in childsupport. Don't you ever send me another email to my
account. Obiviously you have no idea how it is to be down on your luck and
have nothing.
At least my husband is making an attempt, even as small as it is. He is
trying! My uncle died owing his grown children that have children $70,000.
And another person that I know owes his grow children more than $150,00.
So don't even f**kin talk to me about deadbeat.
Angel
"Dave" Dave@freedoms-door wrote in message
...
It has not been easy always being a buy American car kind of guy. But
this
pushes it over the top for me. I will never own another GM product.

Me either and I love camaro's!

"Angel" wrote in message
...
I think that this is going way to far, Corporations should keep their
noses
to them selves. I mean what the hell are NCP supposed to do live in a
freaking box. Regardless if the are paying on time or have arrears. I
am
glad that my husband doesn't work for GM. We don't have enough money
now.
Angel


Published October 17, 2003
Child support cuts GM bonuses
Many workers angry as they weren't past due


By John Schneider
Lansing State Journal


Thousands of GM employees who pay child support in Michigan and other
states
found their $3,000 bonuses cut by $900 or withheld entirely this week.

Ingham County Friend of the Court Donald Rei-sig called it a
"unilateral
and
premature seizure" by General Motors Corp.

But GM officials say federal law, and the time constraints of the
labor
contract employees recently ratified - which included the bonuses -
forced
them to err on the side of excess.

About two-thirds of the money taken from 572 GM workers in Ingham
County
alone - with the blessing of the state Office of Child Support - came
from
people who are current in their payment or no longer under financial
obligation at all.

"This has to be illegal," said Allen McDaniel, a material handler at
the
Lansing Car Assembly plant, who completed his support obligations a
year
ago.

His bonus check was $900 short: "How can you take money from somebody
just
because he might owe something?"

McDaniel said GM officials assured him he would get his money
eventually.

Since Tuesday, when GM employees learned about the 50 percent
shortages -
about $900 in most cases - the Ingham Friend of the Court office has
been
swamped by calls from outraged clients.

"People are as irate as hell," said Reisig.

The bonuses - lump-sum wage increases established in the labor
contract
ratified Oct. 6 - started out at $3,000. Most employees took home
about
$1,800 after taxes.

In the case of employees in Michigan with "active child or spousal
support
deductions," GM held half the $1,800, as specified by Michigan law.

That varies from state to state. In Ohio, for example, GM withheld the
entire amount.

Federal law requires GM to help county and state officials enforce
child-support orders through payroll deductions and diverting lump-sum
payments to cover arrears.

But in the cases of the bonuses distributed this week, GM (including
Saturn), took 50 percent from all Michigan employees with active
support
deduction orders, regardless of whether they were behind in their
payments.

GM spokesman Tom Wickham acknowledged that it was an "unfortunate
situation." But the terms of the new contract between GM and the
United
Auto
Workers forced GM payroll officials to use a broad net, he said.

Bonuses for child-support payers typically are handled like this:

GM, anticipating the distribution of bonus checks, asks county or
state
officials to identify support payers behind in their obligations. GM
uses
that information to determine which bonuses get diverted.

"Normally, we have 45 days to do this," Wickham said. "In this case,
the
contract was ratified Oct. 6, and we were contractually obligated to
distribute the bonuses this week."

Given that, Wickham said, GM officials decided to deduct 50 percent
from
the
bonuses of all employees with support orders.

As for why employees no longer under court orders got caught in the
net,
Wickham said, "We need to update our lists."

GM will start releasing the money as it gets those updated lists,
Wickham
said. He declined to say when that will happen.

Maureen Sorbet, spokeswoman for the state Family Independence Agency,
said
GM's action was proper.

"We believe GM was honoring the language and intent of the agreement
between
the employer and the Office of Child Support," Sorbet said.

Today that office will supply GM with a list of support payers who
aren't
behind in their payments, she said.

"For anybody not in arrears, the money will be released," Sorbet said.
"As
for how quickly, you'll have to check with GM."

On Thursday, in a blistering letter to GM, Reisig wrote: "Your payroll
department withheld ... bonus payments, without regard to whether or
not
any
support arrearage was owed."

The letter continued: "Your action of prematurely seizing these funds
and
holding them, even for a relatively short period of time, does a
disservice
to your many employees, who both give to you their services, and who
diligently pay their child support on behalf of their children."

Of the 572 GM employees in Ing-ham County who received half their
bonuses,
191 are behind in their support payments.

"It sucks," said Doug Grace of Lansing, an Assembly plant worker who
came
up
$900 short. "I go out of my way to make sure I don't fall behind."

Contact John Schneider at 377-1175 or .

Im not a dickhead. If I buy a car and get behind on my payments it gets
taken away. How about my house, I get behind on my payments then no more
house for me. As teh custodial parent if I dont pay for food my children
starve, I dont get a break from anything and cant fall behind on paying
bills or my children suffer. Grow up and be responsible..

I do know what its like to be down on my luck thank you very much. But i
still supported my children ALONE with no help from anyone else and
certaintly not from their deadbeat asswipe. They were MY FIRST priority.
If I go without food in order for my children to have it then Ill do that.

Dont feed me this crap about someone being down on their luck and not able
to pay support for their children. Its calle d they are too selfish. If
your husband cant support his children he sure the hell shouldnt support
your dead ass.

"Angel" wrote in message
...


"T.J." wrote in message
...
GOOD FOR GM!!!!!

They should take deadbeat's bonuses away from them if they arent current
on
their child support!!!!

TJ
You know what TJ your a dick head.....I don't know what your opinion is on
deadbeat, but some people are working and doing all that they can do to
pay
support and keep food on the table and pay bills for themselves. It is
easy
to get behind in childsupport. Don't you ever send me another email to my
account. Obiviously you have no idea how it is to be down on your luck and
have nothing.
At least my husband is making an attempt, even as small as it is. He is
trying! My uncle died owing his grown children that have children
$70,000.
And another person that I know owes his grow children more than $150,00.
So don't even f**kin talk to me about deadbeat.
Angel
"Dave" Dave@freedoms-door wrote in message
...
It has not been easy always being a buy American car kind of guy. But
this
pushes it over the top for me. I will never own another GM product.

Me either and I love camaro's!

"Angel" wrote in message
...
I think that this is going way to far, Corporations should keep
their
noses
to them selves. I mean what the hell are NCP supposed to do live in
a
freaking box. Regardless if the are paying on time or have arrears.
I
am
glad that my husband doesn't work for GM. We don't have enough money
now.
Angel


Published October 17, 2003
Child support cuts GM bonuses
Many workers angry as they weren't past due


By John Schneider
Lansing State Journal


Thousands of GM employees who pay child support in Michigan and
other
states
found their $3,000 bonuses cut by $900 or withheld entirely this
week.

Ingham County Friend of the Court Donald Rei-sig called it a
"unilateral
and
premature seizure" by General Motors Corp.

But GM officials say federal law, and the time constraints of the
labor
contract employees recently ratified - which included the bonuses -
forced
them to err on the side of excess.

About two-thirds of the money taken from 572 GM workers in Ingham
County
alone - with the blessing of the state Office of Child Support -
came
from
people who are current in their payment or no longer under financial
obligation at all.

"This has to be illegal," said Allen McDaniel, a material handler at
the
Lansing Car Assembly plant, who completed his support obligations a
year
ago.

His bonus check was $900 short: "How can you take money from
somebody
just
because he might owe something?"

McDaniel said GM officials assured him he would get his money
eventually.

Since Tuesday, when GM employees learned about the 50 percent
shortages -
about $900 in most cases - the Ingham Friend of the Court office has
been
swamped by calls from outraged clients.

"People are as irate as hell," said Reisig.

The bonuses - lump-sum wage increases established in the labor
contract
ratified Oct. 6 - started out at $3,000. Most employees took home
about
$1,800 after taxes.

In the case of employees in Michigan with "active child or spousal
support
deductions," GM held half the $1,800, as specified by Michigan law.

That varies from state to state. In Ohio, for example, GM withheld
the
entire amount.

Federal law requires GM to help county and state officials enforce
child-support orders through payroll deductions and diverting
lump-sum
payments to cover arrears.

But in the cases of the bonuses distributed this week, GM (including
Saturn), took 50 percent from all Michigan employees with active
support
deduction orders, regardless of whether they were behind in their
payments.

GM spokesman Tom Wickham acknowledged that it was an "unfortunate
situation." But the terms of the new contract between GM and the
United
Auto
Workers forced GM payroll officials to use a broad net, he said.

Bonuses for child-support payers typically are handled like this:

GM, anticipating the distribution of bonus checks, asks county or
state
officials to identify support payers behind in their obligations. GM
uses
that information to determine which bonuses get diverted.

"Normally, we have 45 days to do this," Wickham said. "In this case,
the
contract was ratified Oct. 6, and we were contractually obligated to
distribute the bonuses this week."

Given that, Wickham said, GM officials decided to deduct 50 percent
from
the
bonuses of all employees with support orders.

As for why employees no longer under court orders got caught in the
net,
Wickham said, "We need to update our lists."

GM will start releasing the money as it gets those updated lists,
Wickham
said. He declined to say when that will happen.

Maureen Sorbet, spokeswoman for the state Family Independence
Agency,
said
GM's action was proper.

"We believe GM was honoring the language and intent of the agreement
between
the employer and the Office of Child Support," Sorbet said.

Today that office will supply GM with a list of support payers who
aren't
behind in their payments, she said.

"For anybody not in arrears, the money will be released," Sorbet
said.
"As
for how quickly, you'll have to check with GM."

On Thursday, in a blistering letter to GM, Reisig wrote: "Your
payroll
department withheld ... bonus payments, without regard to whether or
not
any
support arrearage was owed."

The letter continued: "Your action of prematurely seizing these
funds
and
holding them, even for a relatively short period of time, does a
disservice
to your many employees, who both give to you their services, and who
diligently pay their child support on behalf of their children."

Of the 572 GM employees in Ing-ham County who received half their
bonuses,
191 are behind in their support payments.

"It sucks," said Doug Grace of Lansing, an Assembly plant worker who
came
up
$900 short. "I go out of my way to make sure I don't fall behind."

Contact John Schneider at 377-1175 or .

What would you say about a man earning $48,000 per year who pays $650 per
month for one child, faithfully. He loses his job due to layoff, and can't
find another in his field. So he takes a job for $30,000 and petitions for
a modification in support. The judge says "No. Get a job at your previous
rate." Even with a second job, he can only get up to $40,000. He falls
behind in his support because he just can't keep bills paid on this new
salary. Is he an asswipe? A deadbeat?

Now, add to it that mom doesn't work. She lives with hubby #2, who supports
her on his $60,000 per year job. She's not hurting because he isn't sending
his usual amount. But she fights modification anyway. Who would you scold
if you could talk to both of them? And why?

"T.J." wrote in message
...
Im not a dickhead. If I buy a car and get behind on my payments it gets
taken away. How about my house, I get behind on my payments then no more
house for me. As teh custodial parent if I dont pay for food my children
starve, I dont get a break from anything and cant fall behind on paying
bills or my children suffer. Grow up and be responsible..

I do know what its like to be down on my luck thank you very much. But i
still supported my children ALONE with no help from anyone else and
certaintly not from their deadbeat asswipe. They were MY FIRST priority.
If I go without food in order for my children to have it then Ill do that.

Dont feed me this crap about someone being down on their luck and not able
to pay support for their children. Its calle d they are too selfish. If
your husband cant support his children he sure the hell shouldnt support
your dead ass.

"Angel" wrote in message
...


"T.J." wrote in message
...
GOOD FOR GM!!!!!

They should take deadbeat's bonuses away from them if they arent
current
on
their child support!!!!

TJ
You know what TJ your a dick head.....I don't know what your opinion is
on
deadbeat, but some people are working and doing all that they can do to
pay
support and keep food on the table and pay bills for themselves. It is
easy
to get behind in childsupport. Don't you ever send me another email to
my
account. Obiviously you have no idea how it is to be down on your luck
and
have nothing.
At least my husband is making an attempt, even as small as it is. He is
trying! My uncle died owing his grown children that have children
$70,000.
And another person that I know owes his grow children more than $150,00.
So don't even f**kin talk to me about deadbeat.
Angel
"Dave" Dave@freedoms-door wrote in message
...
It has not been easy always being a buy American car kind of guy.
But
this
pushes it over the top for me. I will never own another GM product.

Me either and I love camaro's!

"Angel" wrote in message
...
I think that this is going way to far, Corporations should keep
their
noses
to them selves. I mean what the hell are NCP supposed to do live
in
a
freaking box. Regardless if the are paying on time or have
arrears.
I
am
glad that my husband doesn't work for GM. We don't have enough
money
now.
Angel


Published October 17, 2003
Child support cuts GM bonuses
Many workers angry as they weren't past due


By John Schneider
Lansing State Journal


Thousands of GM employees who pay child support in Michigan and
other
states
found their $3,000 bonuses cut by $900 or withheld entirely this
week.

Ingham County Friend of the Court Donald Rei-sig called it a
"unilateral
and
premature seizure" by General Motors Corp.

But GM officials say federal law, and the time constraints of the
labor
contract employees recently ratified - which included the
bonuses -
forced
them to err on the side of excess.

About two-thirds of the money taken from 572 GM workers in Ingham
County
alone - with the blessing of the state Office of Child Support -
came
from
people who are current in their payment or no longer under
financial
obligation at all.

"This has to be illegal," said Allen McDaniel, a material handler
at
the
Lansing Car Assembly plant, who completed his support obligations
a
year
ago.

His bonus check was $900 short: "How can you take money from
somebody
just
because he might owe something?"

McDaniel said GM officials assured him he would get his money
eventually.

Since Tuesday, when GM employees learned about the 50 percent
shortages -
about $900 in most cases - the Ingham Friend of the Court office
has
been
swamped by calls from outraged clients.

"People are as irate as hell," said Reisig.

The bonuses - lump-sum wage increases established in the labor
contract
ratified Oct. 6 - started out at $3,000. Most employees took home
about
$1,800 after taxes.

In the case of employees in Michigan with "active child or spousal
support
deductions," GM held half the $1,800, as specified by Michigan
law.

That varies from state to state. In Ohio, for example, GM withheld
the
entire amount.

Federal law requires GM to help county and state officials enforce
child-support orders through payroll deductions and diverting
lump-sum
payments to cover arrears.

But in the cases of the bonuses distributed this week, GM
(including
Saturn), took 50 percent from all Michigan employees with active
support
deduction orders, regardless of whether they were behind in their
payments.

GM spokesman Tom Wickham acknowledged that it was an "unfortunate
situation." But the terms of the new contract between GM and the
United
Auto
Workers forced GM payroll officials to use a broad net, he said.

Bonuses for child-support payers typically are handled like this:

GM, anticipating the distribution of bonus checks, asks county or
state
officials to identify support payers behind in their obligations.
GM
uses
that information to determine which bonuses get diverted.

"Normally, we have 45 days to do this," Wickham said. "In this
case,
the
contract was ratified Oct. 6, and we were contractually obligated
to
distribute the bonuses this week."

Given that, Wickham said, GM officials decided to deduct 50
percent
from
the
bonuses of all employees with support orders.

As for why employees no longer under court orders got caught in
the
net,
Wickham said, "We need to update our lists."

GM will start releasing the money as it gets those updated lists,
Wickham
said. He declined to say when that will happen.

Maureen Sorbet, spokeswoman for the state Family Independence
Agency,
said
GM's action was proper.

"We believe GM was honoring the language and intent of the
agreement
between
the employer and the Office of Child Support," Sorbet said.

Today that office will supply GM with a list of support payers who
aren't
behind in their payments, she said.

"For anybody not in arrears, the money will be released," Sorbet
said.
"As
for how quickly, you'll have to check with GM."

On Thursday, in a blistering letter to GM, Reisig wrote: "Your
payroll
department withheld ... bonus payments, without regard to whether
or
not
any
support arrearage was owed."

The letter continued: "Your action of prematurely seizing these
funds
and
holding them, even for a relatively short period of time, does a
disservice
to your many employees, who both give to you their services, and
who
diligently pay their child support on behalf of their children."

Of the 572 GM employees in Ing-ham County who received half their
bonuses,
191 are behind in their support payments.

"It sucks," said Doug Grace of Lansing, an Assembly plant worker
who
came
up
$900 short. "I go out of my way to make sure I don't fall behind."

Contact John Schneider at 377-1175 or .

"T.J." wrote in message
...
Im not a dickhead. If I buy a car and get behind on my payments it gets
taken away. How about my house, I get behind on my payments then no more
house for me. As teh custodial parent if I dont pay for food my children
starve, I dont get a break from anything and cant fall behind on paying
bills or my children suffer. Grow up and be responsible..

I do know what its like to be down on my luck thank you very much. But i
still supported my children ALONE with no help from anyone else and
certaintly not from their deadbeat asswipe. They were MY FIRST priority.
If I go without food in order for my children to have it then Ill do that.

Dont feed me this crap about someone being down on their luck and not able
to pay support for their children. Its calle d they are too selfish. If
your husband cant support his children he sure the hell shouldnt support
your dead ass.
==
Gawd...Deja Vu!! You don't happen to live near Yuma Arizona do you?
Mel, Bob--Say it ain't so!
==
==

Sorry, But you are wrong. When I met my husband, he didn't even own a car.
Was staying with a friend, because all of his money went to child support.
He has been pushed out of his older childrens lives by his ex. And to say
that he shouldn't pay for my dead ass. You don't even know me, I have run
into some serious medical problems, and am now just getting back into the
work force. And as far as buying a car, or a house. Yaw gotta be making more
than about 30,000 a year. And if you are the custodial parent, you must
have a pretty damn good job, or your screwing some one with money then. Yeah
these kids are his first priority, but when they were turned against him,
and the ex still wants more and more what ya suppose to do? And you can't
tell me that the money all goes for or too the kids I have seen first hand
my self growing up where the money goes, in the custodial parents pockets to
screw around and party on. And I see alot of it being done now with people I
see every day.
It is the custodial parents who are being selfish. My husbands ex is married
to a man who is very well to do now and these kids have better clothes and
cars than what we do. I drive an old car that the exhaust has needed fixed
for months, the door handle broke and needs back brakes. I bet you drive a
better car than me and probably eat better also. You need to get your head
out of your ass and see that all people need a chance to survive.
Angel
"T.J." wrote in message
...
Im not a dickhead. If I buy a car and get behind on my payments it gets
taken away. How about my house, I get behind on my payments then no more
house for me. As teh custodial parent if I dont pay for food my children
starve, I dont get a break from anything and cant fall behind on paying
bills or my children suffer. Grow up and be responsible..

I do know what its like to be down on my luck thank you very much. But i
still supported my children ALONE with no help from anyone else and
certaintly not from their deadbeat asswipe. They were MY FIRST priority.
If I go without food in order for my children to have it then Ill do that.

Dont feed me this crap about someone being down on their luck and not able
to pay support for their children. Its calle d they are too selfish. If
your husband cant support his children he sure the hell shouldnt support
your dead ass.

"Angel" wrote in message
...


"T.J." wrote in message
...
GOOD FOR GM!!!!!

They should take deadbeat's bonuses away from them if they arent
current
on
their child support!!!!

TJ
You know what TJ your a dick head.....I don't know what your opinion is
on
deadbeat, but some people are working and doing all that they can do to
pay
support and keep food on the table and pay bills for themselves. It is
easy
to get behind in childsupport. Don't you ever send me another email to
my
account. Obiviously you have no idea how it is to be down on your luck
and
have nothing.
At least my husband is making an attempt, even as small as it is. He is
trying! My uncle died owing his grown children that have children
$70,000.
And another person that I know owes his grow children more than $150,00.
So don't even f**kin talk to me about deadbeat.
Angel
"Dave" Dave@freedoms-door wrote in message
...
It has not been easy always being a buy American car kind of guy.
But
this
pushes it over the top for me. I will never own another GM product.

Me either and I love camaro's!

"Angel" wrote in message
...
I think that this is going way to far, Corporations should keep
their
noses
to them selves. I mean what the hell are NCP supposed to do live
in
a
freaking box. Regardless if the are paying on time or have
arrears.
I
am
glad that my husband doesn't work for GM. We don't have enough
money
now.
Angel


Published October 17, 2003
Child support cuts GM bonuses
Many workers angry as they weren't past due


By John Schneider
Lansing State Journal


Thousands of GM employees who pay child support in Michigan and
other
states
found their $3,000 bonuses cut by $900 or withheld entirely this
week.

Ingham County Friend of the Court Donald Rei-sig called it a
"unilateral
and
premature seizure" by General Motors Corp.

But GM officials say federal law, and the time constraints of the
labor
contract employees recently ratified - which included the
bonuses -
forced
them to err on the side of excess.

About two-thirds of the money taken from 572 GM workers in Ingham
County
alone - with the blessing of the state Office of Child Support -
came
from
people who are current in their payment or no longer under
financial
obligation at all.

"This has to be illegal," said Allen McDaniel, a material handler
at
the
Lansing Car Assembly plant, who completed his support obligations
a
year
ago.

His bonus check was $900 short: "How can you take money from
somebody
just
because he might owe something?"

McDaniel said GM officials assured him he would get his money
eventually.

Since Tuesday, when GM employees learned about the 50 percent
shortages -
about $900 in most cases - the Ingham Friend of the Court office
has
been
swamped by calls from outraged clients.

"People are as irate as hell," said Reisig.

The bonuses - lump-sum wage increases established in the labor
contract
ratified Oct. 6 - started out at $3,000. Most employees took home
about
$1,800 after taxes.

In the case of employees in Michigan with "active child or spousal
support
deductions," GM held half the $1,800, as specified by Michigan
law.

That varies from state to state. In Ohio, for example, GM withheld
the
entire amount.

Federal law requires GM to help county and state officials enforce
child-support orders through payroll deductions and diverting
lump-sum
payments to cover arrears.

But in the cases of the bonuses distributed this week, GM
(including
Saturn), took 50 percent from all Michigan employees with active
support
deduction orders, regardless of whether they were behind in their
payments.

GM spokesman Tom Wickham acknowledged that it was an "unfortunate
situation." But the terms of the new contract between GM and the
United
Auto
Workers forced GM payroll officials to use a broad net, he said.

Bonuses for child-support payers typically are handled like this:

GM, anticipating the distribution of bonus checks, asks county or
state
officials to identify support payers behind in their obligations.
GM
uses
that information to determine which bonuses get diverted.

"Normally, we have 45 days to do this," Wickham said. "In this
case,
the
contract was ratified Oct. 6, and we were contractually obligated
to
distribute the bonuses this week."

Given that, Wickham said, GM officials decided to deduct 50
percent
from
the
bonuses of all employees with support orders.

As for why employees no longer under court orders got caught in
the
net,
Wickham said, "We need to update our lists."

GM will start releasing the money as it gets those updated lists,
Wickham
said. He declined to say when that will happen.

Maureen Sorbet, spokeswoman for the state Family Independence
Agency,
said
GM's action was proper.

"We believe GM was honoring the language and intent of the
agreement
between
the employer and the Office of Child Support," Sorbet said.

Today that office will supply GM with a list of support payers who
aren't
behind in their payments, she said.

"For anybody not in arrears, the money will be released," Sorbet
said.
"As
for how quickly, you'll have to check with GM."

On Thursday, in a blistering letter to GM, Reisig wrote: "Your
payroll
department withheld ... bonus payments, without regard to whether
or
not
any
support arrearage was owed."

The letter continued: "Your action of prematurely seizing these
funds
and
holding them, even for a relatively short period of time, does a
disservice
to your many employees, who both give to you their services, and
who
diligently pay their child support on behalf of their children."

Of the 572 GM employees in Ing-ham County who received half their
bonuses,
191 are behind in their support payments.

"It sucks," said Doug Grace of Lansing, an Assembly plant worker
who
came
up
$900 short. "I go out of my way to make sure I don't fall behind."

Contact John Schneider at 377-1175 or .