zuup_2000

Alot of the SHO guys install the police grille. This one already had it installed along with a fiberglass power bulge hood, and slicer wheels. They werent a big selling point for me, but the absolutely rust free body and great interior were. Ive had to tinker with a few things being that the car had sat for 4 years, but it runs awesome. And yes, go with a 5 speed.

Although I have to admit that the GEN II are the best looking, dont count out the gen I. Im on my third SHO and my first 2 were GEN II's. This is my new found love 1990 w/85k miles and yes, you will have to own some metric tools to own one of these cars.

My father had a bunch of problems with his 04' F250 6.0L, and he was given a number to call. Ford was forced to buy back his truck. I asked kyskipper if he would like the info, but I havent heard anything back. I think he's full of it.

Sticking together only works if you have a strong workforce. You will never get everyone to stick together untill you get everyone willing to WORK. Ive worked in 3 different ford plants, and it was the same in all 3. You need to realize that the word union doesnt mean what it did in the past. It used to describe WORKERS that stand by each other, but now its just the name of a business. The employees that WERE the union are long gone or are getting ready to leave, and now its just a business that caters to employees (not workers). The large number of folks that are willing to work are easily held back by the slugs, and when they say anything about them, they are (stabbing them in the back as you put it). I was very thankful for the benefits that I had, but I couldnt stand the so called "brothers and sisters" propaganda. I have worked with many great people in the 12 years I had at ford, but I have only worked with a small amount of great workers. The only hope you will ever have to regain the status of being a strong workforce, is to let the company tighten up and weed out the slugs. I was always thankful everytime I heard that the attendance policy was getting more strict, or that they were investigating for medical fraud. Then I would hear about the bargaining team getting these folks their jobs back at the workers expense. Sorry, but untill that stops (which it probably wont), you will never regain power. The worst part of the whole situation is the fact that the workforce problems are minor compared to the company wide problems. There are so many things that need to be addressed, from the bottom to the top, that even if the workforce turned into a well oiled machine, it wouldnt do squat to turn the cpmpany around. It would only eliminate a place to finger point. Dont take this the wrong way, I know your intentions are good, and I cant judge your work ethic since Ive never worked with you, but simply trying to get everyone to stick together will do nothing in the current situation. The sad fact is, the largest groups of folks that I have heard ranting about sticking together and chanting union garb, are the liabilities that are hurting the company and union. I wish you folks staying with the company the best of luck, but watching out for yourself is going to be the best way to make sure your family survives as you would like it to.

Im not saying they will be screwed, but I think that anyone who chooses to sit in GEN and passes up a transfer and a buyout, are setting themselves up for trouble. If you dont want to transfer, and you dont want a buyout, what are you expecting? to sit in GEN for the rest of your career? I Know a few guys who stayed in GEN at AAP, and I still wonder what their plan was. I dont think GEN will go away in the next contract, but I think it will be changed. If the company gives an employee an opportunity to stay with Ford, or an opportunity to take a buyout, and they turn both down, I dont think a company should have to pay them full pay to sit on their ass. I guess we will all see waht happens next September.

The same thing that happens at other plants that close. They will be Ford employees in GEN or on ILO. They will be in the same boat as the guys at AAP that didnt take a transfer and didnt take a buyout (which are in GEN).

It may be done differently at different plants, but when AAP closed, everyone went directly to GEN. They were told that they would be on unemployment first, untill it ran out. That all changed, and they did go directly to GEN.

Everyone is saying that things need to change, or they are saying "change or die", etc... I personally think its too late. The union doesnt need change, it needs complete reform (which will never happen). The day they took benefits away from retirees should have shown everyone what the future holds. The union should have never even thought about having a vote to take away retirees benefits, they should have come directly to the current workforce for cuts. I really dont see the union survivng for another 10 years, and the little b.s. someone mentioned about ford plotting to hire temps to plan for a strike is not as far fetched as it seems. Northwest airlines canned the union very easily, and never plan on bringing those guys back. Alot of guys will say that nothing real bad is going to happen, but alot of those same people were saying that they will never close plants, and they cant take away your benefits after you retire. This aint the good old days.

The powerful union you speak of will never happen again. The union has become a monster out of control, and it will eat its way to extiction. A union only has power if the company has something to lose, and its only as strong as the workforce its protecting. The UAW is a joke, and its every person for themself. The pay is great, and the benefits are great, but the B.S. is overwhelming. Its hard enough to find employees that are willing to give a days work for a days pay. The union protection just makes it that much worse. Everyone can point fingers, but the current situation was caused by EVERY level of woker. Hourly workers, engineers, management, skilled trades, CEO's., etc..... The folks that gave their all, will now suffer the consequences of the buttload of liabilities that this company has employed. I am greatful for what the union has negotiated on the workers behalf, but they quit worrying about the union as a whole, and the future of the workforce. It has turned into a business to fill pockets.

He is planning on buying lunch for the entire plant next week (I think Tuesday).

Dont be surprised when they do bring them back. They just brought back a bunch of folks at AAP that had been fired, and just in time to make the 2 week deadline for buyouts. There's the union dishing out gravy for the sorry asses again. Some of the people had been fired for over 4 years, but Im sure our union didnt bargain away anything for this...........RIIIIIIIGHT.

You still get vision, the dental stops.

Thats why I will be cashing a big check in a few months. It isnt going to change.

You call him a cheerleader because he isnt bashing the management? Well then, I guess by bashing the design teams, and fields for not doing what you think should be done, makes you one of those clowns at a hockey game that stand up and yell "SHOOT THE PUCK, SHOOT THE PUCK!!". The management is to blame for our situation, but I agree that it was the old managent. If nasser would have implemented back then what ford jr., and mark fields are now (including the new car line), things would be alot different. Ford jr. stepped onto a sinking ship when he took over, and all he had was a an old dixie cup to bail it out. I dont see anything wrong with the 500 and fusion. Everyone wants to argue that styling is the problem, but look at dodge. The Ram truck looks great, but the sales dont show it do they. Ford has alot more things to worry about than creating the ultimate stylish car.

That is not true. It does look like its written that way, but its just poorly written. Alot of folks here also thought it said the same thing. It should be written that you will receive the check, minus taxes, and also receive 6 months of basic health care, minus dental and vision. They worded it wrong in the bulletin.