Maislebandit

The only thing I know of is the cross training of p/f-hyd and e/l -pyro. From what I understand it is very slow going at best.

I have no problem with the way it is. It does not take long to identify what is "unacceptable". Simply don't keep going there. If anyone need be reminded, along with all the good in real life there will always be the ugly. It's no different on here. Anyhow, if this HAS to happen, I would like to think there'd be at least two moderators. One for salary and one for hourly.

What area or zone are you in? How many m/w are ILO that you are aware of? Is there any temp m/w assignment? If so, any idea how many or for how long? I ask because the east side is becoming depleted and some signs of life are showing. It is true what you say about not replacing them. They've done their best to thin the ranks. Hang in there brother, if they are gonna stay manufacturing in N/A, they are gonna need m/w's sooner or later. Let's hope it's sooner!

Considering the topic, I believe the responses to be right on. Since you want to stray a little.... As far as Toyota becoming great goes...... Did we make them have no legacy costs? Did we structure the trade model so they can sell their vehicles here unfettered while selling our vehicles in Japan is subject to untold tariff and tax? There are many factors that contribute to your argument. Placing blame on the employees of Ford (especially those who do not make corporate decisions) is just ridiculous. Back to Applebees.... Bottom line is that Toyota created American jobs by displacing American jobs.... if you think this is OK, then I can see why you think Applebees giving them a free meal is ok.

Thing is, they are not unemployed. They have their own version of the job bank. You know, something like the big three HAD and everyone was so critical of.

By the same token, hurting those you no longer patronize means you are helping those that you now patronize. My take is a little different. I can vision the bean counters looking over the numbers and seeing a big drop in sales. They might then realize that the drop can be attributed to the plants not running (lunch runs and especially drinks after their shifts). So comes a brainstorm. Offer these folks a free meal. They come in, eat, maybe see some fellow workers. Maybe drinks start flowing? Not a bad idea. But they are a national chain. What they do locally can have an effect nationally as this thread is showing. I am certain this will at least raise some eyebrows at the corporate level and I would not be surprised if some kind of action is taken.

This cannot happen until all Ford employees are placed in Ford facilities. So in order for this to happen soon, Ford would need to make some seriously colossal moves in a short period of time. Like taking back an ACH plant or two. I've suspected for some time that this might one day happen.

Of course they are Americans. Perhaps I should have worded it "American companies". If this is so hard for you to see, then I guess it really does not bother me if you call me stupid or anything else for that matter.

You say a lot of people have lost jobs. Have these Toyota people lost jobs? I think not. They are idled and guess what else, they have a supplement much like what we once had (GEN). It's not about jealousy, it's about patriotism. To me, it is on par with how our own media is partial to the foreign automakers and quick to discredit the American counterpart. I don't need to call, complain or explain my actions. I am an a American and I will support those who support Americans. My patronage to this establishment is over.

Well said.

Sure looks like that to me too. It is obvious that kpc655 believes that Ford hourly / UAW is detrimental to the success of Ford. That's funny because the UAW has been there all along during the good times as well as the bad. My question is, what would kpc655 deem to be an ideal workforce? Minimum wage? Offshore the rest of our jobs? I'm sick of people discounting what we do day in and out. We are paid well because the jobs are not easy, inherently dangerous and some are less than sanitary. Do you know how long the average autoworker lives after retirement? Oh, and if Ford was to get rid of 41,000 hourly , guess who would be next in line?

What do you mean by starving the beast? Are you suggesting that people told to report to temp duty refuse? Big and brass your balls would be. I am unsure how this would pan out - anyone know? You don't know that. I don't either. I do know however, that the situation is different this time. These are now permanent 228 members. I am optimistic, maybe to a fault and this is only my opinion Angry. Remember, don't hate the player!

The apprentices will not be temps. I will concur that it is a temp assignment for the others. If you look at the big picture though, chances are they become permanent. After this furnace upgrade job, the RDU job is coming. Plus, there is enough demo work to last a long time. Could Ford play this temp game indefinitely? I guess anything could happen. As far as posting for M/W's go, they can post in plant before they go to zone. This could occur while they are on temp status. On a side note, they will be in the OT rotation this time, which is only right.

The M/W apprentices are coming back. We have one M/W apprentice working production. He reports Monday. The other two are on loan as apprentices and will be back soon. The high seniority M/W working production could NOT bump them back to the floor. If that was the case, they would've already done that to the lower seniority M/W's. Does not matter anyway. The M/W's that chose to stay at Sterling and work production will also report Monday to the fab shop. I suspect there will also be additional M/W's brought in considering the scope of work they need done in a short time frame.

They have been moving away from the UAW for a long time. Look no farther than the decline in hourly employees over the last few years. They make it sound like the big three have used nothing but UAW labor until now. Please, they all have sourced work to non union shops for many years.

I could be wrong, but I thought the M/W's that went to Saline from Local 400 became permanent employees. Again, I could be wrong- but I would find it hard to believe that Sterling is the only plant to have these OT rules concerning temps. The situation at Sterling is much different than Salines. Sterling took a stand against management bringing contractors in. Had the union allowed them in, the trades from 400 would never had been called for temp. assignment. Saline, on the other hand, uses contractors regularly. The OT at Sterling has been sparse at best. Saline - 7/12's. I did say "given the same situation", didn't I. I'm not saying it's right, but if my plant closed and another plant said they would use me as temp help with no chance of OT, I would have to accept that as the way it is. It would be better than watching the SUB weeks wither away. It might also get my foot in the door to one day become a permanent tradesman there.

I can understand your frustration and you have every right to feel this way. While it only takes a few bad apples to spoil the bunch, you must know that not all Sterling trades feel this way. I cannot speak for all, but some of us genuinely wanted the 400 guys to become permanent trades. I also believe that this display of greed would be prominent at any other plant given the same situation. There is a meeting later this week regarding requisitions for Millwrights. If you are one of those that assumed a production job, you will be first in line. I, for one hope this happens. All 400 trades that I have dealt with have displayed professionalism and seemed to be all good people. Good luck to you.

Maybe we should think up an idea for a bumper sticker. "Please do not tailgate. Stay back at least 50 feet. Toyota drivers- 200 feet please" or "Sudden, unexpected acceleration? Cannot stop? Oh, what a feeling!"

To make it even worse, the ILOs are not only in zone, but from that very same Local! They also have trades on the line there too. Does any one know if roncelli is still doing work there?

If your local agreement is as you stated, it should be cut and dry. Has the tradesman in the lower hour group filed any grievances? If no one has or does, they will probably continue scheduling how they want.

Understood. That is why sacrifices have been made. UAW hourly saved Ford $500 million with the last round of concessions that was approved. Profit sharing was not included in those concessions. Also, the P.S. payout will be a drop in the bucket compared to what they saved. Pay off your debt, reinvest in your operations and eventually take care of your employees without prejudice!

What folks said these assembly jobs are worth $14/ hour? I didn't. And I am not asking for more, I agreed to give back to the company I work for when they supposedly needed it. I would like it back when they feel they are healthy enough to do so. Have you worked on an assembly line before? It isn't easy and there has always been a certain turnover rate. Not everyone can handle it. Cut the pay in half and slash bennies- you think the workforce won't suffer? People like you won't understand until every last one of our jobs have gone overseas I guess.

If you look at the chain of recent events, it is should be a no brainer to see why hourly is not fond of the treatment they have received. In the course of this current contract, we have given back what took decades to achieve. As stated previously, Ford purposely delayed reports to try to get more concessions from the UAW. Shortly after this failed attempt they post profits and announce salary givebacks. The $1000 you speak of was nothing less than a bribe. Had they announced profit and decided to pay down debt or reinvest in N.A. as suggested, with maybe the hint of some future give backs to all employees, you wouldn't hear a peep from me. I doubt you would hear much opposition from hourly at all. The company cited the challenges that they were up against and requested that we help. We volunteered this and voted to give back. Is it that hard to see why hourly is unhappy with the decisions that Ford has made?

You are way off here wiz. The contract does not need opening to institute profit sharing. This is one of the few things that were not given back. So, is it wrong to want something that was negotiated in good faith? As far as pay and bennie givebacks goes, this thread is supposed to be about profit sharing. Maybe you could start a new thread and enlighten everyone why it is ok to give back to one group of employees and not the other, knowing full well that both groups have given back over the last few years.

You are right. This is exactly how it works. My bad. I guess I was just dreaming Ford might do the right thing here. Realize that funding it will be less $ due to reduced number of employees. Do it be fair and equitable. Do it because it is one of the few things we have left. Do it because they say we are family, right? But as mentioned, they will likely concoct "charges" to avert or significantly lower any profit sharing payout.