oac bodyboy

Oakville is really in limbo right now, in 04 we signed the flex letters to secure an investment and products. Now remember that, than in 05 or 06 we were asked to vote on and extra volume package and that is taking the midnight shift and making it a weekend crew. So lets recap flex, we build freestar and the new Edge/Mkx. Minivan production ended early so that fucked up our flex agreement so for about 2 or 2.5 years we have paint and body on the new flex letters 3 shifts and we had Mp&l and Predelivery on 3 shifts but they scaled that back to 2. Now that really fucked things up!!! Trim and Chassis are rumored to be going 3 shifts soon but how knows, Plant Manager is hinting at it. We did not give up any classifications or outsourced any in plant jobs yet. There is alot more to it but what we need to get Oakville straitened out is the whole complex on 3 shifts so every dept. can operate on one operating pattern!!!!!

AMEN

Search thestar.com Search the Web Advanced Search | Full Text Article Archive HOME NEWS COMMENT BUSINESS SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT LIVING SCIENCE- TECH WHEELS.CA TRAVEL CLASSIFIEDS CAREERS Today's Markets | Fund Centre | Fund Lookup | Portfolio Manager | Money 911 | Small Business | Investing TheStar.com | Business | Auto sector hit by new shutdown Auto sector hit by new shutdown Email story Print Choose text size Report typo or correction License this article Ford's fall in Windsor Ford Windsor casting plant: closed May 2007. Ford Essex engine plant: idle since November 2007. Seeking new investment. Nemak Essex aluminum plant: Ford owns about 7 per cent. To close in spring 2009. Since the fall of 2005, Ford has eliminated about 3,000 jobs in the Windsor area. Next year's closing will wipe out another 600 jobs. Ford, Nemak plan to close Windsor engine-parts plant, eliminate 600 jobs Feb 07, 2008 04:30 AM Tony Van Alphen Rob Ferguson Staff Reporters Ontario's auto industry took another hit yesterday when Ford and Nemak announced they will close a major engine-parts plant in Windsor and eliminate about 600 jobs next year. The two companies, which run the operation as a joint venture, said they will shut down the Nemak Essex aluminum plant in the spring of 2009 because of stiff global competition. The move would push up the number of job losses at Ford alone in the beleaguered southwestern Ontario city to about 3,600 since the fall of 2005. "We're virtually hemorrhaging jobs here now," said Mike Vince, president of Canadian Auto Workers Local 200, which represents Nemak production employees. A Ford spokesperson said the two companies have not decided where they will move production of aluminum cylinder heads, but union sources indicated output will likely shift to Mexico. Ford also hinted that Canada needs to be more competitive to win future auto investment. "All companies have to be globally competitive," said Kerry Stoakley, communications manager for Ford Motor Co. of Canada. "There is incredible competition around the world. That's why countries aggressively pursue auto investments. It's why it is critical that Canada offer a competitive business environment." The company is currently lobbying for aid from the federal government to reopen an engine plant elsewhere in the city that has sat idle since November because of a lack of product. Nemak received about $6 million from the Ontario government for a project relating to engine production processes at another Windsor operation in 2006. The company has collected about $3 million in conjunction with the firm's investments to date. Vince and other union officials attributed the latest closing to the soaring value of the Canadian dollar and a lack of action by the federal government in trying to help Ontario's struggling manufacturing sector. "We desperately need a manufacturing policy for this country because the devastation that is going on in this sector around here and the province is just awful," he added. The union also wants Ottawa to use tariffs against offshore automakers because their countries don't offer the same access to Canadian autos. The Ontario government estimates the province's manufacturing sector has lost more than 200,000 jobs since 2004. Auto-parts makers have absorbed the brunt of the impact because the much higher dollar makes their exports more expensive. Furthermore, they are experiencing a decline in business from key customers such as struggling General Motors Corp., Ford and Chrysler. The provincial government has pumped hundreds of millions of dollars into the sector in recent years with an emphasis on research, technology and engineering projects. Economic Development and Trade Minister Sandra Pupatello, who represents a Windsor riding in the Legislature, said she was aware that Nemak had doubled its production capacity in Mexico while overcapacity existed at other operations. That made the Windsor factory vulnerable, she said. She revealed the government approached Nemak about tapping into the government's $1.15 billion Next Generation jobs fund, but the company showed no interest. "I have been worried; I have been reaching out to them," Pupatello said. The downturn and shakeup in the auto industry has hammered Windsor in recent years. A Chrysler assembly plant closed in 2002 and numerous parts makers have also shut down. The city's unemployment rate is 8.2 per cent, one of the highest levels for a major urban area in the country. In the past two years at Ford's operations, almost 1,200 workers have taken early retirement incentives and more than 800 left the company after accepting buyouts. Another 940 workers are on layoff and can receive benefits representing up to 60 per cent of gross pay, depending on years of service. Ford opened the plant in 1981 and Nemak became a partner in 2000. Ford's share is now less than 10 per cent.

our plant chairman told me and a few others that we are crawling right now and you have to walk before you run, meaning we have to go 3 shifts before we can implement 3 crew.

Its about union dues!!!! For every auto worker paying $80+ in dues every month, old Buzz has to replace them with 2.5 other workers that pay $30 a month!!!!!

Yes presented!! In Hamilton in 04! the flex agreement was presented to us as if we were saving jobs and gaining 3 yes 3 platforms with each platform having multiple top hats!!! When we started to build the CD3 platform we where than told we voted on an investment not Jobs and not models!!!So I put my blame on the union for not negotiating more firm language on how the flex agreement would be implemented and than misleading its members. To cover there asses they now tell us "be thankful you have a job" or have come up with a new term "Cherry Picking"! No where in the flex agreement does it say about model B . It does talk about program A and program B and that was not fallowed because the freestar was canceled early! Yes we have people on layoff!!!! I to have endured a couple of slow periods. I was single when we went to one shift in the early 80's and had to down size my house in the early 90's. That is what pisses me off about 04, no one should have been on layoff!! I do feel for those in that position, I do know 1 person on layoff. As for the low sin people in the body shop on good jobs - good for them having the insight for bidding in when they did. I feel everybody has different situations so when we are in negotiations everyone has to weigh the pros and cons and how it affects them as well as everyone else in the collective! As for my pocket book it is outlined in our collective agreement that 40h is concidered "normal work week" is that so much to ask? I guess it is.

Yes I do work in body, and because of how the company's non commitment to put the entire complex on three shifts as was the agreement. That was how it was presented to us when we voted on it in 04 we can't work a full 40 hours and that lost money can add up to a large chunck of change at the end of the year!!! I just hope this flex agreement works out for all of us.

Everything was a done deal in 2005. Respectfully Trim I don't agree. "It is hard though when the rats leave the sinking ship (Whitey McDonald) and the rest of us are the ones left holding the bag, so to speak." It's interesting you know our business and Whitey.I guess my faith in Whitey was earned over alot of years.Your opinion on Whitey is based on what?I hope that doesn't come off smug but if you know more on Whitey's decision then us that have worked with him for 25 or more years we'd definately be interested to hear your info. "Has anybody noticed that the Ford property south of Talbotville has a for sale sign on it? 701 acres south of Hwy.3 and east of Hwy.4. This property was bought in the 60's along with the main plant property." Xstap do you know how long that property has been for sale or lease?Years...If anybody will take it the money is the Ford family's...it's not making crap sitting there.Didn't you hear Canada's Wonderland is going there. In closing ofcourse we don't have blinders on things look bad down here.Personally it won't affect me but it just rubs me the wrong way when people pretend to know stuff they don't.We don't know what products are staying or going or adding after 2010-2012.With all of the unknown I'm not sure any of us on this board knows what's happening 4-5 years down the road.I think when posters say their opinion as gospel(Whitey the rat leaving therefore STAP closing)it is going to piss people off.I don't think any of our plants are that secure where we have such bravado to almost root that a fellow CAW plant is going down.JMHO ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Your post was very respectful. My quote calling McDonald a rat was harsh but in my opinion justified. When union reps are not honest to the people they represent that pisses me off!!! We have that in Oakville right now over the flex agreement! A great question to ask any of your reps on your local negotiating committee is what language they used in the collective agreement to get those great buy outs????? If you get an honest answer you will read about ""permanent job loss"" . In my opinion that would mean those jobs are never coming back in the traditional sense. Could they come back under a different operating agreement, at contract time, anything is possible. I hope this explains my previous posts on this topic. Again I will support almost anything that will keep STAP open and my support will be behind you in 08. And if STAP is closed or idled and 1520 members transfer to Oakville I will be the one at the gate to shake your hand and say welcome to OAC!!!

HOLD ON HERE, This is not about Oakville VS. St. Thomas. Yes we in Oakville will stand behind what ever direction the CAW takes us. That I want to be clear on! It is hard though when the rats leave the sinking ship (Whitey McDonald) and the rest of us are the ones left holding the bag, so to speak. Same thing happened to OTP. Not once since I posted my opinion on this topic did I ever say I wanted Ford to close STAP!!!!!

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/sto...PStory/Business don't believe me than read it here!

Again, one more time! Yes St. Thomas is done, the UAW contract supports that! CAW actions supports that! The buy-outs your own local got from the company supports that! I wish your plant had a future but it doesn't! I forget the company's name but a few months ago , one of your suppliers announced they were shutting down there small parts plant and laying off 17 people. That move would save them 130 million between now and 2012. After I read that I read between the lines and thought that 2012 is the year ford will shut St,Thomas down!

I just skimmed over the new UAW agreement and in the section about products I see or counted 4 new products! What are they and where are they going? TRANSIT, EXPLORER, INTERCEPTER/MK R, Any thoughts.

hey range --- good one!!!!!

1520 man View Member Profile Add as Friend Send Message Find Member's Topics Find Member's Posts Oct 19 2007, 04:28 PM Post #52 BlueOval New Member Group: Blue Oval Members Posts: 17 Joined: 24-November 06 QUOTE(oac bodyboy @ Oct 19 2007, 01:23 PM) PLEASE EVERYONE LISTEN TO ME!!! I HOPE AND PREY THAT STAP REMAINS IN THE FORD SYSTEM BUT IT WON'T!!!!! THIS IS WHY----- WHEN THE C.A.W. NEGOTIATED THE BUYOUTS, WAS BECAUSE THE COMPANY TOLD THEM THAT THE SECOND SHIFT WAS PERMANENT JOB LOSS,,, MEANING TO NEVER RETURN!!!!!! THE TOWN CAR IS A BAND-AID TO A BIGGER PROBLEM, THAT IS IT. THAT IS ALL. BUZZ HAS ALREADY TOLD THE COMPANY TO TURN STAP INTO A LOW BUDGET PLANT. THAT MEANS LOWER WAGES!!!!!! THOSE ARE THE FACTS. JUST ASK WHITEY MCDONALD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I have never heard so much bullshit before. Get off the crack pipe! Low budget plant? Your retarded! Ask Whitey? I have many times, and he always tells me we'll be fine. And I truly believe his word. Do you even know who Whitey is, probably not. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sorry buddy you and one of your fellow St. Thomas 1520 brothers/ sisters have close user names, again I,m sorry!

hey man, give the flex a chance!!!! when we see some sales numbers than give your views on fords 7 pass mistakes.

the plant manager at OAC has said this past week that the flex has a life cycle of about 4-5 years!

That is what I told you a couple of weeks ago you dumb ass!!!!

I've seen one at the plant and I was told by one of our prototype people that it can tow 4000 pounds and saw it comes with a class III hitch.

SO EVERYONE CAN HEAR ME FROM OAKVILLE. LOL

PLEASE EVERYONE LISTEN TO ME!!! I HOPE AND PREY THAT STAP REMAINS IN THE FORD SYSTEM BUT IT WON'T!!!!! THIS IS WHY----- WHEN THE C.A.W. NEGOTIATED THE BUYOUTS, WAS BECAUSE THE COMPANY TOLD THEM THAT THE SECOND SHIFT WAS PERMANENT JOB LOSS,,, MEANING TO NEVER RETURN!!!!!! THE TOWN CAR IS A BAND-AID TO A BIGGER PROBLEM, THAT IS IT. THAT IS ALL. BUZZ HAS ALREADY TOLD THE COMPANY TO TURN STAP INTO A LOW BUDGET PLANT. THAT MEANS LOWER WAGES!!!!!! THOSE ARE THE FACTS. JUST ASK WHITEY MCDONALD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1 BECAUSE WE BUILD THEM! 2 FUNNY, WE DIDN'T THINK WE HAD ANY!

i heard a good one today in the body shop. layoff one week in nov. than 3 shifts in jan. train till feb. over produce in feb an mar. to allow time to launch flex. also leaders are going to pilot plant to train on new d 472 that launch moved up 2 months!!! not from a reliable person!!!

hold on now... we all voted on the flex agreement!!!! we body people all do not envey you in the main plant and we talk about it all the time!!! 2 week shut down and no changes in trim and chass, losing half your reps next spring and you have seen no changes, work groups and you still have to work 10's, we at least get short shifts as compensation!!! you poor pricks have to work the long hours like nothing has changed. we do feel for you but its out of our hands and if there is an uprising body shop will support it, but make sure when it does happen its done at the beginning of the shift because we might be going home early!!! LOL

OTP/Oak ville -- It'll make cd3 (Edge/MKX), and D3 (Flex). But, they will be made in 2 separate body shops. I'm not sure if they are sharing paint or not. try again, oakville is flex! we have one body shop cd3 and build kits being installed as we speak for d3. and still more space for another platform (to be announced). one paint shop as well.

just my 2 cents, OAC in Canada will have room after we get the flex on line. 150,000 edge/mkx, 100,000 flex/Lincoln with about 110,000 cap room to fill. if the company puts us on the 3 crew lang. we gave them 2 years ago. again just thought to consider!