Simpleman

If you are an electrician, you can definately get 20-30 dollars an hour working outside the Ford system, you just got to look for it. The IBEW local here is currently 21.50 under this contract. Depending on what local you travel to, you could make upwards of 45 to 50 dollars an hour. Detroit locals are at approx. 30-35 dollars an hour. I'm sure it's not the type of electrical work most Ford electricians are willing to do, but it's out there. Me personally, I now belong to the ILA(International Longshoremen Association) doing crane maintenance. Once I accrue enough experience, top pay is around 30 dollars an hour.

That's not true with all big business. I recently worked for Anheuser-Busch and their pay system gives operators almost equal pay with skilled trades. (Within a dollar a hour.)

Is that a personal attack? Ouch, you are hurting me so..... :boring:

With the health care given by the ILA (International Longshoremen Association), they are covered just as they are with your current plan. The key is the total work hours you accumulate through the year. There is three levels of coverage, the less hours you work, the less coverage you are given. The Union per say doesn't manage the plan, a 3rd party handles the heath care plans and payments. If done properly, it is a good system and one that has been in use for quite awhile.

Never cried when I left. Landed a job that will end up paying me just as much as what I made at Ford. So I'm not going to continue this diatribe with you. I'm not sure why you are as bitter as you are, only you can answer that. It's just sad that any person can get satisfaction with another's misfortune. Remember, ye reap what ye sow and charma is a bitch.

so why haven't you left yet? I'm guessing cause you won't make half as much as you do at Ford because you will have to start at entry level position, if anyone would even hire you.

I think it would be a good idea. The IBEW local here in Norfolk does that and so does the ILA local as well. One big point of them is that You must have a certain amount of hours worked in a year for certain levels of coverage.

Not whining, stating a fact. Personally, I have already left Ford. Been gone since November of last year. I just can't understand why you are still around, being the great I.T. guy you say you're going to be and all. I'm sure you will make just as much doing that as you did with Ford. On a better note.....I wish all the folks who lost their jobs the best of luck and hope ya'll find a soft place to land. I will never forget my time at NAP, it was a great run.

And when Ford is done with you, That is what we all will say about you! Good riddance Dork271!

Lets break this down point by point, shall we...... 1. If a company is looking for the best and brightest, why would they go by seniority alone? Why would you train someone, have them top out and then have them retire?? Doesn't make sense. 2. Lack of motivation? First off, why should I have to motivate the apprentice? It should be motivation enough that the person is learning a trade. I guess just doing your job isn't motivation enough for you? I will show the apprentice anything they want to know, but if they are unmotivated, I'm not going to drag that person around by the hand and teach them anything. I am a journeyman, not a parent. 3. Accountability?? We tried to get people removed from the apprenticeship but, in the wisdom of the apprenticeship committe from Mich., they were passed on through. I'm just a journeyman, not a miracle worker. 4. You're right about the concept. But remember, it takes two to tango. The apprentice MUST be willing to learn, not just happy to be off the line. And in closing, you truely showed you're a classless individual with that fine remark about LAP and NAP at the end. I would hope you are a better tradesman than a human being.

God forbid Duke, that a grown person be held accountable for anything within the Ford system! I love the fact that the jerk you quoted rubbed it in that LAP is still around and that NAP is closing. Just shows ya what a person is made of.

I second that!

Hmmmm, cranial-rectal inversion syndrome at work again. I guess that Harley F150 truck he bought, that was built at DTP doesn't count eh?

Let me know if that happens, I got money on UnionJ!

Hmmm......Didn't the video show Iraqis beating Iraqis? I don't remember seeing American troops doing any of the assaulting. This violence between sects (Sunni and Shite) has been going on long before there was an America., And will continue long after we have left. Lets not try to be cute and say they lived in peace and harmony before we got there. And finally, I totally agree with you on one thing, bring the troops home.

I guess you didn't see those I.E.D.s in the blue bag. I think I would be pretty pissed if I found them too. These people are getting tired of these bombs being blown up in their neighborhoods. Who are you or I to judge the way these soldiers (Iraqi and American) act in that situation. Pretty easy for a keyboard commando to judge from the other side of the world eh?

As usual you show your stupidity. UnionJ has served his time in the military. He has EVERY right to voice his opinion about the war, just as you do. However, he doesn't need some wet behind the ears, snot nosed, never been out of mid-west, too old to be that into star wars, keyboard commando telling him to " go fight in his daddy's war " B.S.

No, the UAW/Ford apprenticeship program asks the Journeyman what he or she thinks of the apprentice, disregards the feed-back if it's negative and pushes the apprentice through regardless.

Yeah, I had one of those great UAW apprentices forced upon me when I got hired at Ford. Fourth year with NO clue how to draw a simple stop/start circuit. Never opened the 1A5 prints, never looked though the Kawasaki tech manuals, nothing! I had to lead him by the hand and make him look though tech. manuals, ask him if he had any questions. He didn't have a clue, nor did he have the drive to learn. I think the apprenticeship program needs to be revamped and get the people whom are most qualified and not just the most senior into the program.

DukeNukem For '08!!!!!

Just curious, Who are you going to work for Feb. 5?

I took the buyout and will continue to buy Ford vehicles. I just gave a X-plan pin to my cousin and I am considering a new Focus. I wish nothing but the best for Ford and all the people staying with them. I hope fortunes will be turned around and show what American ingenuity can do! Good luck to all.

John, It was a pleasure working with you. You have been a shining light in an otherwise dark time at NAP. God bless you John S. You shall always be my friend.

I totally agree.