BTV to SHV Transferee

When 34,000 of the 38,000 people who opted for the buyout are now off the payroll, I guess the profits would be a little higher! Next qtr they should be higher even more so with 4,000 to go.

Why wouldnt you? You are still on the active rolls and pay regular Union dues, so therefore yes to all your questions!

Now this is what is being heard on the shop floor, I dont know how true it is, so here goes... Several people put in for a transfer to SHV from BTV utilizing our transfer agreement. SHV had openings but no one at SHV was on the list to transfer to BTV. So, SHV traded an "Invisible Man" for a live body (this also helps people from BTV get to SHV quicker and way before BTV closes in 2008). Now, BTV needs the bodies to full fill jobs because the Escape/Mariner are selling well (also they dont want to hire anymore temps). So BTV is exercising their rights to send back the "Invisible Man" to get their live body back. They have 60 days to do this. So far, only 3 have to go back, but up to 35 or so more are within this 60 day time window. May more go back? Who knows! This is wacky and I believe a grievance has been filed to stop this. As of right now, this is only what is being told on the shop floor by some. Others have a different version of it. What do you think?

"Savetheplanet", I believe we are on the same page but taking a different route of getting there. First of all, we are not expecting the UAW or any union to control imports. But what we do expect the UAW or unions to do is use the PAC (Political Action Commitee) funds to help support and lobby lawmakers local and nationally to reduce the amount of imports. Put the election pressure on them about how wallyworld imports 90% of their items they sell. How wallyworld and the likes put pressure on the companies they do business with to either sell to them at a certain price or they loose their shelf space in their stores. Jobs are what keep this economy going, not exporting of jobs. If no one has a good paying job, who will buy the goods? If we dont have good paying jobs, only the staples like food, water, electric, maybe telephone will be all that people buy. Good paying jobs are what keep this country afloat. Cars, furniture, appliances, jewelry, cell phones, eating at restaurants, movie, computers are only the product of good paying jobs. The jobs are gone, so are the extras! I havent hated on the UAW or has any other poster to this topic. BTV to SHV

Rumor at SHV is that 30 or so are headed to back BTV as a reduction in force. Looks like some temps are either headed out the door or they are stacking BTV with people. Who knows, we'll find out!

"Savetheplanet", I cant see why you are calling the original poster an idiot or a jerk. It is the repsonsibility of the Union(s) to speak out and try and stop the importing of cheap manufactured goods from china and elswhere. It's up to YOU to not shop at wal mart, those everythings a $1.00 stores and the likes. Shop at Kroger, Meijer, Costco, Safeway, Pathmark and K-mart, where they still buy cheap goods, but at least the retailers and wharehouses have Unionized labor. So to call someone an idiot or a jerk is kinda "Ignorant" on your part! Look up the word ignorant and learn the true meaning! BTV to SHV

I believe what the main posting was about, but used Wal-Mart as the example, is that Walgreen's and CVS want and need to expand their services beyond just filling prescriptions and buying the ultra-large bags of weird named candies and "As Seen on TV" stuff. Wal-Mart and the likes have taken alot of their prescription business, so they are expanding into non-life threatening triage type of care. Small cuts, small burns, lacerations, you know, urgent care type stuff. The same stuff most emergency rooms are full of every night. Walgreen's and CVS want a piece of the insurance industry money that is usually only paid to doctors and hospitals. Walgreen's & CVS can hire only one real doctor for about 10 stores and have a RN and Physicians Assistant on duty at each store to do the grunt work. And the wait time is about half. Now onto the expense, Walgreen's and CVS see the way the Goodyear retiree health plan is going to work. So now they can by-pass any insurance loopholes and negotiate with the United Steel Workers for the business. So, there will be more choices for the Goodyear retirees to have un-life threatening health problems taken care of. CVS and Walgreen's ultimately want your prescriptions filled at their store, thats where the money is, but at the same time, the USW will start to negotiate on their own for prescription drugs, as they should. I see the UAW doing the same for their retirees also.

JJ@Batavia or MasterJedi, I don't have a beef with either of you two for coming back as temps. If I would have taken a buyout, I might have done the same thing. And yes, you were hand selected to be temps because of your work ethic or your attendance. Also, I'm not worried about you coming back and being hired full time, you just have to realize that there is a long line in front of you. If it was take a number, there are about 10,000 people waiting for flowback, preferential placement, EDOPP, FEDOPP opportunities.

Looks like Pioneer and myself are the ones that get it. Temps are just that, TEMPS. I'm actually glad that the temps are there. It just proves the amount of jobs that are needed in all facilities without complete consolidation of jobs or outside contracting. When BTV or any other facility closes,. those who have chosen to stay with Ford have the full-time permanent jobs, not temps. Flowbacks, preferential placement, GEN, FEDOPP, EDOPP and those on layoff who didnt take a buyout are the ones who choose the full time permanent jobs, not temps. As for Chicago needing workers, there was a posting for "Out-of Zone" opportunities in Chicago with an un-determained amount of workers needed. If the above afformentioned dont want the jobs in Chi-Town, then offer them to the temps! Again, my 2 cents! I know, now you want change back! BTV to SHV.

OK, now remember when all of you agreed to take the $100,000 buyout, you agreed to end your permenant status with Ford for LIFE. Therefore, you are only a temp worker as defined under the current Labor Agreement. As for the new hires off the street, they are only there because the State of Ohio spent about $50,000 in recruitment cost mailing, calling and taking applications within 9 counties for possibly 700 temp jobs. Then the Union & Ford agreed to re-hire those whose OSHA records where up to date with current training a "Temp" position (a training savings of 2 million $$$), as defined under the currect Labor agreement. The State of Ohio wanted to recover the fees for the recruitment or hire 20 people to get them off the State unemployment payroll. So Ford did just that, hired 20 people to satisfy the State of Ohio. Oh, but Oh, did we forget, those that had taken EDOPP or FEDOPP have the right to any permenant jobs with any plant within Ford before any temp has the rights to them. FEDOPP folks have 3 years rehire rights and EDOPP folks have 5 years rehire rights. So those thinking they are going to make it to SHV that has taken the STEP buyout, you are not making it to SHV. Too many in front of you within the company that had taken FEDOPP or EDOPP. As for a lawsuit, folks, give it up and save your money. Any lawyer that takes this lawsuit is only doing it because of the potential $$$ they will make from YOU! It is a loser. If you think you have a legitimate beef, try the NLRB first, then see what their ruling is, then, only then seek an attorney. I'm going to go out on a limb and say the NLRB will rule that when you had taken the STEP buyout that you severed all ties with FOMOCO and have no further rights and are considered only a temp employee within the confines of the current Labor Agreement. As for the temps hired off the street, by all rights, unless they have signed any documents stating the contrary, they are in front of the STEP temps for permenant positions, but behind the FEDOPP and EDOPP folks. Why? Because if they havent signed paperwork in advance stating they were only hired on a temp basis, they havent relenquished their Ford rights like the STEP people have done. Just my 2 cents BTV to SHV

I'm not a comic book or cartoon nut, but from what I remember as a youngster, wasnt the transformer Autobot named "Beetle" a VW Beetle? Wasnt Beetle a main character? Did beetle's body get replaced with a Checy Aveo or Cobalt? just wondering! NO, I'm not going to see the movie or buy the DVD.

First of all, SCABS cross picket lines. No picket line in Van Dyke that I have heard of. If you call a scab a worker that isnt Union represented, then 87% of the USA workforce then are scabs. Second, they are currently not represented by the UAW or any Union, so the plant Chairman isnt legally bound to represent the worker. although he should try anyway. With his presence during the insubordination hearing is a good start, but I'm sure the company told the chairman that he didnt have the right to speak (for which he really doesnt because the employee isnt represented). Third, If we want and need all these contract workers to join the UAW, we need to treat them with respect and at least be cordial with them. They are only looking for a decent job, just as you were when you hired in at Ford. Yes, they dont work at Ford persay, but they do work in the building and they have families to feed also. Lets focus on organizing the contract workers!

First of all, individual plants CAN NOT negotiate wages. Those are done at the national level. Pipefitters will continue to make what they make after the 25th. Second, If Pipefitters are leaving, its because they want to leave. Third, I cant see anyone complaining inside the plant, beside management, that skilled trades make too much money.

Sorry for the delay for the rebutal, but since the closing of the schoolhouse, my computer time is limited. First off, a Pension is cheaper to operate than a 401K. A 401K has to be maintained by a firm (Fidelity) with hugh fees attached. The pensions are a one time payment in your name each year or quarterly is that is how it is set up. The 401K match from the company would be taxed by the company having to pay FICA tax on the amount they match. You personally dont have to pay the FICA tax, but they do. It is income. Currently, Ford employees receive NO employer match because of our pension. Honda and Toyota both indeed have a pension plan, but it is administered by a firm that is NOT insured by the PBGC, therefore, Toyota & Honda can raid the pensions at their will, ie; IBM,Enron, World Comm. Not a single UAW workers pensions are company accesible by any company. Only payments can be made. When a Toyota or Honda employee agree to work at either place, they agree that they cannot and will not hold either company liable for any pension plans, ie; Enron, World Comm. GEN will be there, just reformulated. All new hires (if any) will not be GEN protected. The GEN numbers in each plant will be reduced as a new formula for the GEN number will be tabulated. I see the bottom 20% of employees always on the bubble for layoff at anytime.

My predictions: Wage Freeze. Wage freeze in terms is a pay cut. When wages are frozen they are no longer gaining so it in a sence is a cut. Health care for Active Employees: 1 Hours wage per week for the cost of your healthcare regardless of 1 person or family of 10. NO increase in co-pays. Do the math for the cost savings for the company. Retiree Healthcare: We did this in 2006. Good untill 2011. Nothing to negotiate Pension vs 401k. Why would they want to do a 401k only? Our pension is secured by the PBGC and untouchable by the company. If they wanted to go to the 401K route they would have to pay additional FICA tax on those monies (it is indirect earned income), so I dont see them paying the government additional tax money when pension payments are untaxed! GEN: Every fulltime person on the rolls as of the signing of the agreement will be GEN protected and no time limits. All new hires and TFT that move to permanant status will have time limits of six months per incident. SUB Pay: It will be there... its well funded and will still be well funded. We have already negotiated on the local level with COA's about job losses, so no more job losses. Thats my take. Now off to work I go. BTV to SHV

This goes out to all the COA haters out there, no matter what plant you work in. The COA was a reality that had to happen. No one likes it and no one really wanted to even negotiate them. Wait, there's the concept! NEGOTIATE them. If you worked for a non-Union company, there wouldnt be any negotiation. They would just do it. No matter how many people lost their jobs. The Bargaining Reps and building Chairpersons did their best to keep any and all jobs possible. The Intl' only went along with the new COA's because of the financial situation of the company. Also, the Intl' only agreed to the COA's as long as they were on a plant-by-plant basis. YOU, YES YOU! Had a say so by voting, again, NO Union = NO Vote. You had the chance for debate and discussion. Believe me, if the COA's in each plant would have failed, there would have been a renegotiation. Without the Union, we would have had to eat the pudding, like it or not! If the company gets back on their feet in 2009 0r 2010, thats when we get the jobs back! If they are making a profit, then they can afford the jobs!

Sammy Hagar did the same thing with NAPA Auto Parts & Toyota. He's doing radio and tv spots with Micheal Waltrip about about driving the number '55' Toyota car in a contest to the tune of "I cant drive 55'. Micheal Waltrip or Dale Jarret should enter the contest, since neither hasnt raced all year. That will be the only way they get to run their cars!

To those who cant seem to get it right, Ron Gettlefinger was elected through the Delegate system at the Intl Convention. You had a say at your Local with a vote and the elected Delegate(s) was to carry the Locals wishes with them to the Intl Convention for the vote. If you failed to make it to the Local meeting where the vote was taken, that was your own fault (98% of the membership doesnt show to the meetings and only 1% actually vote & 90% of the membership couldnt tell you who Ron Gettlfinger is anyway) . Second, Cerberus had to make one hell of an offer to the UAW to get a sale endorsment. No, not the Gettlefinger re-election fund as some are thinking, but one that would preserve retiree pensions & health care and current contract language such as the 'job bank'. We're supposed to find out today about Cerberus' purchase and the agreement wih the UAW. I believe that Chrysler also has a clause in ther contract that if the company was sold, the new one would honor the current labor agreement, just as Ford and GM does. Third, the only reason the Chrysler workers should feel screwed is that Cerberus is a private group, so their books are not open to the public. So if the company cries they arnt making money, there is no SEC filing to back it up, you have to take their word for it or go to court for them to release their financials to the Union. And if Cerberus wants to, they can sell parts of the company bit by bit and not worry about a stock price fluctuating or paying dividends to shareholders. Also they dont have to have sharholder meetings with whiney investors that cry about the smallest things because they have a .0001% share of ownership.

Hillsboro Trucking got the 2 year contingency for the Goodwill and SHV parts transfer. CCX is a LTL carrier,so they will carry the vendor production parts as well and deliver during their scheduled time windows. (and why did they choose CCX over Roadway or ABF? CCX is non-Union. No possibility of a strike and parts will be delivered at anytime without interuption! YES, they will cross a picket line!). CSX will continue to deliver by rail to Kansas City. Top Line Trucking to Avon Lake. All these contracts are contingency that the CD4E is produced passed 2008 and into 2010. I hope so...... LONG LIVE the CD4E!!!! BTV to SHV...

Afetr reading the initial post, I decided to do a little investigating....... Indeed, Top Line trucking did sign an additional 2 years for delivery from BTV to Avon Lake ONLY on a contingency that the CD4E life span be extended. So there is no guarantee, but only a trucking company willing to do the job if it is extended. I hope so. Also, the Escape, Marineer & Tribute did get a face lift. The new 2008 Escape look like a mini-bronco. I love the new design. The 6Fmid contrusction at SHV is still being done. Far from over though. The old 4R/5R line hasnt been removed yet to make way for more 6F. Looks like 2 more years worth of work to be done before the final touches are on 6F. They are already taking team leader bids for the new 6F areas though, with job 1 being May of 2009. The 5R110W replacement trans parts and assembly will run on the current machinery and assembly line. A new valve body line will be installed also. Wow, since the schoolhouses have closed, my computer time is limited. I will post more later....... BTV to SHV

First of all........ IF you all dissagree with the Union or company, use the door and go out. No one is stopping you. Sure, voice you opinion, but remember, you dont have to stay. If you think the grass is greener outside the gate of the BLue Oval, then you should have taken a buyout pkg. Next, The UAW Intl and Locals know that if these new COA's arnt in place, Mexico & Thailand will be where the F-Series trucks will be made. When the FMCSA opens the U.S. border with mexico, you better believe that a mexican truck driver will be delivering the load to the dealers. NAFTA was started by Ronnie reagan, yes, the ever so wonderful ronnie reagan. He was good at taking down the ruskies, he was also good at destroying the Unions in the USA (remeber PATCO?). He was all business and for business. He started it, George H continued it, Clinton (turncoat) signed it! The Fusion is a great car, but built under NAFTA. As for Thailand, wonderful Republican from Ohio, Rob Portman is in Thailand right now getting a free trade agreement with them also, just as he just did with Korea. Did the DetNews report that if the Thailand deal was done by then end of this year that Hyundai will start importing entry, mid and heavy duty trucks by 2012? Go ahead and vote 'NO' and get the majority and see why KTP doesnt get any new work besides what they already have. When the current model ends its life cycle and no new work, you'll be scratching your head; "WHY?" No Ford plant is safe. They ALL have already been put up for mortgage. Mortgage payment missed, guess what, Chapter 7, reorganization. I work at Sharonville, we recently approved out COA. So far, so good. The company had brought in a service that cleans the restrooms and a contractor to do only the dock fork truck driving. The UAW workers do the in-house fork truck work. Remeber, these people are working cheap so you can keep working and making your $28.00hr + benefits!

GEN is different than Unemployment and SUB. GEN, you get a 40 hour check. the money doesnt come from the general payroll, it comes from a separate fund overseen by Ford and the UAW. You are guaranteed GEN untill Sept 14,2007. After that, who know what will happen to GEN. GEN is on the table at the national bargaining level. ** my opinion ** I believe GEN will be in the next contract. Different stipulations may apply, like turning down any job In-Zone or Out-Of-Zone. Six months maximum time limit per reduction in force. Example, You are placed into GEN for 9 weeks. Then back out on the floor, your GEN clock starts over again. If you reach the 6 months un-broken, you then are on layoff and draw Unemployment-SUB. Again, My Opinion. And Yes, GEN is worth Striking for!

MasterJedi & JJ, I may have the answer to the insurance question. After speaking with several 'Super'TFT's, I have gotten the same responce. You have 6 months of insurance from the day you are released. Any insurance after that point will be COBRA. Usually you pay the full premium for COBRA but a 'Super'TFT' will only pay 20% of the COBRA premium and BTV Trans LLC will pay the other 80%. By law , they have to offer COBRA but you dont have to buy it. Example: Release date of Jan 1, 2007. COBRA coverage start date would be July 1, 2007. A single person would pay about $600 a month under COBRA, but at the 80% company paid part, you would pay $120.00 / $30.00 per week out of pocket. For a family of 2 or more, COBRA was running about $1000.00 per month, so the company would pay $800.00 per month and you would pay $200.00/ $50.00 per week out of pocket. Dont take this as 100% factual info because it could change. I'm not trying to spread gossip or trash, but it seems logical that this would be the insurance offered. Also, the company doesnt have any obligation to offer insurance to you and under the current Labor Agreement, the company really cant offer it to you. Thats why they are going the COBRA route. If the company goes the COBRA route then the Local UAW couldnt negotiate a deal and the International UAW couldnt cry foul for hiring new people w/benefits into BTV while having people on layoff across the country. More to come........ BTV to SHV

Master Jedi, TFT = 'Temporary Full Time'. You get No benefits as a 'Regular Employee' would. No insurance, no GEN, No SUB if you go on layoff. Yes, once BTV closes, you are done. You will be a dues paying member of the UAW. You do have a voice and vote, but you do not have the right to the benefits package or the right to the grievance process containing anything that would pertain to the benefits package. You gave up those rights when you took the buyout. Yes, you will have a 89 day probationary period. It will be just like you started from day one. You will be bumped around, shift to shift, job to job to fill a hole, DAILY! They can have you working up the last day a CD4E rolls off the line, after that, bye bye. No chance at SHV. After all BTV people that are left finally make it to SHV and there are any openings at SHV, then those jobs are posted In-Zone, then out of Zone. At any time during your 'TFT' status they feel they dont need you anymore, regardless of the day you hired in, out the door you go. Remember, you are a temporary employee.

We at SHV were told that the First week of May the 6F gearing will pick up to 10hrs a day and to possibly 6 days a week. Ford will cease the use of the CVT and the 6-Speed from Eisin. The Taurus will be all Ford again.