backtoschool

Just when I thought I could sit in GEN for a while, this BS pops up. You hear all the rumors that it is going to happen. I just wonder if the Delphi workers will vote it in. If they do, you know that we are next. There is no way I would vote for getting rid of GEN. But then again, it would probably pass by 51%. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/26/business...amp;oref=slogin

Just when I thought Ford had everything screwed up, there is finally a little bit of bright light. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19073071/ At least we have some bragging rights over Toyota.

Here is today's Detroit News article. It narrows it down to either Sandusky, Saline, or Utica. Sorry, not Monroe or Indy! http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artic.../705010321/1148

All you have to do is pick up a Detroit paper to how bad the big 3 are brow beat by the News and Free Press. One thing for sure, there is more loyalty to domestic brands in Japan than there is in this country.

According to the person I talked with, who is a tradesman at the rouge, he said that they had every trade except electricians in GEN. He told me that the Rouge was in dire need of electricians. He did not know exactly how many though.

The plant manager was fairly blunt about what was going to happen to the plant during his state of the plant meeting today. NO Ford employees would be going with the driveshafts. For that matter, when the catylitic converters are moved to a greenfield site, NO Ford employees will be going with that operation either. Plant chairman's letter said that UAW and Ford were working on transferring all Ford employees at ACH facilities to Ford facilities. Sounds to me like they are going to go with something like a national seniority deal. If they flow all of us Ford employees back to Ford facilities, they will have to cut from the bottom up once we are moved.

This may be old news to some, but today was the first time I heard of it. It was confirmed to me today by a union official that all union officials at all ACH facilities had to sign confidentiality statements with Ford Motor Co. This means that they are not allowed to discuss details about impending sales or closures of facilities. How are we supposed to trust our union officials knowing that they can't tell us what is going on with the plant. Maybe this is no different than other time, I don't know, but I sure would like to know when things are going to happen and not just get hit with them out the blue. It sure would be nice to know what exactly lies ahead.

We won't really know how many people took the buyout until after Jan 1st. Sure there were some who left Nov 1st, but the others still have time to back out. I know plenty of people who said they would back out if they could not find another job. As of right now, all numbers are preliminary. I heard there were about 380 signed at Monroe. I know there are a few people who believe that once everybody "flows back", Ford will happily run the plant with the low wage temps. What a pipe dream! There are already lines that are being dual sourced as I type. It is not long before we sink, the listing is becoming more pronounced! :titanic: I know that I have 3 choices once in GEN. I do believe there will be restrictions put on GEN. But it is my choice to go down with the ship. As a tradesman, I know my choices are more limited, especially after the 07 contract when they combine and eliminate trades positions. Whoever does not believe this is coming better wake up! Being on TLO right now though, I have not had the chance to ask questions about flowback. My main concern is if I tranfer somewhere as a tradesman and then get cut back once all the combining and layoffs are done, do I have the right to go to production at my new plant? I am thinking no, but don't know for sure. That is why I am Back to School myself.

The way I read it, once you pick a zone with more than one facility, you are obligated to go to any plant in that zone. Yeah, they say they will give you preferences, but they don't have to go by them. I signed for the last flowback and am now told that this is null and void. I don't like how this "zone" flowback was done this time. Therefore, I am not signing up for anything and will ride my time out where I am at. Let me go to the GEN pool, at least I won't have to drive so far! Besides, they have to offer me three "in zone" placings while I am in GEN. Can't be any worse than the way they are doing flowback now. :blah:

Let's face it, there is no way to get enough of the "old timers" to retire. I work at an ACH facility where the only trades I heard leaving had way less than 30yrs. Most of those 30 yr. plus tradesmen don't want to leave. They just can't face the prospect of having to go somewhere else where they would be face with having a job. The only way any of us with less than 30 yrs. will be transferring is if we are allowed to go back to production, granted that you had production time. I know a few 30 yr. plus tradesmen who have said they will transfer, given the opportunity. But hey, that is their right as a seniority employee. In the meantime though, I am looking at other opportunities until I am absolutely forced out the door or can transfer as a tradesman. :titanic:

Ford has provided a good living thus far in life. I have to agree with you. There are many other ways to make good money other than manufacturing. When they (Billy and company) take my job, they take my loyalty. I will buy American, most likely GM. But as for Ford :kissass:

There was a very interesting article on the Visteon clipsheet on Thursday. It stated all of Ford's preferred suppliers. One was Tenneco (catylitic converters) and TRW (suspension, among others) and Dana(drivetrain). Ford has many suppliers for the parts they need. ACH plants mean nothing to them. :titanic: :titanic:

I know many people who would love to take a buyout and then go back as temp to double dip. That is what many of the 30 yr. people I know want to do. I think it would work good to get some of them to take a buyout. :blah:

You are absolutelycorrect about the buyouts. This guy is just window dressing for the boys on Wall Street. They have calling for his ouster for a long time. It will help us who have a load of Ford Stock in our TESPHE accounts. When it hits $13 a share, I'm selling everything. I can't believe it will go much higher than that until the Ford family gives up its controlling share in the company. :titanic:

I also would like to know when. Could you point these posts out? If he is wrong, it probably is only because Jr. can't make up his freakin mind as to what the hell is going on at his company. I do believe he/she has access to some privvy info. If this info changes, I hope that he/she will let us know. Besides, one needs only to look at the company and see what piss poor shape it is in. It is a crime that someone let a once great company detoriate to the state it is in now. The crying has not yet begun!