Hard Driver

Are you serious? I am embarrassed by the questions I have gotten by friends who have purchased Fords recently and have recalls and a family member who has been waiting for a Bronco since late January. By the time he gets it it looks like it will be " a last model year". I continuously hope that no one asks me about buying a Ford. I've always encouraged my kids to by Ford and they have. Unfortunately one recently had such a poor experience with quality and dealer treatment with a 2017 Escape that she just bought a Toyota. Up to this point she always bought Fords. Keep cutting heads Farley!

Not much happening here. Is there a site somewhere for UAW retirees to share information? Thanks

I don't know if this site is active any more but I'm replying. Sure you have figured things out by now. I'm an hourly retiree. I retired 7-2022 and receive monthly payment information through the Ford benefits site were I used to have my TESPHE and monitor health coverage etc.

Wow, nothing like animosity and unhappiness toward people. Maybe lump sum payments are going to put them out of business!

I retired July 1, 2022. I was originally going to retire on May 1 but my UAW benefits rep suggested I stay through May to receive the $1500 bonus. I did. Soon after I retired I was locked out of the area where I could view my pay stubs so there were a couple I never received. I tried to make sense of things by monitoring my bank direct deposits but that doesn't show your gross payments etc to tell if you have been shorted (guessing game). The problem is that I did not receive the bonus payment and don't know who to talk to. My UAW chairman said he would get on it but as of almost 2 months I still have no record of payment. Any suggestions on who I should contact? I worked out of local 245 Research and Engineering Michigan.

Thanks, I overlooked that.

Contract ratified. Bonuses etc received, December vacation reloaded, check stub says I have my 16 hours family day hours. I try to use 8 hours family day and am told can't use them until January. I say BS!

As mentioned you have to find a good dealer. I had multiple disappointments with one in Dearborn, down the street from Ford HQ. Never going back. Found another one and so far I have been treated well with all issues taken care of the first time. I drive a little further but it has been worth it.

We have a 2019 F-150 and a 2015 Flex. The flex has a great ride and is easy for our senior parents and young grand kids to get in and out of. Never a problem going on 50,000 miles. Very happy with it.

Wow! Why not just take the chicken and let the company screw you?

Thanks for the replies. Yes, it would be a dumb reason to make an engine choice.

I was talking to a guy who recently bought a 2018 F-150 and he said one of the main reasons he got a 5.0 was because the fuel pump is not in the gas tank so it's not a big repair if it goes. I know there is a secondary fuel pump "booster" on the engine but am I mistaken that the main fuel pump is in the tank on all F-150s?

I have used 2 E-150 cargo vans in the past 23 years for my business and personal use. The first 1996 with a 351 was a great vehicle. I sold it in 2006 and replaced it with a new one with a 4.6. The second is a piece of crap. Paint peeling started around 50,000 miles, then rust began around roof edge all the way around, wind noise that dealer couldn't fix during warranty and finally had to sue using lemon law, engine light occasionally comes on engine idles rough (replaced all coil on plugs, still happens). Even though I was given money for the wind noise I have still had to live with it. Dealer and Ford treated me like shit. I work for Ford and will not buy another Ford for my business. Sorry, I tried.

Here is a big problem with the people negotiating this contract. A few years ago I was attending monthly skilled trades meetings at region 1A. There were 4 of us going over applications for journeyman cards. One day one of the lead "bargainers" on this contract, Greg Drudey, came in to our meeting, put his feet up on the table with his sucker in his mouth (no pun intended) and began to tell us how ridiculous it was for people on an assy. line to be paid twenty something dollars to turn a screw. I couldn't believe what I was hearing! First of all I know people on the line do more than just turn a screw. This is the kind of "leadership" we don't need supposedly fighting for us. This is the mentality that we don't need bargaining our contracts. If you ever see him ask him about his compensation that is funded by UAW members who "just turn a screw" all day...including the last dues hike!

carguy....this started happening before affordable care. I was a victim 5 years ago. I was transported from the ER by ambulance to the hospital. In "observation" for 2 nights, given meals, medication etc. Billed $100.00 because I was not "admitted". I went to my benefits rep at Rawsonville who argued and the $100.00 bill was dismissed. Thats when I had a good benefit rep. I'm in Allen Park now and my "benefits rep" sucks.

I could have sworn that I said my wife quit working. No work no make "really good money".

Never make financial decisions based on internet posting boards. Always talk to someone who is familiar with the system (benefits rep or company person that does this for a living). Retire when you are ready, you don't owe anyone any favors...I don't think.

I agree with your statement cal. I have worked at 5 different plants and everywhere I went the local mentality was to "take care of their own first" before new UAW members who were transferred. I think by now we should all be able to understand that being transferred to another facility is not that unusual or out of the question. I support the whole union concept but despise the mentality of much of the current leadership.

Working none is not foolish. It shows that someone is managing their life and finances well. If one is living within their means and intelligently budgeting their finances they wont "need" to work OT. That being said, I still work occasional OT because of the fact that my wife had to suddenly stop working due to illness and we are adjusting. To each their own.

Wow...talk about misinformed. Nice try woppo Don't get worried about meritless posts like that MTPwife.

My mistake on the classification. Change the die setter reference to job setter in my post. No I haven't worked at Sterling Heights. Good guess. I'm very familiar with production lines and machining operations. I have worked at a vehicle assembly plant, parts manufacturing plant, pilot plant and R&E. Both trades and production.

I remember working long hours and weeks for a while. It was not worth it (both familiy and health wise). Rarely work over 40 now and life and family are much better. My wife doesn't work any more either. I do without the unecessary BS and am very happy. After so much time working OT you don't see what you are really missing and how your life is affected. Like a drug addict. To each their own but I recommend not becoming addicted to the OT drug. Life goes by and before you know it you have sacrificed the best parts.

Quoted by stepped on. As a tool and die maker who has gotten an associates degree related to my job (tuition paid for by union negotiated contract) while working full time and also gone through a 4 year apprenticeship program I believe that if you want a job like die setter you should have some kind of related education/training before getting the job and be tested to prove it. Butt kissing 101 doesn't count. Also, someone who has operated presses for some length of time, who is actually interested enough to stick with the job for a few years and can demonstrate good mechanical ability is a good place to start. I have repaired too many dies crashed by wiz bang suck asses that we later find should never have been allowed near a press. High and low seniority.

The fact that so many are foolish enough to discuss their wages, benefits, grievances etc in a public forum for the world to see is a fantastic example of ignorance. Why doesn't management etc have a site where they do this? Check your common sense and intelligence.

Be very careful about not paying union dues because you are pissed off about something. Don't you think the company would love that? The old saying "don't cut off your nose to spite your face" would be very fitting. I am very thankful for the standard of living I have due to our union. But I also understand that we have a lot of weak, self serving, azz licking representatives and leadership that threaten our well being. We have to make sure we stand up to and remove the crooks that come to OUR union halls and threaten us. OUR union is a great thing that has been abused by the latest leadership. I remember sitting at a skilled trades meeting at Region 1a a few years ago and a guy named Greg D., who is now working at international on Jefferson in Detroit, came in (with his sucker in his mouth) put his feet up on the table and started running his mouth making comments about people in production making so much money for tightening a bolt etc. This is someone who was involved in bargaining the last contract representing these very people....do we wonder why we gained nothing and gave up so much in the last contract?...this is someone who we pay to fight for us. I see a big problem there! These are people who are in it for themselves.