stapelec

You can bet it will hinge on two-tiered wages.......

I'm more interested in trades, we're hearing another round of buy-outs will be offered in the spring.

I don't why I keep coming back to this thread. I keep hoping there might something useful on here. Maybe something that might be helpful to the people in St Thomas and Windsor.

I tried to find something to substantiate the rumour, but was unable to. The best I was able to find was Ford was offered $150 million to retool STAP by the Ontario Government. As far as I'm concerned that's enough to throw sand in Mondragon's face for comments that he's making. http://www.simcoereformer.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2158483 The same article appeared in the lfp as well. But ultimately, I still believe Ford's plans are to pull out of Canada altogether. Mondragon is just beginning the ground work to lay blame on the Governments and the CAW.

I hope this wasn't your home plant. http://www.cbc.ca/canada/windsor/story/2010/08/24/windsor-ford-union-wage-cuts.html If you get recalled you'll be working for less than you are now!!!!!

Oh ya, here's one to add fuel to the fire....... http://www.cbc.ca/canada/windsor/story/2010/08/24/windsor-ford-union-wage-cuts.html Windsor Engine Plant vote themselves a 35% wage cut........nice.....bring on that race to the bottom.....

Mondragon actually needs to come clean with how much money was offered to Ford by the Canadian governments to keep STAP open. If he did, he wouldn't have much of an argument and wouldn't be able to shift blame to the governments when Ford pulls out of Canada altogether. Plain and simple, the Canadian governments offered Ford an open cheque book to keep STAP open, but Ford refused.

I think you are exactly right, Ford is planning to pull out of Canada altogether.

Yup, I saw that. Spells out Ford's intent pretty clearly. When Ford's committment to OAC is done in 2018, so is OAC. OAC will go exactly as STAP.

Just came across this article, Windsor Essex Aluminum Plant voted for a 35% wage cut in order to try to win new product to keep the plant open. http://iphone.cbc.ca/canada/ottawa/story/2010/08/24/windsor-ford-union-wage-cuts.html Can you Guys say "opening a can of worms". Windsor Essex Aluminum Plant is slated for closure Nov./11.

I tried to find something in writing but wasn't able to, but I'm going to keep looking. I believe with the "permanently idled" statement, that buys Ford 3-5 years to come up with a bussiness plan for the government, weather level the building or sell it. Oh, I loved your statement!!!!! "Besides, I'm sure once all the tooling is pulled out, there will be plenty of room to store all the repairs that come out of Oakville. " And Oakville is next, after 2018, I suspect they're done too. I think Ford's intentions are to pull out of Canada altogether.

When it comes to evironmental issues, the government can tell Ford exactly what to do, weather it's their land or not. Ford just can't leave the building standing and walk away.

I'd say that's a given. I guessing it has something to do with the government, if they say "closed" they have to demolish the building and return it to farm land. If they say "permanently idle" it buys them time of what to do with the building, and ultimately saving Ford money.

Well, we got our letters from Ford today and as confirmed earlier the date is Aug. 31, 2011, which oddly enough is a Wednesday. What's strange about the letter is the wording, instead of saying the plant will be closed on that date, it uses the phrase "permanently idled". We've looked in the agreement and called the union and as of yet we have not found a definition of the phrase "permanently idled" I'm sure it has something to do legaleeze, but does anyone have an exact definition? Thanks

The only thing I can tell you for certain, is that the people that are leaving now have taken the STEP program, about 90 people. There were 27 people who did have new jobs, they were retirement eligable, they were told they couldn't leave because of some government loophole. I doubt there will be anyone transferring to Oakville.

The way I understand it, Aug.31/2011 is the last day of production. Sure to expect they'll be plenty of downweeks prior to that, especially after we stop buliding the GM at the end of this year. Anyone can leave now with their packages, except the ones sitting on the bubble or planning to retire. There will be some trades after the 31st but no-one knows for how long at this point. Information is pretty lacking at this point, alot of guessing and rumours.

Just got it confirmed supervision has been told by upper management Aug. 31, 2011 is the closure date. It's going to be a sad day, good plant, good people.

Morning All We're hearing Ford approached CAW National with the closure date of Aug. 31, 2011. And Ford is back negotiating more of the closure language. Has anyone heard anything that would substantuate this? Thanks

We were told Aug of 2011 during contact neg. last Oct. We've haven't received our 1 year notice letters yet, but many are expecting them this summer.

We're seeing on Ward's Auto Vehicle scheduling, that the 2011 CV model year has been extended. No indication of how long though.

Don't know if it's true but heard today STAP trustees were being called to Toronto tonight. We could be looking at a tentative deal tomarrow. No product commitment = a NO vote for me.

Thanks for the vote of confedience, it's funny you mentioned some of those things, those are rumours that have been floating around our plant for awhile. It's amazing we're still able to build quality vehicles with automation we have have, 20 year old robots just don't cut it anymore.

There's no question that I'm biased. We all remain hopeful. Hope for the best, but plan for the worst.

I wouldn't call it "iffy". Ford controls 75% of the police and taxi market with the CV, do they really want to risk giving that up. IMO it's more risky to try to get the police to accept the new Taurus as a replacement vehicle, they've made it quite clear they prefer a RWD car.

If Ford doesn't a commitment to maintaining it's current manufacturing presense in Canada chances of consessions ratifying are slim to nil, At that point we'll continue on our current contract till Sept. 2011. The problem is that if that happens all Canadian operations could be at risk. St. Thomas will definitely close and production could be pulled from Oakville. The biggest thing St. Thomas has going for it right now is that Ford hasn't announced closure, right now it appears to be a pawn.