Bob Rosadini

ah forgot about that..before you went into the tent after a hard hit.

A given! Bad move on Bill's part.

Agree..I did not realize that was a part of the package...then again maybe mgmt thinks the union would have a mutiny if it decided to pull "survivors" out on the street. In any case, with labor cost going up so much. I would think any facility that is not at a high utilization rate will be suspect. Then add the long term..note long term...picture when EV's finally make sense and can stand on their own without subsidies. what does that mean as far as engines, transmissions etc. That is the point, if shrewd on union's part, dumb on Ford's.

with covered employees? Supervisors yes, but guys in the barganing unit?

Both TT and your comment valid. I see more and more Hino and Isuzu class 5/6 's running around. There IS a market IMO for a class 5-7 LCF. Make the unskilled "driver" more productive instead of pushing 60" of hood in front of him. I've probably commented before on this but when Ford had a 550 E series with a solid front axle a dealer friend finally got a non Ford account to try a couple..they loved them then Ford pulls the plug.

Fuzzy ..isn't that wishful thinking?? Ford can offer a package but that only gets the senior guys out. And I'm sure some of them are the sandbaggers you want to see gone, but my guess would be there are more junior guys with a "I don't give a shit" attitude who are the problem. And where will these slugs get a job with the pay and beni's Ford has. They are in fat city! Next time around Ford should push for more defined classifications that truly require skills. Fair that these guys get 40 bucks...but someone who pulls two parts out of a bin, sticks them in a valve body and pushes it down the line? 20 bucks! If you have such skill/difficulty classifications let me know

The sad fact is if what I read is correct, the vote for the top dog position for the first time was a popular vote of the total UAW membership vs I guess a vote by regional UAW brass?? That being the case the voter turnout was 11%! You can bet Fain had organized the radicals and too many reasonable guys stayed home. Sad lesson unless the idiots are challenged everyday on the line, at lunch, in the locker room, the ignorant prevail as I see it.

And I stopped my trial?

Ice, you make some good points but like I said in another post, watch what happens now to minimize that labor cost disadvantage. 10 years ago grocery store checkout people were old dudes like me, young kids or part timers earning extra money. Today a lot of the big chains are organized...and I usually go to the self check out...quick, swipe my points earning card, and I'm gone.

Detrimental in the sense with such high labor costs vs the Toyotas, Hondas, Kias etc how can you minimize that disadvantage? -Invest in more automation -increase preassembled components. - make design changes to simplify assembly process -eliminate marginal products -develop JVs such as Bluediamond etc Bottom line with no cost spread or minimal between senior guys at top rate and junior guys that much closer to the top vs old extended progression rates incentive to cut manpower is there..seniority list is a bitch!

Yah think?????? take it to the bank!

For sure..std procedure you always have proposals that are throw aways in the negotiating process. I think Fain had some that were just plain unrealistic-raw meat he was throwing out . These unattainable proposals just fuel the fire with the dummies in the bargaining unit that just make it tougher to get a majority vote from the membership. IMO, responsible union leadership doesn't let unrealistic proposals or "demands" get on the table. A guy like Fain will in the long run prove detrimental to the fate of a lot of junior members.

IMO, best settlement is one in which neither side wins. That indicates compromise was made by both. Unfortunately Fain will be pounding his chest like he really delivered on all of his unrealistic proposals. No mention will be made of lost real wages and stress he created for a lot of households. Hopefully Bill Ford will continue taking the high ground and do his best to keep Ford an American institution-something that is not in Fain's long term playbook I fear.

He is. Again,not sure on name but he hired some guy on his staff who is an absolute socialist. Shows you where Fain's head is......actually bad statement, can't be in two places at once?

Hmn..I heard a newscast this AM that said Fain on Friday said there would be no more expansion of striking facilities or words to that affect. Guess the boys at the Ram plant made a move on their own...can't be a case of Fain being misquoted?

Give me a break! The Battle of the Bridge?? How many years ago? Was Bill Ford even on this earth then? Oh you forgot about the "five dollar day"..Why don't you talk about the recent UAW leaders who are in the "can"..and if not in jail they paid how much in fines? And as to your comment that many know the history of Ford's "abusive paternalism" probably a greater percentage think Walter Reuther was a tackle for the Lions.

Very good-you have made the case that they have a good deal....defined benefit pensions??? That ship sailed a long time ago. Only thing in the way now is Fain's arrogance.

How would a lock out put Ford on the hook for millions in pay.? Does put a huge hurt on Fain's strike fund though.

re Bill Ford's speech I appreciate the fact in this world of giant corporate entities, Ford remains a true family business. Many will say that is BS, but I spent 44 years in the same industry...half of that time with an international giant, and the rest with a very large family owned entity. I always said, the difference?..in the former you had to worry about being stabbed in the back by a corporate ladder climber...working for the latter?..you had to be worried about being punched in the mouth by an owner. Bill Ford didn't punch anyone in the mouth, but his speech brought it down to a very personal level. He has stockholders now to answer to- unlike Hank the Deuce when he took over in 1947, but I believe he has the interest of his employees in mind when he talks about what is at stake....it is more than just the stockholders.

No, I would say it is a case of taking a pass on the Kool-Aid, or just using your head.

saw an ad today for a new Lexus...highlighting 3 row seating. Look very Ford like to me!

I read that Trotman was the guilty party that ruined the Taurus. He was shown original designs and rejected them with instructions to make them ..."more Ovoid" or words to that effect. Anyone confirm that? Only Ford that I would ever asmit in spite of my prejudice...."just plain ugly"!

And if one of these independent contractors wants a bigger piece of the pie do you give it to him? No -you tell him to take a hike and get another guy who is fed up with working for a "company" and can be his own boss working for you. You thrive on someone who dreams of having something of his own..for a while anyway.

How true that is. Plus how many of the younger generation grew up in a household that was a "Ford, GM or Mopar" household??? My bet is most of them under 30 did not. The brand loyalty factor that I grew up with doesn't exist. It exists with my sons..and daughter in laws in particular- as it is a matter of staying in the will?

You did infer he drives a Prius right? Case closed..while not all "Prius Owners" think alike, a good clue as to how many of them think?