lapsergio

One thing chassisgrunt is hitting on also...I used to believe that you shouldn't be able to run for elected union positions until 5 or maybe even 10 years of time in the system. Too many times, guys enter for one reason, to get off the line. Let them be on the line for at least 5 years before being allowed to run for a union position.

So all it takes is an argument with your team for them to vote you out...right? I say screw that. Seniority is the only thing we have left. I have never been the type to kiss ass or please all that I work with. Voting system is garbage. Hell, lets vote every position at KTP. There should be NO APPOINTED, VOTED, SURVEYED, etc... Allow seniority to settle the debate. A good worker would still get booted if their team simply doesn't like him. Not fair one iota.

I've had great upgraders/group leaders, I've had shitty ones. I have dealt with both situations. The company would love to eliminate ALL bid jobs, never allow them to eliminate any, help create them. When you have enough seniority, you will want to bid on a better job. As for voting them in/out...that's sounds like the whole favoritism/buddy-system. If a good worker isn't like by everyone, he will never get the support of a team to be their leader. I like seniority having the final say. If you have enough time to get the bid...the job is yours.

LAP is next...be hearing that for about a year.

Wouldn't that job be about the same as Group Leader at LAP? If so, it has to be a bid job. Don't ever allow them to take away being able to use your seniority. The only people who are ever opposed to being able to use your seniority usually don't have much. I am all for bidding all jobs...we are in process of eliminating all survey jobs at LAP and making all of them bid, which is exactly the way it should be.

KTP isn't in good shape either. There are no openings at KTP for anyone that will be laid off in August. KTP is getting ready to layoff some as well. We currently have everyone working, KTP has rolling voluntary layoffs now, with regular layoffs to occur soon.

I spoke to a man on dayshift in the shop at LAP with '89 seniority that has put in for his return to KTP, his home plant.

Thanks for clearing things up.

Didn't realize you guys had that many temps on roll...that could help create some spots for some LAP workers in the future. I don't see LAP getting their 2nd shift back IMHO. Chicago has a much greater chance of getting theirs back first.

I am wondering how much your weekly wages are if you've accepted the 2 year vs. the 4 year education buyout. I know it's 70% vs. 50% of a 40 hour check minus COLA or shift premiums, etc... But, is there anyone out there that can confirm the amount? Thanks!

The F-150 diesel will be built at KTP, not sure when it's launched, but it's going to KTP, I do know that.

Hearing week of March 10th will be a down week now. Schedule already shows that LAP will be down more than ten weeks this year.

'93 at LAP

KTP is getting the F-150 diesel, heard that to be fact about three months ago. And it also shows the next generation Ranger coming to KTP.

We've been using the hell out of the "go-home list" this week at LAP...lots of extra people walking around.

Ford receives approval for state incentives, will invest $200 million at Kentucky Truck Plant Business First of Louisville - by Brent Adams Business First Staff Writer In a videoconference meeting held this morning, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority gave final approval to an incentive package for Ford Motor Co. that paves the way for the automaker to invest $200 million at the Kentucky Truck Plant in eastern Jefferson County. Ford will receive $24 million in credits over 10 years. It also will be allowed to transfer up to $36 million in unused credits for which it was approved in 1998 and 2001. To receive the credits, Ford must invest the $200 million, and employment at the Chamberlain Lane plant cannot drop below 3,511. The plant currently has 4,137 workers. KEDFA board member Aubrey Hayden, a senior vice president for Chase bank in Louisville, said he was pleased with the incentive package and with Ford's decision to continue to invest in Louisville. He said that next to large incentive packages that have been granted to United Parcel Service Inc. in the past, this is one of the largest incentive packages the KEDFA board has approved. "And rightfully so," Hayden said. "They're our two largest employers." Anne Marie Gattari, Ford's Dearborn, Mich.-based director of public affairs for production, said that the incentives will be used to help "maximize" the company's investment in "general modernization" of the operations at Kentucky Truck Plant. She declined to disclose specific plans or a timetable for upgrades at the plant. Final package differs from preliminary offer The KEDFA board in June granted preliminary approval under the Kentucky Jobs Retention Act to give up to $26.25 million for up to 10 years, on an investment of $105 million. Ford also was to receive a transfer of incentives of $20 million of unused tax credits approved in 1998 and $20 million of credits approved in 2001 to be applied to the expansion of the Chamberlain Lane plant. The incentives were based on an employment of 5,177 and an allowance for a 3 percent annual employment reduction at the plant. Ford would have had to pay a penalty if employment dipped below 4,529. But KEDFA officials today said the 5,177 number shouldn't have been used because it included temporary workers and a number of workers who had accepted a voluntary buyout offer from Ford. The incentives the board approved today were based on current employment of 4,137. The plan allows for a 3 percent annual employment reduction, and Ford will have to pay a penalty if employment drops below 3,511. The board adjusted the tax credits that can be transferred to reflect the lower employment level. Under the agreement, KEDFA can require full repayment of the $36 million in transferred tax credits if Ford fails to invest $100 million at the Kentucky Truck Plant within three years of today's approval. If the plant closes during the term of the incentives, or if employment drops below 3,511 after the fifth year of receiving incentives, KEDFA can recover a prorated portion of the $36 million of transferred credits. Still no word on Louisville Assembly Plant Tax incentives approved today apply only to the Kentucky Truck Plant. Ford's plans for the Louisville Assembly Plant on Fern Valley Road are still unclear. Gabby Bruno, a Dearborn-based government relations manager for Ford, told KEDFA board members today that the company hopes to "come back to the table soon" with a proposal for additional investment at both plants. As part of the new four-year agreement between Ford and the United Auto Workers, Ford agreed to build flexible body shops at both plants and agreed to bring production of a new vehicle to Louisville Assembly Plant. Gattari declined to disclose any plans for investment at the Louisville Assembly Plant, citing a company policy for not discussing future product offerings.

I would've personally remained at UPS, where I worked 4 years before I came to Ford. No way would I do some of the jobs in trim for that amount of money. I hired in for 13.50 an hour and made over 40k my 1st year.

Good to see them sell it and create some new jobs.

I know St. Louis used to have one, and LAP still has one (www.scottrlap.proboards75.com). Anyone else know of any others? Thanks! www.scottrlap.proboards75.com

Feel the love! Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

Yeah, I'm a regular there also. Just saw that he posted only january 14th week is scheduled for now. Address for others... www.scottrlap.proboards75.com

for retooling, so we're hearing. Possibly 6 weeks downtime for some major retooling, hearing of two new products in our future beginning the fall '09.

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/070925/auto_talks.html?.v=29 UAW, GM Close to Reaching Contract Deal Tuesday September 25, 10:22 pm ET By Dee-Ann Durbin and Tom Krisher, AP Auto Writers UAW and GM Bargainers for Close to Reaching Contract Agreement That Would End Strike DETROIT (AP) -- Bargainers for the United Auto Workers and General Motors Corp. on Tuesday night were close to reaching a contract agreement that would end a nationwide strike by 73,000 workers, two people who were briefed on the talks said. ADVERTISEMENT Negotiators began work Tuesday morning and were talking into the night in an effort to halt the strike, which started at 11 a.m. Monday at about 80 GM facilities across the country. Both of the people requested anonymity because the talks are private. One said negotiating teams were working out "small details," while the other said that work was almost wrapped up on an innovative plan for the company to pay the union to form a trust and take over responsibility for retiree health care. But Tuesday night, picketers remained at the GM factories and other facilities, although several industry analysts said they expected the walkout to be short. A 1970 strike against GM went on for 69 days and helped push the nation into a recession, but industry watchers didn't think that would happen this time. Both sides have something the other desires -- the workers want job security, GM wants the union to take on the burden of retiree health care -- and that's the stuff that agreements are made of. "The UAW and GM understand that a strike is a lose/lose proposition," Deutsche Bank analyst Rod Lache said Tuesday in a note to investors.

http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews...20070926?rpc=44 An agreement could include a health-care trust with a guarantee on cost-inflation and another attrition plan, Selle said. It could also include second-tier wages for new hires, reform of the Jobs banks and increased use of temporary workers, he said. "In turn, we expect GM to commit to future platforms at specific U.S. plants, benchmark minimum employment levels and a $7,000 per worker signing bonus," Selle said. UAW workers received a $3,000 signing bonus in 2003. GM's plants are more efficient and flexible now than ever, and declining market share in North America has left the automaker with excess capacity. GM could commit to long-term contracts and investments in U.S. plants to break the stalemate, but the UAW would have to be more willing to sacrifice on hourly wages and benefits, said Scott Watkins, an Anderson Economic Group consultant. The East Lansing, Michigan-based Anderson Economic Group has worked with GM, Ford (F.N: Quote, Profile, Research), Chrysler and several auto parts suppliers and car dealers. It has not worked with the UAW, but has done work with the Service Employees International Union. Erich Merkle, an analyst at consulting firm IRN Inc, said job and investment guarantees could help resolve the strike, but the GM-UAW relationship has been built on guarantee after guarantee with a life-time commitment to new hourly hires. "We live in a world where guarantees just don't exist," Merkle said. "They are an island in the middle of the ocean." Settling the labor contract would not solve all of GM's problems, Merkle said. The automaker also must get the market to consider its vehicles a viable alternative not just to Ford or Chrysler, but to Honda and Toyota. "I hope this is a short strike, Merkle said. "If it is anything long and protracted, than it is going to be brutal."

Not gonna happen. As of right now, the unibody Explorer is on hold until further notice. LAP may get a product, and they may not, but one thing's for sure: everyone with 15 plus years will not be going to KTP. That would be about 700-800 people...no way KTP has room for that many people. Maybe 300 at best with buyouts, rest get chance to move, while many take buyouts that will be offered when closure is announced. I still believe a product is coming, but nothing will shock or suprise.