NEWS REPORT AIRS TUESDAY, 11-14

[PlentyOfPain]

A while back, I posted here asking for Ford insiders to provide their perspective for a series of news reports I was producing. Many of you responded and provided much material for which I am grateful.

 

At the time, I thought it best not to fully identify myself so that I could gather as much information as possible without the interference and pressure I expected from Ford and other companies that were the subject of our investigation. By the way, I was told--and later confirmed--that Ford closely monitors this and other forums.

 

In any event, my name is Steve Wilson. I am the Chief Investigative Reporter at WXYZ (ABC-TV) in Detroit. At the time of my postings, I promised to let you know when the reports would be broadcast. They are now set to air tomorrow (Nov. 14). Three different reports will air Tuesday at 5, 6, and 11 p.m. (EST)

 

In these three broadcasts, we're reporting how CEO's in the troubled auto industry have asked for extreme sacrifices based on a promise that all will workers will share the pain, from top to bottom, at Ford and elsewhere. Despite that, many of those at the top have been exempt from the belt tightening they expect from other working people. Specifically, some of the very same CEO's cutting jobs and closing factories are quietly spending hundreds of thousands of their company's dollars to fly in their corporate jets on purely personal vacation and other leisure trips. In one case, weekly commutes from Detroit to Florida where an executive prefers to live is costing upwards of $50,000--that's arguably the cost of another lost job every week.

 

In addition to our broadcasts which will be seen on the air in Detroit and then available at our website (www.wxyz.com), you are invited to participate in a discussion on a live web chat. This is scheduled to start Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. (EST). At that time, I'll be responding to both e-mails and telephone calls and am very interested in what you have to say.

 

Regardless of where you live, you can join the web event and communicate with us by e-mail or telephone calls we'll take at that time. You can also e-mail me personally and privately, if you prefer, at my e-maill adress: wilson@wxyz.com

 

Thanks again to all of you who provided some important information and unique insight, as well as to those of you who may join us on the web Tuesday evening.

 

Steve Wilson

WXYZ (ABC) Channel 7 - Detroit

wilson@wxyz.com

[rougemillwright]

I'm looking forward to watching your report.

[dtpm]

I will too be watching because what you will be reporting affects all of us. It is going to be very interesting to see how they spin this to the public once it is made public. Sad because they make things appear worse than what they really are when in fact it is only just a smoke screen to an extent. I am in no way saying help is needed in many areas but it just goes to show you that people still are using the funds on all levels. I really thought they would tighten down on the spending since they tell the public they are hurting and if someone is hired they should be required to live in the area of where they work. All of us working on the line are required to be at work but I do not see Ford handing people money for extra miles driven. Part of a guy working in upper management should have a clause that states if he decides to live other that the area he works in then that person should foot the bill. This is all about choice and if you want to live in Florida then stay in Florida. You think people from NAP, Atlanta, ST. Louis, or any other plant that has closed will be given the option to fly into work? Simple fact is when the plants shutter and the ones affected by the way forward plan get transfer orders, they are told to report on a set date. If you don't show up it means you do not wish to work and that is as far as the company feels. Not to mention that these people have to uproot they're whole lives and move once the job is established so it could be sometime the family is together. I am very interested to see how things are now since things are alittle different in the House and Senete.

 

I do think everyone at some compacity understand Ford watches the boards here too. If not they you should understand that much. Not really sure why they do but hey at one point this site had some technical issues.

 

Now I wait to see what they have to say after this report... One thing they should for one make sure they money is paid back, and two move if you want to work here. Like it or not an example has to be made so everyone understands that we all are really in a fight for our lives. This starts at the top to set a pattern so everyone sees.

 

This company has allowed 2 generations to live very comfortable depending on how you spend your money. I hope it stays for a 3rd or 4th....

[hendew_15]

I definetly am not going to miss this shit.We can watch and participate online correct?

[Lifter]

A while back, I posted here asking for Ford insiders to provide their perspective for a series of news reports I was producing. Many of you responded and provided much material for which I am grateful.

 

At the time, I thought it best not to fully identify myself so that I could gather as much information as possible without the interference and pressure I expected from Ford and other companies that were the subject of our investigation. By the way, I was told--and later confirmed--that Ford closely monitors this and other forums.

 

In any event, my name is Steve Wilson. I am the Chief Investigative Reporter at WXYZ (ABC-TV) in Detroit. At the time of my postings, I promised to let you know when the reports would be broadcast. They are now set to air tomorrow (Nov. 14). Three different reports will air Tuesday at 5, 6, and 11 p.m. (EST)

 

In these three broadcasts, we're reporting how CEO's in the troubled auto industry have asked for extreme sacrifices based on a promise that all will workers will share the pain, from top to bottom, at Ford and elsewhere. Despite that, many of those at the top have been exempt from the belt tightening they expect from other working people. Specifically, some of the very same CEO's cutting jobs and closing factories are quietly spending hundreds of thousands of their company's dollars to fly in their corporate jets on purely personal vacation and other leisure trips. In one case, weekly commutes from Detroit to Florida where an executive prefers to live is costing upwards of $50,000--that's arguably the cost of another lost job every week.

 

In addition to our broadcasts which will be seen on the air in Detroit and then available at our website (www.wxyz.com), you are invited to participate in a discussion on a live web chat. This is scheduled to start Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. (EST). At that time, I'll be responding to both e-mails and telephone calls and am very interested in what you have to say.

 

Regardless of where you live, you can join the web event and communicate with us by e-mail or telephone calls we'll take at that time. You can also e-mail me personally and privately, if you prefer, at my e-maill adress: wilson@wxyz.com

 

Thanks again to all of you who provided some important information and unique insight, as well as to those of you who may join us on the web Tuesday evening.

 

Steve Wilson

WXYZ (ABC) Channel 7 - Detroit

wilson@wxyz.com

The WXYZ web site says that it will be on Thursday night instead of Tues. Sounds interesting. Gonna tune in............

[AAISkinsFan]

Thanks Steve...looking forward to it.

[Footballfan]

I have heard several rumors that it cost Ford $50,000 a week to fly a certain Ford president from Dearborn to Palm Beach; thanks Steve for airing the truth. Hopefully this will result in some positive change.

[Lifter]

Funny. The site tells me Tuesday.

 

http://www.detnow.com/wxyz/on_action_news/...5134750,00.html

 

 

 

 

Go back to the site and go to the homepage, look under the video in the middle of the screen,, it says Thursday nite.

[objectsinmirror]

First, thank you Steve for at least giving the average citizen of Detroit and around the country a look at the other side of the picture regarding the auto industry. The people I work with every day and the people I have met during my years working in the Rouge Complex in Dearborn are some of the most down to earth, freindly, honest and knowledgable people I've ever seen. I'm positive that this is how it is at every Ford plant in the country.

 

I brought my skills with me on that first day I walked into the plant, not knowing much about the internal operations of the place or if I would "fit in" at all. I can remember walking through the gates...To me, for what I chose as a career, this place was truly magical. A single rail engine and one railroad car stopped my progress. I was in wonder as I watched the orange hot ingot on the car slowly pass. I could feel the heat from 10 yards away! Everything was Ford, the company trucks, the blue oval was everywhere. I was walking in to get a physical exam right on site and I remember feeling the deep sense of history these buildings have. How Henry Ford himself must have felt walking through here in this little industrial town he built. I felt more like I was on a tour of a very historical place. As if I was walking through a place like that brewery in Saint Louis. When the day ended, I would have to go home with just fond memories of that tour. However, this was more...this would be my job. I was very exited and amazed at how people in there were. Kind and freindly were these workers, hustling to thier respective plants. Everyone, and I mean everyone said "hello" to me as I walked past. It was like inside these gates time was frozen and politeness and helpfulness prevailed. There wasn't and still isn't a rude person that I could find anywhere.

 

The week before, during my interview, I was asked "are you willing to do things 'our' way, until you can prove us different?" My answer was easy. "I've never worked in a place so cool, so I guess your way will BE my way" This was 13 years ago.

 

 

Now I'm forced to ponder my fate, along with all these wonderful people from across the country with whom I have a special bond....We are autoworkers, we make vehicles and we enjoy doing so.

 

Fair is fair, I believe. If cuts are needed, then so be it. But to be part of this company whose motto was Fords family of workers, and to even hear about a squandering of assets at a time of such fiscal urgency, is very disheartening. It seems Ford's top brass has lost that structure of family. The best and probably the only thing they need to tell us is what plants are closing and when...NOT hold out 9 plants as a hammer. I guess I don't want to do things "this way" for it isn't "my way".

 

Our CEO said to the media just this week, that the buyouts were "on track" or "a liitle ahead"...how could he know that without final buyout numbers. No one will know that until the 27th.

I believe it is time for honesty and forthright behavior from the company, the UAW, the media and all Ford autoworkers.

 

Otherwise, we'll just have a nice historical place to "tour".

Edited November 14, 2006 by objectsinmirror

[Lifter]

Go back to the site and go to the homepage, look under the video in the middle of the screen,, it says Thursday nite.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dont know where you are lookin, clicked on your link, there it was, under the video,INVESTIGATORS,,AUTO EXECS FLYING HIGH> Tuesday

[pant load]

Hey Steve

Our new CEO says he wants to run Ford like Toyota, correct me if I am wrong but don't their executives get paid a lot less than their US counterparts? What would Toyota do if there stock was in the tank like Fords and their car line was ignored for the fast buck on suv's and trucks. If that is true than Mr. Mullally should either change his message to "run Ford kind of like Toyota in the certain areas we want to discuss". Or just REDUCE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION TO BE COMPARIBLE TO TOYOTA.

 

Hey Ford Exec's What Would Toyota Do?

[objectsinmirror]

Funny. The site tells me Tuesday.

 

http://www.detnow.com/wxyz/on_action_news/...5134750,00.html

 

It will air on TV in the Detroit area on tuesday....It will be put on the website as an archived story on thursday...the only way for out of towners to participate will be on the web chat link...probably

[TCAP'er]

A while back, I posted here asking for Ford insiders to provide their perspective for a series of news reports I was producing. Many of you responded and provided much material for which I am grateful.

 

At the time, I thought it best not to fully identify myself so that I could gather as much information as possible without the interference and pressure I expected from Ford and other companies that were the subject of our investigation. By the way, I was told--and later confirmed--that Ford closely monitors this and other forums.

 

In any event, my name is Steve Wilson. I am the Chief Investigative Reporter at WXYZ (ABC-TV) in Detroit. At the time of my postings, I promised to let you know when the reports would be broadcast. They are now set to air tomorrow (Nov. 14). Three different reports will air Tuesday at 5, 6, and 11 p.m. (EST)

 

In these three broadcasts, we're reporting how CEO's in the troubled auto industry have asked for extreme sacrifices based on a promise that all will workers will share the pain, from top to bottom, at Ford and elsewhere. Despite that, many of those at the top have been exempt from the belt tightening they expect from other working people. Specifically, some of the very same CEO's cutting jobs and closing factories are quietly spending hundreds of thousands of their company's dollars to fly in their corporate jets on purely personal vacation and other leisure trips. In one case, weekly commutes from Detroit to Florida where an executive prefers to live is costing upwards of $50,000--that's arguably the cost of another lost job every week.

 

In addition to our broadcasts which will be seen on the air in Detroit and then available at our website (www.wxyz.com), you are invited to participate in a discussion on a live web chat. This is scheduled to start Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. (EST). At that time, I'll be responding to both e-mails and telephone calls and am very interested in what you have to say.

 

Regardless of where you live, you can join the web event and communicate with us by e-mail or telephone calls we'll take at that time. You can also e-mail me personally and privately, if you prefer, at my e-maill adress: wilson@wxyz.com

 

Thanks again to all of you who provided some important information and unique insight, as well as to those of you who may join us on the web Tuesday evening.

 

Steve Wilson

WXYZ (ABC) Channel 7 - Detroit

wilson@wxyz.com

 

Lets Not forget our international union officials doing the same shit. Specially in Vegas. Did you look at the last report names something like " how our union officials spending our memberhsip dues?" invetigate and check that out, and report that too. Lets be fair and balance on both side of the fences, should we? (company CEO or and union CEO, what the different?) they all crooked to the Nth degree.

[sparks will fly]

Objectsinmirror, great post more of what we talk about here in KC. The fact is that most of the hourly workforce feel betrayed when for years that family feeling was there. That betrayal has caused a low moral, and a bitter taste in the mouths of many. About 13 years ago I met the girl that is now my wife and she was working for AT&T. When we talked about our jobs she couldn't believe some of the things that Ford was doing, she said that AT&T had stopped doing anything good for them for some time. We have both come to realize that Ford was just slower to get to the greedy corporation style of business, where it is screw the little guy.

 

Steve I look forward to watching your story online as soon as it is on, Tues or Thurs? Why don't you put a link on for us when we can watch so these guys don't have to argue about it. The part that you mention about MF (no that's not My Friend) does not surprise me at all, his arrogrance boils over everytime he is in the public eye. For all the people that he has stuck it to, his day will come and he will wonder how it could happen to him.

Footballfan he won't change unless Allen makes him stop. The only way that he will stop him is if Steve embarrasses him enough to make it stop.

[castro_bigdog]

Cant wait to see this on TV this will be cool...........................

[chkchka]

Woohoo funny how I responded to that last report about the guys taking 4 hour lunches and suggested they would be better spent looking into how the executives are spending their lunch breaks. At least one reporter in Detroit has the right idea.

[Footballfan]

Steve I look forward to watching your story online as soon as it is on, Tues or Thurs? Why don't you put a link on for us when we can watch so these guys don't have to argue about it. The part that you mention about MF (no that's not My Friend) does not surprise me at all, his arrogrance boils over everytime he is in the public eye. For all the people that he has stuck it to, his day will come and he will wonder how it could happen to him.

Footballfan he won't change unless Allen makes him stop. The only way that he will stop him is if Steve embarrasses him enough to make it stop.

 

I hope you are right my friend. But I think that Mually should go one step further- clean house of many of these execs that were in place before Mually got there. The fact that a company is spending $2.6 million a year for private jets is unacceptable. Whoever is utilizing this "perk" and the people that allowed it to happn in the first place should be canned.

[sandusky plastics]

Go back to the site and go to the homepage, look under the video in the middle of the screen,, it says Thursday nite.

[Ckr01]

http://wxyz.com/wxyz/on_action_news/articl...5134750,00.html

[Gibson Grrrl]

This is gonna be great viewing. Steve Wilson kicks ass. I hope Ford Jr. didn't send his goons out to rough up Wilson on their doorstep like Kwamee did.

[Trimdingman]

Ford's biggest cost is buying parts from vendors. That is where the focus should be. Just because someone, like myself, has the Ford logo on his paycheck, doesn't make him any more important than someone who, say for example, works in a steering wheel factory. What someone like myself says shouldn't carry any more weight than what he says. We just do a job, and collect a paycheck. If we get laid off, we get laid off. A private company lives or dies depending on the popularity of its products. The socialists want to bring our capitalist society down. Believe me, you do not want to live under a socialist system. Maybe you do, but I don't. PlentyOfPain, tell that to the viewing public. You seem to be intent on bringing Ford down. Who are you working for?

The hundreds of thousands who directly, or indirectly depend on Ford for their livelyhoods are not going to be very impressed. By the way, I am not management, just a working stiff.

Edited November 14, 2006 by Trimdingman

[davdog]

Ford's biggest cost is buying parts from vendors. That is where the focus should be. Just because someone, like myself, has the Ford logo on his paycheck, doesn't make him any more important than someone who, say for example, works in a steering wheel factory. What someone like myself says shouldn't carry any more weight than what he says. We just do a job, and collect a paycheck. If we get laid off, we get laid off. A private company lives or dies depending on the popularity of its products. The socialists want to bring our capitalist society down. Believe me, you do not want to live under a socialist system. Maybe you do, but I don't. PlentyOfPain, tell that to the viewing public. You seem to be intent on bringing Ford down. Who are you working for?

The hundreds of thousands who directly, or indirectly depend on Ford for their livelyhoods are not going to be very impressed. By the way, I am not management, just a working stiff.

 

 

But you do work under a socialist system.

[Trimdingman]

But you do work under a socialist system.

 

 

True, but not by choice. Ford is an anomality. I can probably make more working for Ford than working for myself. That is only because cars are very popular. Take your Ford money, and use it to do something on the side. I could have bought a 6/49 ticket, but instead, I made out a Ford application.

[tyme2wkup]

Woohoo funny how I responded to that last report about the guys taking 4 hour lunches and suggested they would be better spent looking into how the executives are spending their lunch breaks. At least one reporter in Detroit has the right idea.

 

The long lunch guys got 30 days off. Thats a lot of coin. Lets see if the company does anything to the excessive executives! I bet they will use the old doubble standard.

[OLORD]

Hey Steve

Our new CEO says he wants to run Ford like Toyota, correct me if I am wrong but don't their executives get paid a lot less than their US counterparts? What would Toyota do if there stock was in the tank like Fords and their car line was ignored for the fast buck on suv's and trucks. If that is true than Mr. Mullally should either change his message to "run Ford kind of like Toyota in the certain areas we want to discuss". Or just REDUCE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION TO BE COMPARIBLE TO TOYOTA.

 

Hey Ford Exec's What Would Toyota Do?

I can see it now.....Blue Oval rubber wristbands for all employees.....WWTD.... The bigger question is what will all this dirty laundry do for Fords sales?