In the wake of GM’s announcement, Ford is next to step up to the plate

[hemidakota]

In the wake of GM’s announcement, Ford is next to step up to the plate

Posted Nov 23, 2005, 8:00 AM ET by Erin Mays




After GM announced a plan on Monday to cut 30,000 jobs and close nine plants, it’s Ford’s turn to decide how they’re going to save the American automobile industry. The pressure is on two of Ford’s newest bosses of the Americas, Mark Fields and Anne Stevens, who have seemingly replaced prez Jim Padilla as the “go to” guys.

FoMoCo has already lost $1.4 billion before taxes this year, but Bill Ford said yesterday that he’s not planning on rushing Fields into anything just a month after he took his new job. Industry sources expect the company to follow GM’s lead in plant closing, layoffs, and UAW negotiations involving health care. After addressing the National Press Club in DC yesterday, Ford headed over to the White House to lobby the President for more help in developing alternative drivetrains.

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[gliv]

Well, I guess Ford is taking it in the seat to. Damn.

[satrnbmb]

Is it possible that the comprehensive pay/benefit packages auto union workers get is too high for what the job is worth?

[29 OUTLAW]

I guess some good news for Ford is that Sept 2005 saw the highest monthly sales numbers for the GT (Oct 2005 saw the 2nd highest). Ford should sanction dealers who were initially charging $300K and such. Crap like that causes a log-jam in production and issues a struggling manufacturer doesn’t need.

[phongtap]

Quote: Originally Posted by satrnbmb

Is it possible that the comprehensive pay/benefit packages auto union workers get is too high for what the job is worth?

That's a big part of it. The Generous Motors days are near end.

[CT_SRT]

GM is bullshit they fired 9% of their workforce or something like that the week before thankgsgiving...what assholes...the ceo who is making 4.6 mill a year, couldnt take a little salary cut...What the hell are those people supposed to do?? FUCK GM..THey wll be out of business in 10 years at the rate there going maybe even sooner...(sorry for profanity..touchy subject)...

[toasteroven]

Quote: Originally Posted by CT_SRT

GM is bullshit they fired 9% of their workforce or something like that the week before thankgsgiving...what assholes...the ceo who is making 4.6 mill a year, couldnt take a little salary cut...What the hell are those people supposed to do?? FUCK GM..THey wll be out of business in 10 years at the rate there going maybe even sooner...(sorry for profanity..touchy subject)...

Quote: Originally Posted by satrnbmb

Is it possible that the comprehensive pay/benefit packages auto union workers get is too high for what the job is worth?

Yeah well, if I just lost my $35/hour job tightening screws I'd be pissed too.

"Perhaps if they built more cars that people want to buy..."

But oh, that horse has been flogged to death already.

[Jim]

Quote: Originally Posted by satrnbmb

Is it possible that the comprehensive pay/benefit packages auto union workers get is too high for what the job is worth?

You mean to say....that paying someone $40/hr for a job a monkey could do is out of line with what the free market would naturally yield?

[MySRTfriesrice]

Good. Let GM die. I kind of like Ford, but GM needs to go the way of the DoDo. Hard to believe people still swear by their garbage the call modern automobiles.

[satrnbmb]

Quote: Originally Posted by CT_SRT

GM is bullshit they fired 9% of their workforce or something like that the week before thankgsgiving...what assholes...the ceo who is making 4.6 mill a year, couldnt take a little salary cut...What the hell are those people supposed to do?? FUCK GM..THey wll be out of business in 10 years at the rate there going maybe even sooner...(sorry for profanity..touchy subject)...

Dude it's not even like they're going to be losing a ton of money. When these people get laid off (note: not fired, all these people are laid off) they don't stop getting paid. They go into a "job bank" which means that GM still pays like 90% of their salary to do nothing until they're either rehired by GM or hired by someone else. Look it up sometime. There's guys making S-loads of cash coming to a non operational plant to do crosswords and watch movies.

[satrnbmb]

Quote: Originally Posted by CT_SRT

GM is bullshit they fired 9% of their workforce or something like that the week before thankgsgiving...what assholes...the ceo who is making 4.6 mill a year, couldnt take a little salary cut...What the hell are those people supposed to do?? FUCK GM..THey wll be out of business in 10 years at the rate there going maybe even sooner...(sorry for profanity..touchy subject)...

Read these below. I've never heard of ANY company doing this.

This Article Mentions it

This is more detailed

[Don Spiro]

Gm and Ford are never going to die. Is not possible. They might go in bankrupcy, but that is it. Maybe some of the big guys running this companies should think of getting some pay cuts.

[Exhaust Depot]

Alternative drive trains?


The 100% rise in fuel has caused a big hit the the auto industry so im sure that has alot to do with it.

I know it had alot to do with my former company Delta Airlines filing ch 11.

[CT_SRT]

OK yes there might be a job bank...but only 5000 of the over 7000 who were (laid off)i.e fired are a part of this job bank...so 2000 people are still getting screwed not cool on my list...and what makes the difference between whether u get paid or not after being "laid off"???thats what i really want to know...

[satrnbmb]

Quote: Originally Posted by CT_SRT

and what makes the difference between whether u get paid or not after being "laid off"???thats what i really want to know...

What do you mean?