Ford Workers Reject Contract Changes

bpmurr · #1 11-02-2009, 04:16 PM

According to this article from cnbc Ford works rejected contract changes that would put them in line with their GM and Chrysler counterparts.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/33590223

I'm sorry but these union works must be morons. You just gave GM and Chrysler a competitive advantage over Ford. Ford may be doing better now but they are still a ways away from being a healthy company. It could be game over for Ford with two Federally funded automakers with new product lines that can sell for less.

EPIC FAIL UNION WORKERS!

FYI, I've been a Ford Owner 12 of the 14 years I've been driving

88 Taurus Wagon -used
86 TBird -used
97 Cougar XR-7 -new
99 Cougar V6 -new
2003 Honda Accord Coupe -new (my only non Ford purchase)
2005 Mustang GT -new
95 Mercury Mystique -used (beater)
2010 Shelby GT500 -new

stevez51 · #2 11-02-2009, 04:32 PM

Ford sales are up maybe not for their car line but because people are pissed at the other 2 for taking the bailout $$$

bpmurr · #3 11-02-2009, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevez51

Ford sales are up maybe not for their car line but because people are pissed at the other 2 for taking the bailout $$$

Exactly, and that's what prompted me to buy my GT500 when I was happy with my GT. That feeling isn't going to last forever. (Actually their new cars are good and that helps too) GM or Chrysler, maybe both will get it together at some point and Ford will be left with a high cost of doing business.

b4its2late · #4 11-02-2009, 07:05 PM

Ford is the only one who has shown that they can survive without one cent of our tax money. I do not understand why these workers feel they are better than anyone else at the moment when people everywhere are giving in to concessions to keep their jobs. They should feel lucky to have jobs.

Whatever comes their way, I will not feel sorry for them. There are many people standing in the u/e lines who would feel grateful to be at work.

Evil Yoda · #5 11-02-2009, 07:13 PM

Ford's doing better than those other companies. The union employees want a piece of that. They're taking a risk that their demands will harm Ford and cost them their jobs. We'll see if it pans out for them.

bpmurr · #6 11-02-2009, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evil Yoda

Ford's doing better than those other companies. The union employees want a piece of that. They're taking a risk that their demands will harm Ford and cost them their jobs. We'll see if it pans out for them.

It will with GM and Chrysler dipping into the secret stash of Obama money and union concessions.

b4its2late · #7 11-02-2009, 08:12 PM

Let us not forget one thing ... UAW is part owner of GM now. I don't see Ford allowing that to occur. Kudo's to Ford.

dogfish · #8 11-02-2009, 09:44 PM

Hey Ford Union Members...be grateful you have a job....there are a lot of people who would gladly fill your shoes.

faith · #9 11-03-2009, 06:17 AM

It is times like this that one actually would like to see Ford relocate to a right to work State that does not mandate joining unions. Then hire all those people out there who really want a job and are tired of collecting unemployment.

Emotional Friend · #10 11-03-2009, 08:58 AM

The unions want to destroy Ford. They own GM remember.

NOTAGUNNUT · #11 11-03-2009, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by faith

It is times like this that one actually would like to see Ford relocate to a right to work State that does not mandate joining unions. Then hire all those people out there who really want a job and are tired of collecting unemployment.

Do not put it past them. they made enough money in the last quarter to finance a plant relocation. They could also expand production in another facility, and slow it down in Dearborn. This move totally backs up every criticism I've ever had about the UAW. The employees refuse to promise not to walk off the job. That's a promise that most of us don't have to make because we have a totally different work ethic.

dogfish · #12 11-03-2009, 08:12 PM

Build Fords in the South...yee-haw

BIRDFANINGA · #13 11-03-2009, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dogfish

Build Fords in the South...yee-haw

Like the Taurus plant that was closed two years ago in ATL?

Evil Yoda · #14 11-03-2009, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NOTAGUNNUT

The employees refuse to promise not to walk off the job. That's a promise that most of us don't have to make because we have a totally different work ethic.

If you've ever changed jobs for more money or better benefits, or even work you liked more, you have the same work ethic. Large companies like Ford treat labor the same way they treat steel and copper and glass - as a feedstock. That makes sense from their perspective, but it makes equal sense for employees to band together to increase their ability to bargain up the price of their labor. Just as you or I do when we change jobs.

I once left a job on which I was fairly important (that happened more or less by accident) right in the middle because another operation offered me a better package. I offered my then current employer a chance to match it, but he wasn't interested - I think because he didn't believe I'd leave, since by then I had been there awhile. But I did leave, and it slipped his schedule. Maybe fifty years ago, when companies cared more about their employees and were somewhat loyal to them your attitude would make sense. Modern companies show no loyalty and are therefore owed no loyalty in return.

NOTAGUNNUT · #15 11-03-2009, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evil Yoda

If you've ever changed jobs for more money or better benefits, or even work you liked more, you have the same work ethic. Large companies like Ford treat labor the same way they treat steel and copper and glass - as a feedstock. That makes sense from their perspective, but it makes equal sense for employees to band together to increase their ability to bargain up the price of their labor. Just as you or I do when we change jobs.

I once left a job on which I was fairly important (that happened more or less by accident) right in the middle because another operation offered me a better package. I offered my then current employer a chance to match it, but he wasn't interested - I think because he didn't believe I'd leave, since by then I had been there awhile. But I did leave, and it slipped his schedule. Maybe fifty years ago, when companies cared more about their employees and were somewhat loyal to them your attitude would make sense. Modern companies show no loyalty and are therefore owed no loyalty in return.

I agree... to a point. When my previous employer was forced to let me go my supervisor put out an effort, and was successful in finding me work. He didn't do it for everyone, so loyalty apparently meant something there.

Evil Yoda · #16 11-04-2009, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NOTAGUNNUT

I agree... to a point. When my previous employer was forced to let me go my supervisor put out an effort, and was successful in finding me work. He didn't do it for everyone, so loyalty apparently meant something there.

But was that your supervisor, or your previous employer demonstrating loyalty? That's a question you need to ask yourself to test the true relevance of your assertion here, I believe.

You also worked for a smaller company than I worked for (I can all but guarantee it, since I worked for one of the defense giants at that time). In my experience, if one finds the right smaller business one can expect better treatment than at almost any large business. Large businesses do vary - by most accounts Wegman's is pretty good to work for, Wal-Mart is pretty bad. But in general the insulation of middle management between the "worker bees" and those who make the decisions fosters a certain detachment that can in turn lead to fairly cold-hearted personnel moves.

BS21213 · #17 11-04-2009, 03:06 PM

I don't know how y'all can buy american cars.

I love the ford commercial where "Mike" is telling us this new ford car is, guess what "fuel efficient!" Then he says "it is kind of a big thing".

Um it was big maybe 30 years ago when japanese companies started making fuel effiecient cars! Not so big anymore. (Unless you're FORD!!)

The arrogance of american corporations disgusts me.

BS21213 · #18 11-04-2009, 03:08 PM

I don't blame them for voting it down though. Hard to take pay cuts voluntarily (or otherwise) when the execs at your company are making millions.

NOTAGUNNUT · #19 11-04-2009, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evil Yoda

But was that your supervisor, or your previous employer demonstrating loyalty? That's a question you need to ask yourself to test the true relevance of your assertion here, I believe.

You also worked for a smaller company than I worked for (I can all but guarantee it, since I worked for one of the defense giants at that time). In my experience, if one finds the right smaller business one can expect better treatment than at almost any large business. Large businesses do vary - by most accounts Wegman's is pretty good to work for, Wal-Mart is pretty bad. But in general the insulation of middle management between the "worker bees" and those who make the decisions fosters a certain detachment that can in turn lead to fairly cold-hearted personnel moves.

I agree. I saw that person at least a few times a week.

NOTAGUNNUT · #20 11-04-2009, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BS21213

I don't blame them for voting it down though. Hard to take pay cuts voluntarily (or otherwise) when the execs at your company are making millions.

If they get laid off, or their jobs go overseas the execs will still be making millions.

This isn't about the execs.