Ford bans competitors' vehicles from lot - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

theshark8777 · 01-27-2006, 05:12 PM

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) - Employees at Ford's Dearborn Truck Plant in Dearborn, Mich., will have to drive Ford Motor Co. vehicles to work or park across the street, the plant manager announced earlier this week.

The new parking policy, which is scheduled to take effect Feb. 1, was instituted by plant manager Rob Webber just as Ford reported losses of $1.6 billion from its North American auto operations in 2005 and Monday announced plans to close 14 plants and cut 30,000 jobs as it tries to reverse losses and respond to declining U.S. market share.

The Dearborn Truck Plant, which represents one portion of the Rouge facility, has 2,600 union employees and makes the F-150 pickup truck, the best selling vehicle in the United States.

A Ford spokesman told CNNMoney the company supported the move, although it had not been extended to the other North American manufacturing facilities.

Officials with UAW Local 600, who backed the announcement, are scheduled to conduct talks with management next week to finalize the details and discuss expanding the ban across the entire Rouge facility, union president Jerry Sullivan told CNNMoney.

"There has to be something put in place to grab people's attention and to make a statement that this is a serious thing," said Sullivan, whose union represents approximately 8,000 workers at the larger Rouge complex. "It's up to us to stand up and do what is right and to drive a vehicle from the company you work for."

The Dearborn Truck Plant parking policy will allow vehicles made by non-U.S. Ford brands such as Mazda, Volvo and Land Rover, Sullivan said.

The Detroit News, which first reported the story Friday, said the new parking policy in Dearborn was embraced by factory employees at a meeting to discuss the auto manufacturer's latest restructuring plan.

But one plant employee, who did not want to be quoted, told the paper he wasn't happy he would no longer be able to drive his Chrysler to the factory.

"They can't tell you how to spend your money," said one veteran tradesman. "It's still a free country." He said he got a better deal on his Chrysler than he could on a Ford.

"I got to go where I can get the most bang for my buck," he said.

Another Dearborn Truck employee told the newspaper he approved the move, though.

"You buy what you build," said Rufus McWilliams. "That only makes sense."

The Detroit Truck Plant opened in 2004 as part of the $2 billion renovation of the company's 1,100-acre Rouge facility, the paper reported.

MsOrange · 01-27-2006, 05:14 PM

we were talking about this at work... we agreed that everyone needs to go to a used car lot and buy the ****ties ford they could find and park it in their parking lots

theshark8777 · 01-27-2006, 05:18 PM

I think these people should buy Fords. I mean they build them, it only makes sense to support what you make. Maybe then they won't have to worry so much about losing their jobs.

MsOrange · 01-27-2006, 05:44 PM

I disagree. A company cannot TELL you how you are going to spend your money. It is their choice on what they drive. If you work at a grocery store, are you expected to buy your groceries no where else? Should KMart customers be banned from going to Walmart? McDonalds? Burger King employees.

Plus, some shop floor employees might not make enough to run out and buy a ford because "the boss said so"... Unless Ford is going to supply these employees w/ a Ford, the rule, in my opioion, is bogus.

01-27-2006, 05:12 PM	#1
theshark8777 Hats for Bats Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 23, 2001 Location: northeast Ohio. Posts: 5,315	Ford bans competitors' vehicles from lot NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) - Employees at Ford's Dearborn Truck Plant in Dearborn, Mich., will have to drive Ford Motor Co. vehicles to work or park across the street, the plant manager announced earlier this week. The new parking policy, which is scheduled to take effect Feb. 1, was instituted by plant manager Rob Webber just as Ford reported losses of $1.6 billion from its North American auto operations in 2005 and Monday announced plans to close 14 plants and cut 30,000 jobs as it tries to reverse losses and respond to declining U.S. market share. The Dearborn Truck Plant, which represents one portion of the Rouge facility, has 2,600 union employees and makes the F-150 pickup truck, the best selling vehicle in the United States. A Ford spokesman told CNNMoney the company supported the move, although it had not been extended to the other North American manufacturing facilities. Officials with UAW Local 600, who backed the announcement, are scheduled to conduct talks with management next week to finalize the details and discuss expanding the ban across the entire Rouge facility, union president Jerry Sullivan told CNNMoney. "There has to be something put in place to grab people's attention and to make a statement that this is a serious thing," said Sullivan, whose union represents approximately 8,000 workers at the larger Rouge complex. "It's up to us to stand up and do what is right and to drive a vehicle from the company you work for." The Dearborn Truck Plant parking policy will allow vehicles made by non-U.S. Ford brands such as Mazda, Volvo and Land Rover, Sullivan said. The Detroit News, which first reported the story Friday, said the new parking policy in Dearborn was embraced by factory employees at a meeting to discuss the auto manufacturer's latest restructuring plan. But one plant employee, who did not want to be quoted, told the paper he wasn't happy he would no longer be able to drive his Chrysler to the factory. "They can't tell you how to spend your money," said one veteran tradesman. "It's still a free country." He said he got a better deal on his Chrysler than he could on a Ford. "I got to go where I can get the most bang for my buck," he said. Another Dearborn Truck employee told the newspaper he approved the move, though. "You buy what you build," said Rufus McWilliams. "That only makes sense." The Detroit Truck Plant opened in 2004 as part of the $2 billion renovation of the company's 1,100-acre Rouge facility, the paper reported.
	__________________ Who ate all the pecan Sandies??

01-27-2006, 05:14 PM	#2
MsOrange Bringin' Sexy Back Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 27, 2004 Posts: 6,133	we were talking about this at work... we agreed that everyone needs to go to a used car lot and buy the ****ties ford they could find and park it in their parking lots

01-27-2006, 05:18 PM	#3
theshark8777 Hats for Bats Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 23, 2001 Location: northeast Ohio. Posts: 5,315	I think these people should buy Fords. I mean they build them, it only makes sense to support what you make. Maybe then they won't have to worry so much about losing their jobs.

01-27-2006, 05:44 PM	#4
MsOrange Bringin' Sexy Back Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 27, 2004 Posts: 6,133	I disagree. A company cannot TELL you how you are going to spend your money. It is their choice on what they drive. If you work at a grocery store, are you expected to buy your groceries no where else? Should KMart customers be banned from going to Walmart? McDonalds? Burger King employees. Plus, some shop floor employees might not make enough to run out and buy a ford because "the boss said so"... Unless Ford is going to supply these employees w/ a Ford, the rule, in my opioion, is bogus.