Ford staff prepare to strike over pay and pensions (From Daily Echo)

Here we go again. Have these muppets not heard about the global economic crisis, austerity measures etc? They are playing into Fords hands to move all the work elsewhere. Then what will they do?

What's wrong with a two tier work force? A jobs a job and if I'm taking one its on the basis of the offer, not what ever Nyone else gets or got.
Be real.

Having recently gained new employment, I am grateful that in the current climate I have a job. Ford staff have had a cracking pay package for years. They need to stop throwing their toys out of the pram and understand the reality of the economy at the moment. Gone are the good ole days of staff being indispensible. There are plenty of oversees staff who would happily take over their jobs

Hey Hulla and some others have any of you ever worked in the Fords industry. NO so bell down a little Its the Staff going out not the workers so things will run normal to better in my past experience there they are about as powerfull as a wet tissue as soon as the company says to them no bonuses they will run back with there tail firmly between there legs then hope the Real Workforce takes up the baton for them this issue was discussed serveral years ago so its not NEW.

Must be time to pay the annual subs again so good time for a strike to prove that your payment is 'achieving' something and not simply lining the pockets of the Union.

Hahaha, I bet the managers wished they closed that darn place down when they had the chance :))

It's always the same bunch of people who are going on strike & harking on about boo hoo, I want more money & wotnot.....get with the real world Ford workers......times are hard right now & we all gotta put up with this stuff....not just you :P

bobbyboy wrote:
Hey Hulla and some others have any of you ever worked in the Fords industry. NO so bell down a little Its the Staff going out not the workers so things will run normal to better in my past experience there they are about as powerfull as a wet tissue as soon as the company says to them no bonuses they will run back with there tail firmly between there legs then hope the Real Workforce takes up the baton for them this issue was discussed serveral years ago so its not NEW.

bobbyboy don't you think this office work could be easily outsourced & these people could end up with nothing?

I worked at weekends for an agency in that place.
It was disgusting - the permanent workers are a bunch of work-shy scammers, who do not know what self-respect and pride means.

"...plans to close the final salary pension scheme to new starters and lower their rates of pay."
Exactly what companies should be doing to help more people back to work. The important words are "new starters".

bobbyboy wrote:
Hey Hulla and some others have any of you ever worked in the Fords industry. NO so bell down a little Its the Staff going out not the workers so things will run normal to better in my past experience there they are about as powerfull as a wet tissue as soon as the company says to them no bonuses they will run back with there tail firmly between there legs then hope the Real Workforce takes up the baton for them this issue was discussed serveral years ago so its not NEW.

Does not matter who is going out on strike, my comment and views remain the same. Just seems that we hear more about Fords than any other company.

Unite do seem to be out of touch with reality at the moment, a dinosaur Union who always use the posturing to make a point, however we all are aware of the problems with Pensions these days and the Chancellors remark that the Retired population are becoming a "Burden on Society" speaks volumes on the attitude. These white collar workers are probably all Tory voters and a 24 hour strike won't have a great affect on production unless they set up a Picket Line which the Production workers don't cross, but I am not sure if that is legal these days!

Huffter wrote:
"...plans to close the final salary pension scheme to new starters and lower their rates of pay."
Exactly what companies should be doing to help more people back to work. The important words are "new starters".

Exactly! So why on earth are the existing workers moaning? Because they are scared that they will be next. Therefore, striking for something that does not yet, and may never affect them. I have taken my new employment on a fixed term contract as that is what the company are offering new starters at this stage. I hope and pray that I will have my contract renewed. This is how companies protect themselves in this current climate. At least I know that for x amount of months I have an income. Ford are not doing anything that other companies are not doing so get over it Ford employees and be grateful that you are in a job that is as secure as it can be at this time.

J.P.M wrote:
I worked at weekends for an agency in that place. It was disgusting - the permanent workers are a bunch of work-shy scammers, who do not know what self-respect and pride means.

as production is only monday to friday the only work shy scammers you saw were weekend agency workers so take a bow

loosehead wrote:

bobbyboy wrote:
Hey Hulla and some others have any of you ever worked in the Fords industry. NO so bell down a little Its the Staff going out not the workers so things will run normal to better in my past experience there they are about as powerfull as a wet tissue as soon as the company says to them no bonuses they will run back with there tail firmly between there legs then hope the Real Workforce takes up the baton for them this issue was discussed serveral years ago so its not NEW.

bobbyboy don't you think this office work could be easily outsourced & these people could end up with nothing?

I guess you would like that to happen? Outsourced to where exactly, overseas with a consequent loss of British Jobs, or to Contract employees, who will cost the Company more but themselves will be on poorer Pay and Conditions with someone else creaming off the profits?

All you people on here deriding Ford workers. When is the last time any Ford worker (management or production worker ) actually went on strike ?. It just dosen't happen. All they do , like a lot of other workers, is THREATEN industrial action to hopefully improve any offer.

Ford workers already have one of the best pension plans around, even with these changes (for new workers only) it will be a very good scheme. Staff workers have very good salaries so stop moaning!

I have full sympathy with members of UNITE at Ford or any other work place. So naturally wish these workers all the luck
.
Hope the union will back them all the way and full time paid officers won't do their usual thing i.e. march the troops up steep hill only to stand down just because their buddies in Milliband led right wing self serving opportunist lot may not find supporting the cause of workers to be against their taste or addiction of kissing the backside of bosses and extremely well paid bureaucrats of Brussels
.
Fans of super rich, Tories along with supporters of right wingers and believers in myths preached by pro establishment press, (which is dominated by likes of Murdoch who controlled likes of Blair, Brown and Cameron) will naturally be attacking these workers and talk about state of economy
.
But they will very conveniently ignore the facts that it is not the workers but the bosses and their political puppets who are responsible for that mess
.
The same group often justifies not only ever increasing profits wages bounces and other perks for the real culprits but will keep on demanding sacrifices from victims of their greed, the workers
.
These Ford workers and others should not let them to be emotionally blackmailed by anti workers political class, media and their hypocritical fans. Because these right wingers will always use every trick to undermine ordinary hard working people, while serving the interests of their heros, super rich parasites
.
If people on top of unions were honest to the cause of trade unionism they should be learning from Greeks and saying their members did not create the crisis and they WILL NOT PAY THE PRICE.

Ford should sack every striker to protect the jobs of those that want to work i.e. the real workers,final salary pension schemes are finished not just for Ford but everybody as they are no longer affordable. As for pay rates that is merely a reflection of the current employment situation, why should they offer more than they have too when they can take their pick of suitable candidates . It would be very sad but one of these days Ford are just going to say they have had enough and leave the U.K lock stock & barrel.

Ford should sack every striker to protect the jobs of those that want to work i.e. the real workers,final salary pension schemes are finished not just for Ford but everybody as they are no longer affordable. As for pay rates that is merely a reflection of the current employment situation, why should they offer more than they have too when they can take their pick of suitable candidates . It would be very sad but one of these days Ford are just going to say they have had enough and leave the U.K lock stock & barrel.

ohec wrote:
Ford should sack every striker to protect the jobs of those that want to work i.e. the real workers,final salary pension schemes are finished not just for Ford but everybody as they are no longer affordable. As for pay rates that is merely a reflection of the current employment situation, why should they offer more than they have too when they can take their pick of suitable candidates . It would be very sad but one of these days Ford are just going to say they have had enough and leave the U.K lock stock & barrel.

Is this a wind-up or do really believe what you are preaching? Who do you work for as a matter of interest?

Paramjit Bahia says
I did not want to repeat the garbage but its above if you haven't already read it.
Just where do these idealistic maniacs get their ideas from, unions are finished they all but destroyed this country but now people have more sense, all people want is the chance to earn a living to support themselves and their families anybody with an ounce of common sense is more than aware of the current economic and employment situation.
The unions are just trying to use their members for their own political agendas and with millions of unemployed who do you think will win, if people are daft enough to strike they don't deserve a job.

THEKILLER wrote:
Ford workers already have one of the best pension plans around, even with these changes (for new workers only) it will be a very good scheme. Staff workers have very good salaries so stop moaning!

If that is the case, why has this issue cropped up, what is it, that has tipped the balance, surely it is not just mischief making by the Union? I fail to see that it is the salary that is in dispute, it has to be the moving of the goalposts over Pensions. For years, Companies and employees have made arrangements to enable an employee to retire with at least something to fall back on, using his own money. It seems that the employers are no longer bothered about what happens to their employees after they have left, leaving them to make their own arrangements for a reasonable Pension. Is it to be the 21st Century ethic that despite many years of loyal employment, it is of no matter what happens afterwards, hardly good grounds for a satisfied and loyal work force, but good grounds for the employee to say you don't care about me, why should I care about the Company.

ohec wrote:
Ford should sack every striker to protect the jobs of those that want to work i.e. the real workers,final salary pension schemes are finished not just for Ford but everybody as they are no longer affordable. As for pay rates that is merely a reflection of the current employment situation, why should they offer more than they have too when they can take their pick of suitable candidates . It would be very sad but one of these days Ford are just going to say they have had enough and leave the U.K lock stock & barrel.

Why do you think that Ford moved Transit Production abroad, was it because our workers were not good enough value for money, or was it for the availability of cheap labour with no regard for quality? Nissan have thought otherwise.

ohec wrote:
Paramjit Bahia says
I did not want to repeat the garbage but its above if you haven't already read it.
Just where do these idealistic maniacs get their ideas from, unions are finished they all but destroyed this country but now people have more sense, all people want is the chance to earn a living to support themselves and their families anybody with an ounce of common sense is more than aware of the current economic and employment situation.
The unions are just trying to use their members for their own political agendas and with millions of unemployed who do you think will win, if people are daft enough to strike they don't deserve a job.

Just one point ........... The unions are far from dead.
.
As reported in two notable Tory papers in the week the Union membership is growing more and more ........ with the main one Unite showing substantial increases.
.
You may be happy to sit back and be dictated to ........ Many to their credit are not.
.

OSPREYSAINT wrote:

ohec wrote:
Ford should sack every striker to protect the jobs of those that want to work i.e. the real workers,final salary pension schemes are finished not just for Ford but everybody as they are no longer affordable. As for pay rates that is merely a reflection of the current employment situation, why should they offer more than they have too when they can take their pick of suitable candidates . It would be very sad but one of these days Ford are just going to say they have had enough and leave the U.K lock stock & barrel.

Why do you think that Ford moved Transit Production abroad, was it because our workers were not good enough value for money, or was it for the availability of cheap labour with no regard for quality? Nissan have thought otherwise.

Ford moved the Transit to Turkey into a brand new modern factory. and the quality is good ( there were a few problems early on). The workers are well paid( cheaper than British workers I will admit) . Nissan is a success story for Britain because the workforce are very efficient and for the most part relationship between workers and management good, that is why Nissan will invest in the plant leading to more jobs

Bye bye Fords. Still look on the bright side, EBC will be able to fit plenty of flats on the site. Only problem is that they will all be taken by the unemployed that used to have jobs with Ford.

OSPREYSAINT wrote:

ohec wrote:
Ford should sack every striker to protect the jobs of those that want to work i.e. the real workers,final salary pension schemes are finished not just for Ford but everybody as they are no longer affordable. As for pay rates that is merely a reflection of the current employment situation, why should they offer more than they have too when they can take their pick of suitable candidates . It would be very sad but one of these days Ford are just going to say they have had enough and leave the U.K lock stock & barrel.

Why do you think that Ford moved Transit Production abroad, was it because our workers were not good enough value for money, or was it for the availability of cheap labour with no regard for quality? Nissan have thought otherwise.

Unions Unions Unions
that is what killed of the motor industry in this country and only now are we seeing some recovery i have had connections with Ford for many years and sadly witnessed the demise of Dagenham but i don't blame Ford it was the unions who thought they had Ford over a barrel, as for your comment about about quality have you any evidence that the Turkish product is in any way inferior ???. Nissan and Toyota have had the advantage of moving to areas where unemployment has been very high for many years so the workers know the value of regular employment, ask the Vauxhall workers at Ellesmere Port who have just saved their jobs by a whisker or the Jaguar Rover workers who came very close to losing their jobs a little while back. Ford need to nip this in the bud and sacking a load of pen pushers is a good way to assert themselves or its Turkey here we come.

Well after reading all the remarks from people on here, i have to reply.Please do not comment about Ford employees/ Fords that you have know experiance about. Soon as Fords are in the press out you all come without any real knowledge of the firm.

lordflood wrote:
Well after reading all the remarks from people on here, i have to reply.Please do not comment about Ford employees/ Fords that you have know experiance about. Soon as Fords are in the press out you all come without any real knowledge of the firm.

"Know experiance" ???

Please don't go down the strike route, it doesn't work! All that will happen is changes will be made and fellow workers will be laid off.

Striking doesn't achieve anything these days, it's old news.

Good luck though to everyone at Ford! x

IronLady2010 wrote:
Please don't go down the strike route, it doesn't work! All that will happen is changes will be made and fellow workers will be laid off.

Striking doesn't achieve anything these days, it's old news.

Good luck though to everyone at Ford! x

Have to say I agree, it could be closing the pension scheme to existing employees. Obviously in times of prosperity things like this should be preserved naturally but it isn't... I agree with IronLady good luck guys but don't think it's going to change anything :(

ohec wrote:

OSPREYSAINT wrote:

ohec wrote:
Ford should sack every striker to protect the jobs of those that want to work i.e. the real workers,final salary pension schemes are finished not just for Ford but everybody as they are no longer affordable. As for pay rates that is merely a reflection of the current employment situation, why should they offer more than they have too when they can take their pick of suitable candidates . It would be very sad but one of these days Ford are just going to say they have had enough and leave the U.K lock stock & barrel.

Why do you think that Ford moved Transit Production abroad, was it because our workers were not good enough value for money, or was it for the availability of cheap labour with no regard for quality? Nissan have thought otherwise.

Unions Unions Unions
that is what killed of the motor industry in this country and only now are we seeing some recovery i have had connections with Ford for many years and sadly witnessed the demise of Dagenham but i don't blame Ford it was the unions who thought they had Ford over a barrel, as for your comment about about quality have you any evidence that the Turkish product is in any way inferior ???. Nissan and Toyota have had the advantage of moving to areas where unemployment has been very high for many years so the workers know the value of regular employment, ask the Vauxhall workers at Ellesmere Port who have just saved their jobs by a whisker or the Jaguar Rover workers who came very close to losing their jobs a little while back. Ford need to nip this in the bud and sacking a load of pen pushers is a good way to assert themselves or its Turkey here we come.

Not mismanagment and lack of investment then, it was solely the Unions and the workers fault, I've been misled all of this time.

OSPREYSAINT wrote:

loosehead wrote:

bobbyboy wrote:
Hey Hulla and some others have any of you ever worked in the Fords industry. NO so bell down a little Its the Staff going out not the workers so things will run normal to better in my past experience there they are about as powerfull as a wet tissue as soon as the company says to them no bonuses they will run back with there tail firmly between there legs then hope the Real Workforce takes up the baton for them this issue was discussed serveral years ago so its not NEW.

bobbyboy don't you think this office work could be easily outsourced & these people could end up with nothing?

I guess you would like that to happen? Outsourced to where exactly, overseas with a consequent loss of British Jobs, or to Contract employees, who will cost the Company more but themselves will be on poorer Pay and Conditions with someone else creaming off the profits?

Where did I say I'd like it to happen?
I was asking the question of someone who I thought worked there.
These people have jobs & have pensions & pay schemes set up!
My old company employed new people on different contracts than their existing staff & the Union saw nothing wrong with it.
No matter what company or council Unite seems to be shouting STRIKE.
I hope these workers see their jobs are safe & work or could this be the straw that broke the camels back?
I know people who work at fords ( shop floor) they've been under threat by the Turkish factory for some time so is striking going to guarantee their pay & conditions for them & new employees or will Southampton staff be looking for new jobs?
I started thinking better of you until this post

OSPREYSAINT wrote:

ohec wrote:

OSPREYSAINT wrote:

ohec wrote:
Ford should sack every striker to protect the jobs of those that want to work i.e. the real workers,final salary pension schemes are finished not just for Ford but everybody as they are no longer affordable. As for pay rates that is merely a reflection of the current employment situation, why should they offer more than they have too when they can take their pick of suitable candidates . It would be very sad but one of these days Ford are just going to say they have had enough and leave the U.K lock stock & barrel.

Why do you think that Ford moved Transit Production abroad, was it because our workers were not good enough value for money, or was it for the availability of cheap labour with no regard for quality? Nissan have thought otherwise.

Unions Unions Unions
that is what killed of the motor industry in this country and only now are we seeing some recovery i have had connections with Ford for many years and sadly witnessed the demise of Dagenham but i don't blame Ford it was the unions who thought they had Ford over a barrel, as for your comment about about quality have you any evidence that the Turkish product is in any way inferior ???. Nissan and Toyota have had the advantage of moving to areas where unemployment has been very high for many years so the workers know the value of regular employment, ask the Vauxhall workers at Ellesmere Port who have just saved their jobs by a whisker or the Jaguar Rover workers who came very close to losing their jobs a little while back. Ford need to nip this in the bud and sacking a load of pen pushers is a good way to assert themselves or its Turkey here we come.

Not mismanagment and lack of investment then, it was solely the Unions and the workers fault, I've been misled all of this time.

Why should a company invest money when they have an ongoing struggle with militant unions and a belligerent workforce? These days a company relocate to any part of the globe and find a welcome from the national government and the local workforce. It's like Nissan & Toyota going to Tyneside, but reversed.

bobbyboy wrote:
Hey Hulla and some others have any of you ever worked in the Fords industry. NO so bell down a little Its the Staff going out not the workers so things will run normal to better in my past experience there they are about as powerfull as a wet tissue as soon as the company says to them no bonuses they will run back with there tail firmly between there legs then hope the Real Workforce takes up the baton for them this issue was discussed serveral years ago so its not NEW.

I know so. Supervision go on strike, production goes up

Torchie1 wrote:

OSPREYSAINT wrote:

ohec wrote:

OSPREYSAINT wrote:

ohec wrote: Ford should sack every striker to protect the jobs of those that want to work i.e. the real workers,final salary pension schemes are finished not just for Ford but everybody as they are no longer affordable. As for pay rates that is merely a reflection of the current employment situation, why should they offer more than they have too when they can take their pick of suitable candidates . It would be very sad but one of these days Ford are just going to say they have had enough and leave the U.K lock stock & barrel.

Why do you think that Ford moved Transit Production abroad, was it because our workers were not good enough value for money, or was it for the availability of cheap labour with no regard for quality? Nissan have thought otherwise.

Unions Unions Unions that is what killed of the motor industry in this country and only now are we seeing some recovery i have had connections with Ford for many years and sadly witnessed the demise of Dagenham but i don't blame Ford it was the unions who thought they had Ford over a barrel, as for your comment about about quality have you any evidence that the Turkish product is in any way inferior ???. Nissan and Toyota have had the advantage of moving to areas where unemployment has been very high for many years so the workers know the value of regular employment, ask the Vauxhall workers at Ellesmere Port who have just saved their jobs by a whisker or the Jaguar Rover workers who came very close to losing their jobs a little while back. Ford need to nip this in the bud and sacking a load of pen pushers is a good way to assert themselves or its Turkey here we come.

Not mismanagment and lack of investment then, it was solely the Unions and the workers fault, I've been misled all of this time.

Why should a company invest money when they have an ongoing struggle with militant unions and a belligerent workforce? These days a company relocate to any part of the globe and find a welcome from the national government and the local workforce. It's like Nissan & Toyota going to Tyneside, but reversed.

If a Company invested and sensibly negotiated in it's workforce, there wouldn't need to be involved in Industrial disputes, it is only when they start moving the goal posts and undermining the Conditions of service in a misguided attempt save a few pence that the problems arise. LH it was you that suggested it would be easy to outsource the work was it not? That suggestion is not so easy as you think it is, as a number of Companies have found to their disadvantage.

THEKILLER wrote:

OSPREYSAINT wrote:

ohec wrote: Ford should sack every striker to protect the jobs of those that want to work i.e. the real workers,final salary pension schemes are finished not just for Ford but everybody as they are no longer affordable. As for pay rates that is merely a reflection of the current employment situation, why should they offer more than they have too when they can take their pick of suitable candidates . It would be very sad but one of these days Ford are just going to say they have had enough and leave the U.K lock stock & barrel.

Why do you think that Ford moved Transit Production abroad, was it because our workers were not good enough value for money, or was it for the availability of cheap labour with no regard for quality? Nissan have thought otherwise.

Ford moved the Transit to Turkey into a brand new modern factory. and the quality is good ( there were a few problems early on). The workers are well paid( cheaper than British workers I will admit) . Nissan is a success story for Britain because the workforce are very efficient and for the most part relationship between workers and management good, that is why Nissan will invest in the plant leading to more jobs

Don't you think that if Ford had taken the same route as Nissan there would have been no need to have relocated production overseas?

OSPREYSAINT wrote:

THEKILLER wrote:

OSPREYSAINT wrote:

ohec wrote: Ford should sack every striker to protect the jobs of those that want to work i.e. the real workers,final salary pension schemes are finished not just for Ford but everybody as they are no longer affordable. As for pay rates that is merely a reflection of the current employment situation, why should they offer more than they have too when they can take their pick of suitable candidates . It would be very sad but one of these days Ford are just going to say they have had enough and leave the U.K lock stock & barrel.

Why do you think that Ford moved Transit Production abroad, was it because our workers were not good enough value for money, or was it for the availability of cheap labour with no regard for quality? Nissan have thought otherwise.

Ford moved the Transit to Turkey into a brand new modern factory. and the quality is good ( there were a few problems early on). The workers are well paid( cheaper than British workers I will admit) . Nissan is a success story for Britain because the workforce are very efficient and for the most part relationship between workers and management good, that is why Nissan will invest in the plant leading to more jobs

Don't you think that if Ford had taken the same route as Nissan there would have been no need to have relocated production overseas?

Ford tried to negotiate with the unions but could not get agreement on working practices and it would have been too expensive to produce vans in the UK. This went on for a number of years, if the unions had been more flexible the plant could have continued to operate a two shift system ( even go up to a three shift)

THEKILLER wrote:

OSPREYSAINT wrote:

ohec wrote:
Ford should sack every striker to protect the jobs of those that want to work i.e. the real workers,final salary pension schemes are finished not just for Ford but everybody as they are no longer affordable. As for pay rates that is merely a reflection of the current employment situation, why should they offer more than they have too when they can take their pick of suitable candidates . It would be very sad but one of these days Ford are just going to say they have had enough and leave the U.K lock stock & barrel.

Why do you think that Ford moved Transit Production abroad, was it because our workers were not good enough value for money, or was it for the availability of cheap labour with no regard for quality? Nissan have thought otherwise.

Ford moved the Transit to Turkey into a brand new modern factory. and the quality is good ( there were a few problems early on). The workers are well paid( cheaper than British workers I will admit) . Nissan is a success story for Britain because the workforce are very efficient and for the most part relationship between workers and management good, that is why Nissan will invest in the plant leading to more jobs

You need to keep up todate with things, Turkey work force have out on strike 2 times all ready, for increase in pay and reduction in working hours.

As for Nissan being a success is down the bosses being more workable with the Union and sitting down to talks with the Union once a mth.

OSPREYSAINT wrote:

THEKILLER wrote:

OSPREYSAINT wrote:

ohec wrote: Ford should sack every striker to protect the jobs of those that want to work i.e. the real workers,final salary pension schemes are finished not just for Ford but everybody as they are no longer affordable. As for pay rates that is merely a reflection of the current employment situation, why should they offer more than they have too when they can take their pick of suitable candidates . It would be very sad but one of these days Ford are just going to say they have had enough and leave the U.K lock stock & barrel.

Why do you think that Ford moved Transit Production abroad, was it because our workers were not good enough value for money, or was it for the availability of cheap labour with no regard for quality? Nissan have thought otherwise.

Ford moved the Transit to Turkey into a brand new modern factory. and the quality is good ( there were a few problems early on). The workers are well paid( cheaper than British workers I will admit) . Nissan is a success story for Britain because the workforce are very efficient and for the most part relationship between workers and management good, that is why Nissan will invest in the plant leading to more jobs

Don't you think that if Ford had taken the same route as Nissan there would have been no need to have relocated production overseas?

Ford need their workforce in the UK only as long as it's viable to keep the operation going. These are hard times for all companies and cuts have to be made, which is better than mass unemployment.

THEKILLER wrote:

OSPREYSAINT wrote:

THEKILLER wrote:

OSPREYSAINT wrote:

ohec wrote: Ford should sack every striker to protect the jobs of those that want to work i.e. the real workers,final salary pension schemes are finished not just for Ford but everybody as they are no longer affordable. As for pay rates that is merely a reflection of the current employment situation, why should they offer more than they have too when they can take their pick of suitable candidates . It would be very sad but one of these days Ford are just going to say they have had enough and leave the U.K lock stock & barrel.

Why do you think that Ford moved Transit Production abroad, was it because our workers were not good enough value for money, or was it for the availability of cheap labour with no regard for quality? Nissan have thought otherwise.

Ford moved the Transit to Turkey into a brand new modern factory. and the quality is good ( there were a few problems early on). The workers are well paid( cheaper than British workers I will admit) . Nissan is a success story for Britain because the workforce are very efficient and for the most part relationship between workers and management good, that is why Nissan will invest in the plant leading to more jobs

Don't you think that if Ford had taken the same route as Nissan there would have been no need to have relocated production overseas?

Ford tried to negotiate with the unions but could not get agreement on working practices and it would have been too expensive to produce vans in the UK. This went on for a number of years, if the unions had been more flexible the plant could have continued to operate a two shift system ( even go up to a three shift)

That says more about poor management than a stubborn work force, compromise is always available if you work at it.

grahamflew wrote:

bobbyboy wrote:
Hey Hulla and some others have any of you ever worked in the Fords industry. NO so bell down a little Its the Staff going out not the workers so things will run normal to better in my past experience there they are about as powerfull as a wet tissue as soon as the company says to them no bonuses they will run back with there tail firmly between there legs then hope the Real Workforce takes up the baton for them this issue was discussed serveral years ago so its not NEW.

I know so. Supervision go on strike, production goes up

It is only a single 24 hour strike that is proposed, you will probably not even notice that they are missing!

lordflood wrote:
Well after reading all the remarks from people on here, i have to reply.Please do not comment about Ford employees/ Fords that you have know experiance about. Soon as Fords are in the press out you all come without any real knowledge of the firm.

Well, you have no real knowledge of anyone here, so under your own conditions, you shouldn't be commenting on them.

Georgem wrote:

lordflood wrote:
Well after reading all the remarks from people on here, i have to reply.Please do not comment about Ford employees/ Fords that you have know experiance about. Soon as Fords are in the press out you all come without any real knowledge of the firm.

Well, you have no real knowledge of anyone here, so under your own conditions, you shouldn't be commenting on them.

If he has read the posts often enough, he will recognise a Tory self opinionated bully when he sees one.

OSPREYSAINT wrote:

THEKILLER wrote:

OSPREYSAINT wrote:

THEKILLER wrote:

OSPREYSAINT wrote:

ohec wrote: Ford should sack every striker to protect the jobs of those that want to work i.e. the real workers,final salary pension schemes are finished not just for Ford but everybody as they are no longer affordable. As for pay rates that is merely a reflection of the current employment situation, why should they offer more than they have too when they can take their pick of suitable candidates . It would be very sad but one of these days Ford are just going to say they have had enough and leave the U.K lock stock & barrel.

Why do you think that Ford moved Transit Production abroad, was it because our workers were not good enough value for money, or was it for the availability of cheap labour with no regard for quality? Nissan have thought otherwise.

Ford moved the Transit to Turkey into a brand new modern factory. and the quality is good ( there were a few problems early on). The workers are well paid( cheaper than British workers I will admit) . Nissan is a success story for Britain because the workforce are very efficient and for the most part relationship between workers and management good, that is why Nissan will invest in the plant leading to more jobs

Don't you think that if Ford had taken the same route as Nissan there would have been no need to have relocated production overseas?

Ford tried to negotiate with the unions but could not get agreement on working practices and it would have been too expensive to produce vans in the UK. This went on for a number of years, if the unions had been more flexible the plant could have continued to operate a two shift system ( even go up to a three shift)

That says more about poor management than a stubborn work force, compromise is always available if you work at it.

Oh! you mean like Unite did with Southampton City Council?
Unison ,Unite all agree only for Unite to swear they didn't?
Sounds a bit like Williams!
Did you think it was Tory bully boy tactics then? or can you see Unites agenda across the country?