20,000 march against Ford cuts (From Daily Echo)
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Thousands take to streets of Genk, Belgium, in protest against Ford cuts
3:00pm Sunday 11th November 2012 in News
By Matt Smith, Politics and business reporter
Protestors marching through Genk
THOUSANDS of protestors have taken to the streets in a mass demonstration against Ford cuts across Europe.
Up to 20,000 have protested in the Belgian city of Genk against the motor giant’s cost cutting plans.
They include shutting the Southampton transit factory next July with the loss of 500 jobs and shutting its huge plant in Genk which employs 4,300 workers.
Scores of buses transported Ford workers and demonstrators from the company's large factory site on the outskirts of Genk to the march through the city centre.
Workers from the threatened plant, their families, children and supporters marched in a noisy and colourful parade to show their anger at Ford bosses.
Flags and banners from the three unions representing workers were held high under a bright blue sky as they made their way along the two kilometre route to a huge rally.
A 13,000 capacity square at a cultural centre on the site of a former coal mine was packed out with a sea of demonstrators.
A big tv screen was set up outside for people that couldn't fit in.
Local music acts performed songs penned specifically for the Ford workers.
The nine-year old daughter of a Genk factory worker, Britt Thijs, was among those to address the huge crowd from the stage.
"I am not only concerned about the future of Ford employees but also about my future," she said.
"Will I still get the chance to study further? Will I still get a chance at a job? There are many questions in my mind, but what now?"
William de Witte, 64, from the ABVV socialist union said workers had come together to show solidarity.
"The people here feel very angry and betrayed by Ford," he said.
City mayor Wim Dries said Ford bosses had "taken away the pride" of workers and left them feeling angry, disappointed and uncertain of the future.
He said the march, backed by the council, was important to give residents a chance to show their feelings.
It was also to send a signal that the city and region will come together for a future without Ford, he added.
Ford’s Genk plant, like Southampton, was given assurances about its future before the motor giant made the bombshell announcement that both are to close to slash costs amid falling European car sales.
A group of workers from Southampton were hopeful of joining the demonstration.
Andy Cox, Unite’s deputy convener at the Southampton Transit plant in Swaythling, said: “We support our fellow colleagues abroad. We can understand what they are going through.”
He said a mass meeting of Southampton Ford workers was planned for the end of next week to decide what action to take. Strike action has not been ruled out.
About 170 protesters went on the rampage outside a Ford plant in Cologne, Germany on Wednesday during a meeting between management and Ford’s European Works Council, which includes representatives from Unite.
They blocked the entrance to offices, burned tyres and threw fireworks at police officers.
Six people were arrested and three police officers were injured. Coaches of demonstrators arrived from Genk.
Belgian unions have called the proposed Genk plant closure “treason” and a “betrayal of promises made to workers”
of new models and of their efforts to boost productivity to secure their jobs.
Ford now plans to move production of the new model Ford Mondeos, S-Max and Galaxy’s to Valencia Spain.
The council in Genk estimates up to 10,000 jobs, including direct and indirect suppliers in the region’s motor industry, will be affected by the plant closure.
The regional economy has already suffered from the GM closure of Opel’s plant in nearby Antwerp in 2010.
Ford unveiled its plans to close three factories, including Southampton, Dagenham and Genk, with the loss of 6,200 jobs to stem forecast losses of £1.8billion over the next two years.
And the company last week warned it may need to make more cutbacks – possibly dropping factory shifts or closing a plant.
Comments(38)
hulla baloo
says...
8:47am Sun 11 Nov 12
Redhat
says...
9:10am Sun 11 Nov 12
bazzeroz
says...
9:35am Sun 11 Nov 12
ohec
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9:50am Sun 11 Nov 12
It could be that there is some sort of deal with the Spanish seeing as their economy and unemployment are in such dire straights, with organisations like Ford you become nothing more than a number to be used and tossed aside when you are of no further use, to work on the assumption that they have hearts or compassion is a big mistake they only recognise dollar signs.
andysaints007
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9:51am Sun 11 Nov 12
Saintsincethe60s
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9:57am Sun 11 Nov 12
southampton999
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10:09am Sun 11 Nov 12
southy
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11:03am Sun 11 Nov 12
ohec wrote:I hear the brits have started to leave Spain, because of no work there they are going to find the same here.
A waste of time printing an article about another waste of time, all these demonstrations do is give the demonstrators a chance to blow of a bit of steam and make it look as if the union is doing something.
It could be that there is some sort of deal with the Spanish seeing as their economy and unemployment are in such dire straights, with organisations like Ford you become nothing more than a number to be used and tossed aside when you are of no further use, to work on the assumption that they have hearts or compassion is a big mistake they only recognise dollar signs.
One thing with Spain if going by what they done in the pass, they will make Fords pay for every thing.
G0Rf
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11:24am Sun 11 Nov 12
Torchie1
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2:54pm Sun 11 Nov 12
southy wrote:Expatriate British have been leaving Spain since 2008 when the financial crisis began to bite, but in the twenty years before that a lot of them enjoyed a wonderful lifestyle. Nothing lasts forever.
ohec wrote:I hear the brits have started to leave Spain, because of no work there they are going to find the same here.
A waste of time printing an article about another waste of time, all these demonstrations do is give the demonstrators a chance to blow of a bit of steam and make it look as if the union is doing something.
It could be that there is some sort of deal with the Spanish seeing as their economy and unemployment are in such dire straights, with organisations like Ford you become nothing more than a number to be used and tossed aside when you are of no further use, to work on the assumption that they have hearts or compassion is a big mistake they only recognise dollar signs.
One thing with Spain if going by what they done in the pass, they will make Fords pay for every thing.
Pheeny
says...
3:04pm Sun 11 Nov 12
I'm one of the Ford workers from Genk and can I just wish all my fellow colleagues in Southampton the best for the future and I hope you can get a good settlement.As for the ones commenting with a "yawn" I hope you never have to go through what we are at the moment.
arthur dalyrimple
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4:23pm Sun 11 Nov 12
ohec
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4:31pm Sun 11 Nov 12
footballcrazy
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5:34pm Sun 11 Nov 12
Saintsincethe60s wrote:we certainly will boycott ford as will friends and family. i feel for the youngsters with familys.
It's quite simple in my mind - if Ford are boycotting Britain then britains should boycott ford vehicles full stop
footballcrazy
says...
5:46pm Sun 11 Nov 12
Pheeny wrote:those commenting with a yawn havent got a clue. perhaps they are lucky always to have had a job or not maybe. we as a family have always had ford vehicles will now be looking elsewhere at other manufacturers. have to say really puts us off american companys. (comet now closing with job losses, owned by american i believe). also europe are certain countries preffered rather than those that all their money put in? these are our youngsters who all deserve better in both england and belgium.
Hi,
I'm one of the Ford workers from Genk and can I just wish all my fellow colleagues in Southampton the best for the future and I hope you can get a good settlement.As for the ones commenting with a "yawn" I hope you never have to go through what we are at the moment.
Inform Al
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5:47pm Sun 11 Nov 12
Bannar man
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6:57pm Sun 11 Nov 12
Also did you know that no car plant has shut in Germany since the war, and they are payed more. Please tell me why?
I fear there is more to come from the car makers of Europe. It's grim.
Lone Ranger.
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7:16pm Sun 11 Nov 12
Inform Al wrote:Your not going to be eating, drinking or driving much in the coming months are you.
I have added Ford to my list of boycotts, Chinese goods for example (Tibet). I will also boycot any goods I notice being delivered in a post 2012 Ford vehicle.
.
Lockssmart
says...
7:19pm Sun 11 Nov 12
Pheeny
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7:24pm Sun 11 Nov 12
Inform Al
says...
7:39pm Sun 11 Nov 12
Lone Ranger. wrote:That'll be the case anyway thanks to the look after our rich friends gumment.
Inform Al wrote:Your not going to be eating, drinking or driving much in the coming months are you.
I have added Ford to my list of boycotts, Chinese goods for example (Tibet). I will also boycot any goods I notice being delivered in a post 2012 Ford vehicle.
.
Reality-man
says...
7:59pm Sun 11 Nov 12
Inform Al
says...
8:11pm Sun 11 Nov 12
Reality-man wrote:Perhaps if those 28000 were to boycott the Saints next season we wouldn't have to put up with having a second rate footie club for much longer.
And 28,000 turned up at St Mary's hoping Saints would win, that didn't make a blind bit of difference either
andysaints007
says...
8:17pm Sun 11 Nov 12
Lone Ranger. wrote:He's nearly as pathetic as you Rectum Ranger - ooops I meant Moan Ranger !
Inform Al wrote:Your not going to be eating, drinking or driving much in the coming months are you.
I have added Ford to my list of boycotts, Chinese goods for example (Tibet). I will also boycot any goods I notice being delivered in a post 2012 Ford vehicle.
.
Pheeny
says...
9:31pm Sun 11 Nov 12
andysaints007
says...
9:48pm Sun 11 Nov 12
Pheeny wrote:It's a business not a charity mate! Looks like, just like a lot of us in the past, you are just going to have to accept it and look for another job! No one wiped my ar*e when I lost my job so quit the whining and deal with it !!!!
What really annoys me is the fact that a few years ago Ford America made a loss and Ford Europe a profit so "we" had to send money there as it's the same "company" but now it's the other way around we are suddenly apart...
Pheeny
says...
9:58pm Sun 11 Nov 12
andysaints007 wrote:so did you lose your job after you have taken a 12% wage reduction for 2 years to "guarantee" work until 2020 all legally signed etc.A quote from Henry Ford "A business that makes nothing but money is a poor business"
Pheeny wrote:It's a business not a charity mate! Looks like, just like a lot of us in the past, you are just going to have to accept it and look for another job! No one wiped my ar*e when I lost my job so quit the whining and deal with it !!!!
What really annoys me is the fact that a few years ago Ford America made a loss and Ford Europe a profit so "we" had to send money there as it's the same "company" but now it's the other way around we are suddenly apart...
Pheeny
says...
10:02pm Sun 11 Nov 12
Inform Al
says...
10:21pm Sun 11 Nov 12
andysaints007
says...
10:52pm Sun 11 Nov 12
Pheeny wrote:No - but then I didn't get the sort of pay offs that you are likely to get !!
andysaints007 wrote:so did you lose your job after you have taken a 12% wage reduction for 2 years to "guarantee" work until 2020 all legally signed etc.A quote from Henry Ford "A business that makes nothing but money is a poor business"
Pheeny wrote:It's a business not a charity mate! Looks like, just like a lot of us in the past, you are just going to have to accept it and look for another job! No one wiped my ar*e when I lost my job so quit the whining and deal with it !!!!
What really annoys me is the fact that a few years ago Ford America made a loss and Ford Europe a profit so "we" had to send money there as it's the same "company" but now it's the other way around we are suddenly apart...
Pheeny
says...
11:07pm Sun 11 Nov 12
andysaints007 wrote:Pay Off are you joking or what.I'd rather have a job until 2020 as promised instead of a "pay off" that is taxed by 65%....
Pheeny wrote:No - but then I didn't get the sort of pay offs that you are likely to get !!
andysaints007 wrote:so did you lose your job after you have taken a 12% wage reduction for 2 years to "guarantee" work until 2020 all legally signed etc.A quote from Henry Ford "A business that makes nothing but money is a poor business"
Pheeny wrote:It's a business not a charity mate! Looks like, just like a lot of us in the past, you are just going to have to accept it and look for another job! No one wiped my ar*e when I lost my job so quit the whining and deal with it !!!!
What really annoys me is the fact that a few years ago Ford America made a loss and Ford Europe a profit so "we" had to send money there as it's the same "company" but now it's the other way around we are suddenly apart...
Horse’s mouth
says...
11:10pm Sun 11 Nov 12
Pheeny
says...
11:19pm Sun 11 Nov 12
Horse’s mouth wrote:not at the moment no but we are not letting anything through the gates.St Petersburg (Russia) has stopped production because they need our support,we also supply other Ford plants so others will follow.
Pheeny is genk on strike?
andysaints007
says...
12:25am Mon 12 Nov 12
Pheeny wrote:Well you can't so deal with it - and go do your moaning over there where you chose to live - we have enough whiners over here already !!
andysaints007 wrote:Pay Off are you joking or what.I'd rather have a job until 2020 as promised instead of a "pay off" that is taxed by 65%....
Pheeny wrote:No - but then I didn't get the sort of pay offs that you are likely to get !!
andysaints007 wrote:so did you lose your job after you have taken a 12% wage reduction for 2 years to "guarantee" work until 2020 all legally signed etc.A quote from Henry Ford "A business that makes nothing but money is a poor business"
Pheeny wrote:It's a business not a charity mate! Looks like, just like a lot of us in the past, you are just going to have to accept it and look for another job! No one wiped my ar*e when I lost my job so quit the whining and deal with it !!!!
What really annoys me is the fact that a few years ago Ford America made a loss and Ford Europe a profit so "we" had to send money there as it's the same "company" but now it's the other way around we are suddenly apart...
Inform Al
says...
12:02pm Mon 12 Nov 12
andysaints007 wrote:Only a moron or Ford shareholder can possibly take the Ford side on this issue.
Pheeny wrote:Well you can't so deal with it - and go do your moaning over there where you chose to live - we have enough whiners over here already !!
andysaints007 wrote:Pay Off are you joking or what.I'd rather have a job until 2020 as promised instead of a "pay off" that is taxed by 65%....
Pheeny wrote:No - but then I didn't get the sort of pay offs that you are likely to get !!
andysaints007 wrote:so did you lose your job after you have taken a 12% wage reduction for 2 years to "guarantee" work until 2020 all legally signed etc.A quote from Henry Ford "A business that makes nothing but money is a poor business"
Pheeny wrote:It's a business not a charity mate! Looks like, just like a lot of us in the past, you are just going to have to accept it and look for another job! No one wiped my ar*e when I lost my job so quit the whining and deal with it !!!!
What really annoys me is the fact that a few years ago Ford America made a loss and Ford Europe a profit so "we" had to send money there as it's the same "company" but now it's the other way around we are suddenly apart...
sarfhamton
says...
1:11pm Mon 12 Nov 12
andysaints007
says...
9:00pm Mon 12 Nov 12
Inform Al wrote:Not really pal - I couldn't give a monkeys about Fords or you ****
andysaints007 wrote:Only a moron or Ford shareholder can possibly take the Ford side on this issue.
Pheeny wrote:Well you can't so deal with it - and go do your moaning over there where you chose to live - we have enough whiners over here already !!
andysaints007 wrote:Pay Off are you joking or what.I'd rather have a job until 2020 as promised instead of a "pay off" that is taxed by 65%....
Pheeny wrote:No - but then I didn't get the sort of pay offs that you are likely to get !!
andysaints007 wrote:so did you lose your job after you have taken a 12% wage reduction for 2 years to "guarantee" work until 2020 all legally signed etc.A quote from Henry Ford "A business that makes nothing but money is a poor business"
Pheeny wrote:It's a business not a charity mate! Looks like, just like a lot of us in the past, you are just going to have to accept it and look for another job! No one wiped my ar*e when I lost my job so quit the whining and deal with it !!!!
What really annoys me is the fact that a few years ago Ford America made a loss and Ford Europe a profit so "we" had to send money there as it's the same "company" but now it's the other way around we are suddenly apart...
chunky_lover says...
8:39am Sun 11 Nov 12