Half of Swaythling's Ford Transit factory workforce to go (From Daily Echo)

now they will have to come out in the real world and work for a living like the rest of us.

"could cost them £300 a month in lost bonuses and allowances"

Let's hope they were not overstretching themselves. Less beer, fags and $ky.

i would expect hundreds more in near future,not good for the city.

Martin Wellbourne wrote:
"could cost them £300 a month in lost bonuses and allowances"

Let's hope they were not overstretching themselves. Less beer, fags and $ky.

Quite. This isn't a £300 pcm salary reduction - which many people actually are facing - this is extra sweeties. Aww, bless

bigboybarry wrote:
now they will have to come out in the real world and work for a living like the rest of us.

thats a bit harsh!

As I am sure some of the more sensible ones would agree overpaid for a unskilled job. This is as much the unions fault as any one elses. They just kept on insisting on above inflation deals and as a result they have priced the product out of reach so now 'Fords' have to build it cheaper in Turkey.

this is not the workers fault, the unions should of been honest with its members. Fords are in the poop and need to make savings.

Now the Ford workers will see how few jobs there are for each of the 'skills' they possess-like feeding robots?

My dad has worked there for over 30 years and when overtime was available he was working 7 days a week, so how can you say he has not worked for a living!

bigboybarry wrote:
now they will have to come out in the real world and work for a living like the rest of us.

your living in a dream world,they have been living in the real world thats why its been around so long.
there seems to be some posters on here with a chip on their shoulder,i expect they were turned down for jobs there because a lack of skills.

does this mean that 500 ford workers will be able to sit at home on their pc's all day posting negatives comments on this site. lets hope they don't become as bitter as some of the present posters.

thesaint wrote:

bigboybarry wrote: now they will have to come out in the real world and work for a living like the rest of us.

your living in a dream world,they have been living in the real world thats why its been around so long. there seems to be some posters on here with a chip on their shoulder,i expect they were turned down for jobs there because a lack of skills.

Skills?

Repetitive job that has been shown to them?

The volume of negative and arrogant comments on here towards fords workers is worrying. There is clearly a total lack of compassion for those who will now be out of work but still have mortgages and families to feed- When you have relied on a set wage a £300 a month loss has a serious impact - I'm sure the Fords workers who actually get to keep there jobs wish it was as simple as cutting down on fags and drinks!

AHALL wrote:
The volume of negative and arrogant comments on here towards fords workers is worrying. There is clearly a total lack of compassion for those who will now be out of work but still have mortgages and families to feed- When you have relied on a set wage a £300 a month loss has a serious impact - I'm sure the Fords workers who actually get to keep there jobs wish it was as simple as cutting down on fags and drinks!

I sympathise with them, naturally, but only a fool would rely on bonuses and allowances to base their living style.
These are not guaranteed and should have been treated as an extra, not the norm.

I think every one has compassion, but I still remember the workforce going on strike when the fears of closure were first mentioned. That was a stupid reaction.

It surely is time for workers and unions to reflect on the future of wages and conditions if the factory wants to avoid total closure in two or three years time.

Georgieh333 wrote:
My dad has worked there for over 30 years and when overtime was available he was working 7 days a week, so how can you say he has not worked for a living!

take no notice off them georieh333, they are just office pen pushers, that would not know what a real hard days work would be like.

Does the country owe us a living, or do we, the workforce, expect too much? I think there is a complete imbalance with employers and workers. There is a downturn and we are going to suffer, being holy than thou, it would have been prudent to stash a bit away - but some have done so and what do they get, a kick in the pants for saving - who the hell is in charge? - financiers will get as much as they can from its employees, and it is up to the employee to organise his life if there are work problems - Fords have had this for yonks, surely it would make the workforce wise? Fords are in for the money, they are not social workers.

goard

hulla baloo wrote:

AHALL wrote: The volume of negative and arrogant comments on here towards fords workers is worrying. There is clearly a total lack of compassion for those who will now be out of work but still have mortgages and families to feed- When you have relied on a set wage a £300 a month loss has a serious impact - I'm sure the Fords workers who actually get to keep there jobs wish it was as simple as cutting down on fags and drinks!

I sympathise with them, naturally, but only a fool would rely on bonuses and allowances to base their living style. These are not guaranteed and should have been treated as an extra, not the norm.

If you have been earning with a shift allowance for 30 years? would you not base your budget on these earnings? i think so dont you Hulla Baloo?

southy wrote:

Georgieh333 wrote:
My dad has worked there for over 30 years and when overtime was available he was working 7 days a week, so how can you say he has not worked for a living!

take no notice off them georieh333, they are just office pen pushers, that would not know what a real hard days work would be like.

if youve ever seen the workers on overtime sweeping up painting floors chatting and laughing you would know its not work at all and the overtime is deliberately created by poor workmanship they only have themselves to blame

bigboybarry wrote:

southy wrote:

Georgieh333 wrote: My dad has worked there for over 30 years and when overtime was available he was working 7 days a week, so how can you say he has not worked for a living!

take no notice off them georieh333, they are just office pen pushers, that would not know what a real hard days work would be like.

if youve ever seen the workers on overtime sweeping up painting floors chatting and laughing you would know its not work at all and the overtime is deliberately created by poor workmanship they only have themselves to blame

So I take it you have worked at Ford before then?

How much Skill is needed to put wheels on a van?. Truth is the plant has always had to many staff i went there for a factory tour there were sofas and comfy chairs all over the place apparntly only half the shift worked at any one time.

AHALL wrote:
The volume of negative and arrogant comments on here towards fords workers is worrying. There is clearly a total lack of compassion for those who will now be out of work but still have mortgages and families to feed- When you have relied on a set wage a £300 a month loss has a serious impact - I'm sure the Fords workers who actually get to keep there jobs wish it was as simple as cutting down on fags and drinks!

the thing is there will be more job losses from people who supply the company and local shops,its a pity we get those thick posters who love posting their crap.i expect they are on low wages and want to bring everyone down to their level.

Those people chastising Ford workers for living on overtime and enhancement bonuses need to wake up and live in the real world. I work nights permanantly and therefore get rewarded as such. Although they call it 'enhancements' I can't see many people working nights without such an incentive. Working nights is hard work. When you are on nights or late shifts or very early shifts you earn the extra pay for the 'unsocial hours'. I don't think it's unreasonable to live from this money if it was a regular and reasonably permanant shift pattern. In this economic climate people have pushed themselves which is why we are now in the position we are in. Banks have give n out 125% or 100% mortgages, people have opted for interest only and fixed rate deals, loans and credit, so in the scheme of things, a ford worker relying on unsocial hours payments and overtime is not really that unreasonable in context.

I think having a good, strong work ethic, wanting to improve your families living standards should be praised not berated.

thesaint wrote:

AHALL wrote: The volume of negative and arrogant comments on here towards fords workers is worrying. There is clearly a total lack of compassion for those who will now be out of work but still have mortgages and families to feed- When you have relied on a set wage a £300 a month loss has a serious impact - I'm sure the Fords workers who actually get to keep there jobs wish it was as simple as cutting down on fags and drinks!

the thing is there will be more job losses from people who supply the company and local shops,its a pity we get those thick posters who love posting their crap.i expect they are on low wages and want to bring everyone down to their level.

what are you on a year? i very much doubt its more than me but then i had the sense to decline a job offer from Ford why? because i like to be busy when at work not kipping on a sofa for 4 hours. you had it good for years just like the dockers.

James May For PM wrote:
How much Skill is needed to put wheels on a van?. Truth is the plant has always had to many staff i went there for a factory tour there were sofas and comfy chairs all over the place apparntly only half the shift worked at any one time.

you did a tour so you base your rubbish on that,it sounds like porkies to me.
i also did the tour you mention and would not want to do their job at any cost,it opened my eyes to what they do.

James May For PM wrote:

thesaint wrote:

AHALL wrote: The volume of negative and arrogant comments on here towards fords workers is worrying. There is clearly a total lack of compassion for those who will now be out of work but still have mortgages and families to feed- When you have relied on a set wage a £300 a month loss has a serious impact - I'm sure the Fords workers who actually get to keep there jobs wish it was as simple as cutting down on fags and drinks!

the thing is there will be more job losses from people who supply the company and local shops,its a pity we get those thick posters who love posting their crap.i expect they are on low wages and want to bring everyone down to their level.

what are you on a year? i very much doubt its more than me but then i had the sense to decline a job offer from Ford why? because i like to be busy when at work not kipping on a sofa for 4 hours. you had it good for years just like the dockers.

you sound like a billy liar,so you turned down a job at ford,sorry more like they did not want you i would say.

bigboybarry wrote:
now they will have to come out in the real world and work for a living like the rest of us.

AND WHAT IS IT YOU DO FOR A LIVING? SIT ON YOUR ARSE IN FRONT OF A COMPUTER POSTING CRAP AND YOU CALL THAT WORK?

thesaint wrote:

James May For PM wrote: How much Skill is needed to put wheels on a van?. Truth is the plant has always had to many staff i went there for a factory tour there were sofas and comfy chairs all over the place apparntly only half the shift worked at any one time.

you did a tour so you base your rubbish on that,it sounds like porkies to me. i also did the tour you mention and would not want to do their job at any cost,it opened my eyes to what they do.

my "rubbish is also based on relations who"worked" at the plant for a number of years i could revel a few more scams like clocking your mates in and out but why bother it will be denied.lets be honest here when they offer you redundancy and it will be a good offer you will take it and run and i dont blame you for that.
Fact you are not selling the product you produce therefore lower numbers of staff are required either 500 go now or all of you by the end of the year and whats the betting the first in line for redundancy will be your union guys been there seen it got sold down the river.

James May For PM wrote:
How much Skill is needed to put wheels on a van?. Truth is the plant has always had to many staff i went there for a factory tour there were sofas and comfy chairs all over the place apparntly only half the shift worked at any one time.

those chairs and sofas is what the work force bring in so they can sit down to have there breaks, only half the shift works when its break time, that work line once started dont stop not even for lunch break.and would you know at what torque those wheel nuts are set at for each type of van, this guy has to do this has second nature and not keep looking up in books for each type off van, that conveyor line dont stop or slow down.
and bigboybarry ever heard off keeping the work place clean and tidy, oh right you work in a office and has some one come in to do it for you because your to lasy to do it for your selfs

Millbrook Dave wrote:

bigboybarry wrote: now they will have to come out in the real world and work for a living like the rest of us.

AND WHAT IS IT YOU DO FOR A LIVING? SIT ON YOUR ARSE IN FRONT OF A COMPUTER POSTING CRAP AND YOU CALL THAT WORK?

its my day off after 6 12 hour shifts inc the weekend

James May For PM wrote:

Millbrook Dave wrote:

bigboybarry wrote: now they will have to come out in the real world and work for a living like the rest of us.

AND WHAT IS IT YOU DO FOR A LIVING? SIT ON YOUR ARSE IN FRONT OF A COMPUTER POSTING CRAP AND YOU CALL THAT WORK?

its my day off after 6 12 hour shifts inc the weekend

whats that 6x12 shift sitting down, now try and do that 6x12 shift standing up and bending all the time.

World car production capacity has been consistently 20% above demand for around 20 years.
Sales in the last 5 years have been sustained by daft levels of credit.
The credit has gone.
The demand is going.
Worldwide, car production will fall by around 30%.
For ever.
Get used to it.

James May For PM wrote:

thesaint wrote:

James May For PM wrote: How much Skill is needed to put wheels on a van?. Truth is the plant has always had to many staff i went there for a factory tour there were sofas and comfy chairs all over the place apparntly only half the shift worked at any one time.

you did a tour so you base your rubbish on that,it sounds like porkies to me. i also did the tour you mention and would not want to do their job at any cost,it opened my eyes to what they do.

my "rubbish is also based on relations who"worked" at the plant for a number of years i could revel a few more scams like clocking your mates in and out but why bother it will be denied.lets be honest here when they offer you redundancy and it will be a good offer you will take it and run and i dont blame you for that.
Fact you are not selling the product you produce therefore lower numbers of staff are required either 500 go now or all of you by the end of the year and whats the betting the first in line for redundancy will be your union guys been there seen it got sold down the river.

yes i believe you but, i believe you make up these stories from a good source because of some grudge against not being taken on.my mate who works there thinks he knows you and you use to work for kwik fit and was a lazy worker took days of and they were glad to get rid of you.

in this recession there going to be more office workers losing there jobs than there will be on the shop floor, and many off them will not be able to get jobs again, theres been to many chiefs and not enough indians for over 18 years now. so think about that one office workers it could be you next and you got at lest 4 more years of this recession

babyharry wrote:

hulla baloo wrote:

AHALL wrote: The volume of negative and arrogant comments on here towards fords workers is worrying. There is clearly a total lack of compassion for those who will now be out of work but still have mortgages and families to feed- When you have relied on a set wage a £300 a month loss has a serious impact - I'm sure the Fords workers who actually get to keep there jobs wish it was as simple as cutting down on fags and drinks!

I sympathise with them, naturally, but only a fool would rely on bonuses and allowances to base their living style. These are not guaranteed and should have been treated as an extra, not the norm.

If you have been earning with a shift allowance for 30 years? would you not base your budget on these earnings? i think so dont you Hulla Baloo?

It is what the name implies, an allowance.
Regardless of whether they have worked there for 30 days or 30 years, to base your expenditure on bonuses and extras is foolish.
Working hours in places such as this are always likely to change.

housewife wrote:
World car production capacity has been consistently 20% above demand for around 20 years. Sales in the last 5 years have been sustained by daft levels of credit. The credit has gone. The demand is going. Worldwide, car production will fall by around 30%. For ever. Get used to it.

Doubt "For ever".

Markets will get better - the question is when.

I wonder would there be all this fuss if it was 500 jobs going from another factory one that hadn't been "hyped" by local media? maybe we are being played for fools by an editor who needs to keep up circulation?.Oh my comments above are only my opinion and based on what ive seen and been told.If this is incorrect then i apolgise it seems i have upset a few and this was not my intention so lets all get over it and move on.

southy wrote:

James May For PM wrote:

Millbrook Dave wrote:

bigboybarry wrote: now they will have to come out in the real world and work for a living like the rest of us.

AND WHAT IS IT YOU DO FOR A LIVING? SIT ON YOUR ARSE IN FRONT OF A COMPUTER POSTING CRAP AND YOU CALL THAT WORK?

its my day off after 6 12 hour shifts inc the weekend

whats that 6x12 shift sitting down, now try and do that 6x12 shift standing up and bending all the time.

Ooo-errrr! Do you work in a prison?

I'm disgusted with most of the comments made on this site. My husband has come home totally demoralised and upset only to read the rubbish published on this site. He has worked extremely hard over the last 26 years for this company, and where ever some of these people got their information about working conditions at Fords, I don't know, they are obviously lies. Our children did not see their dad for a week at a time when he was on nights or a late shift and when he was on earlies he was so tired he was in bed before them. The job has never been family friendly, but we knew this and have never made a fuss. Do any of you realise how many injuries the workers carry from the jobs they undertake? My husband has back, shoulder and upper limb problems due to the heavy lifting and twisting involved in carrying out the variety of jobs he was allocated. Many of the jobs have since been identified as too heavy and difficult for workers and robots have been used for the processes instead. He has worked hard to keep a roof over our head and resent the misinformation and anger directed at hardworking, worn out ford workers.

James May For PM wrote:
I wonder would there be all this fuss if it was 500 jobs going from another factory one that hadn't been "hyped" by local media? maybe we are being played for fools by an editor who needs to keep up circulation?.Oh my comments above are only my opinion and based on what ive seen and been told.If this is incorrect then i apolgise it seems i have upset a few and this was not my intention so lets all get over it and move on.

Sadly, this post shows up your lack of understanding of the situation.

How many employers are there in Southampton with over 1,000 employees?

How many production factories are there in Southampton?

How many places in Southampton have just announced 500 job losses in the city?

That's why this is a big story, and this pseudo-laissez faire attitude you are spouting is at best coming of as a poor attempt at trolling. At worst, someone who thinks they are far smarter and more successful than they actually are.

And no, I don't work for Ford.

New Transit launch delayed and the new 'B' car due to be produced in Romania shelved - as predicted.
Romania won't be happy. They are still expecting Ford to invest a much need E700 million. Opps!
And while it's true most of the UK's 13,000 Ford workers couldn't care less about 500 job losses at Southampton they do if they are expected to pay for it with a 3 year pay freeze. Especially after they were told they would be getting 10% over 3 years!! Unite gen Sec Tony Woodley is already in the Daily Mail calling for a National Strike!
I think Ford euro boss John Fleming has shot himself in the foot. Both he and his still-born projects will be soon out of favour in Detroit.
I would'nt write Southampton plant off just yet!

Where do I start?To be honest,I can't believe some of the despicable comments that have been made against Ford workers and the product they make.There are too many people who don’t really have any idea what they’re talking about.Inferences to workers being unskilled (FATBOY) and overpaid are unfounded.Sounds like jealousy to me!All jobs are graded so the more skilful the job, the more you get paid.Workers didn’t make up their own wages.What they get paid is what they have fought for through agreements with the company and they fully deserve every penny.Considering inflation-busting wages of other sectors and work they do,it puts into perspective the wages of these workers.Over the years,the company has seen increased automation and reductions in the workforce but these reductions have been made with workers being required to take on more work and attain more skills but still having to cope with increases in production.There is no comparison between the Southampton plant and Ford Otosan (Turkey).Skill levels of Southampton workers exceed those in Turkey by miles.When you consider the plant in Turkey is virtually brand new with the latest technology and Southampton still equipment which is 20 years old, it demonstrates the ability of these guys that are able to produce what has been the best class van in this country for decades.Only in recent years has Turkey been able to compete with the quality levels that Southampton sustain.I have spoken to engineers from Turkey that were amazed at the workload of some of the guys here as in some cases there were up to 5 people doing the work of one person from Southampton.Most of the jobs are repetitive(FATBOY), but that is normally the case on a production line.There are many variants of the transit and its components so even though a job may seem the same, there are significant differences.One of my “repetitive” jobs is doing a full service(electrical and mechanical) on a robot.I’d like to see you try.Talking about car production being 20% above demand (HOUSEWIFE)?What relevance is that?Southampton make the Transit and EVERY one is made to order - none are stockpiled.In fact, until July, production was to be increased futher to satisfy demand! I echo the comments of FordWorkersWife, BassetBadger and Bambi, among others.At times like this, the community should be supporting these guys – not rebuked with groundless,unsupport
ed,baseless,unsubsta
ntiated and tenous comments.

Good oh! Everybody out says T Woodley, strike while the iron's hot and get the place closed sooner. Like Crowe, striking is the answer to all problems and Nationalisaton the answer to all questions. What a couple of failures, sit down with management and get the best terms on offer, something can always be saved out of the ruins even if on the way we get a change of governement, or a decent respected Prime Minister which we so badly lack at present.

Thank you "fordworkerswife" for bringing some sanity to this forum, as a worker here for over 22 years it is only the thought of providing a good family standard of living that has kept most people here.
And the flip side is that the unsocial hours worked there means that a lot of good men are worn down by shift work.
For the first time in my Fords carrear i and many others will have a family life back.
As for bonuses never herd of any, and there are a lot of very misinformed / bitter people here that have not got a clue what they are talking about,
(have you jamesmay for pm).
Nobody wants sympathy, as thos of us that could go do so as voulanteers.
But give some respect and hope for the workers that stay, and put a lot back into the local area.

Is it coincidental or should we read more into the fact that most negative posts on this site have seemingly been written by an under 5 with a very poor grasp of the English language...? It continues to stagger me that those who lack such basic skills appear however to boast exceptional political, economic, and in many cases personal judgements, on a subject in reality they know very little about.

Likewise, The Daily Echo, in search of increased circulation appear to create most of the doom and gloom themselves, backed only by the fact they continue to send the office junior on hearing of any impending Ford news. Obviously said journo, pencil and notepad in hand never quite makes the announcement and, not wanting to arrive back at work red faced, sets about constructing a story. Much of what is reported is hype and embellishes the very few truths in such a way as to provide thoughts to those not capable of producing their own opinions. Seriously, do you think any company, let alone one producing for a volume driven market with tight profit margins really allows employees to very little..?

Much of what Ford does is good. Very good. Great products, dedicated employees and huge enthusiasm for the future.

Georgieh333 wrote:
My dad has worked there for over 30 years and when overtime was available he was working 7 days a week, so how can you say he has not worked for a living!

I've looked, and I've looked, and I can't see any comment that says "Georgieh333's dad has not worked for a living". Maybe being predictable and reactionary isn't for you, hmm?

babyharry wrote:

hulla baloo wrote:

AHALL wrote: The volume of negative and arrogant comments on here towards fords workers is worrying. There is clearly a total lack of compassion for those who will now be out of work but still have mortgages and families to feed- When you have relied on a set wage a £300 a month loss has a serious impact - I'm sure the Fords workers who actually get to keep there jobs wish it was as simple as cutting down on fags and drinks!

I sympathise with them, naturally, but only a fool would rely on bonuses and allowances to base their living style. These are not guaranteed and should have been treated as an extra, not the norm.

If you have been earning with a shift allowance for 30 years? would you not base your budget on these earnings? i think so dont you Hulla Baloo?

Think again. Many of us are shrewd enough to treat bonuses, profit-share and the like as the special extras they are. All my bonuses either go into a savings account opened especially for them, or on a nice treat - a new car, maybe - if I'm feeling generous toward myself. They're certainly not included in any budgeting I do

southy wrote:
in this recession there going to be more office workers losing there jobs than there will be on the shop floor, and many off them will not be able to get jobs again, theres been to many chiefs and not enough indians for over 18 years now. so think about that one office workers it could be you next and you got at lest 4 more years of this recession

You seem to have split the workforce neatly into "office workers" and "manual labourers" and that "office workers" is synonymous with "pointless administrative and middle-management positions", Southy, and of course there's a lot more to it than that. For example, you may pigeon-hole me - a software engineer - as an office worker, because my work happens to take place in an office. Truth be told, it's actually a production job, that happens not to need a factory to produce, since the goods produced are intangible, but rest assured, it is a production job nonetheless. And if you're about to claim "Oh, the IT industry is in trouble, they're all cutting back" don't bother, because there isn't, in fact, any such thing as "The IT industry" - it's a cross-cutting concern. You might as well say the bottom's falling out of the marketing industry, or the cleaning industry. Oh, and I don't work for any IT company, either.

Consider the entire employment spectrum before you draw such simplistic parallels again, and consider what state the world would be in if we really did only have good old honest manual labourers and managers

My husband has come home totally demoralised and upset only to read the rubbish published on this site

Tell him not to read it, then. I have every sympathy, sincerely, but you can't possibly imagine you'll find solace in the words of total strangers

Is it coincidental or should we read more into the fact that most negative posts on this site have seemingly been written by an under 5 with a very poor grasp of the English language...?

What do you mean by "negative comments"? A genuine question, btw. Often, people consider "negative" to mean "differs from my own view", and of course, that alone doesn't qualify, I'm sure a man of your standards would agree. So what is it you find objectionable here?

It continues to stagger me that those who lack such basic skills appear however to boast exceptional political, economic, and in many cases personal judgements, on a subject in reality they know very little about.

Split infinitives? With your command of English? Sorry, couldn't resist

Ha ha ha
I told you so

I think it's painful what is happening,because many people have mortgage at the bank & they will try "alternative solutions" to compensate this loss.Everyone can understand what means "alternative solutions".It's not a solution to make "cut & paste" at a production palnt & move it to China or Thailand.The CEO's will gain at wages,but they will loose at quality.Like Sherlock Holmes "the most difficult man for a man is to to think at crisis time & to find solutions".Maybe we should learn from Japanese guys.

Brit living in america. 500,000 per month loosing their jobs in u.s.a for the past two months, President Obama anounces.

Millions unemployed in u.s.a. true figures not published because unemployed people drop off the rolls,(unemployment runs out).

Unemployment extensions in all States. Job losses and families loosing thier homes here at a very alarming rate.

A message to all Southampton Ford workers - start to look for another job now, demand good redundancy packages.(the ceo's do).

Be prepared for a quick closure - very short notice. American corporations are notorious for acting quickly, with no compassion at all. (It is all about profit).

Fords are one of the corporations anouncing huge job losses here in u.s.a. Fords Southampton will close down.

Do not want to bring bad news, this is happening now in u.s.a. Closure is inevitable. Get prepared now.

Straight talking wrote:
Is it coincidental or should we read more into the fact that most negative posts on this site have seemingly been written by an under 5 with a very poor grasp of the English language...? It continues to stagger me that those who lack such basic skills appear however to boast exceptional political, economic, and in many cases personal judgements, on a subject in reality they know very little about. Likewise, The Daily Echo, in search of increased circulation appear to create most of the doom and gloom themselves, backed only by the fact they continue to send the office junior on hearing of any impending Ford news. Obviously said journo, pencil and notepad in hand never quite makes the announcement and, not wanting to arrive back at work red faced, sets about constructing a story. Much of what is reported is hype and embellishes the very few truths in such a way as to provide thoughts to those not capable of producing their own opinions. Seriously, do you think any company, let alone one producing for a volume driven market with tight profit margins really allows employees to very little..? Much of what Ford does is good. Very good. Great products, dedicated employees and huge enthusiasm for the future.

You can always tell when you are about to read a comment from a prize arse.
The first tell tell sign is the moniker - straght talking, common sense or the real truth.
This cretin starts off by ridiculing those who leave ill-informed comments on the website before starting on a wild fantasy about the way the story is covered.
Obviously stupid and ill-aquianted with the facts this person obviously has missed the point that 500 people have been laid off - not hype or foundless gloom, fact.
Straight-talking I bet you are so dense light bends round you.

Georgem wrote:
Is it coincidental or should we read more into the fact that most negative posts on this site have seemingly been written by an under 5 with a very poor grasp of the English language...?

What do you mean by Well spotted, although as I'm sure you're aware the split or cleft infinitive has been much debated over its use since the turn of the last century and has been accepted by many as appropriate on occasion.


To address your main response.
Granted, my use of the word 'negative' may have been used incorrectly to cover the broad range of sentiment felt by many of the initial comments. However my choice of the word negative wasn't used to reflect a difference of opinion (or my difference of opinion), and therefore should have been qualified with justification for its use. It may have read better as "most posts to this story lack any factual content backed only by subjective opinion" before going on to say "much of which promotes unnecessary negative feeling as shown by many of the responses".

Here we find ourselves debating the framework by which we present our thoughts, opinions and dare I say it, facts. Don't even get me started on some of the individual mindless and stupid responses...

Bambi wrote:

Straight talking wrote:
Is it coincidental or should we read more into the fact that most negative posts on this site have seemingly been written by an under 5 with a very poor grasp of the English language...? It continues to stagger me that those who lack such basic skills appear however to boast exceptional political, economic, and in many cases personal judgements, on a subject in reality they know very little about. Likewise, The Daily Echo, in search of increased circulation appear to create most of the doom and gloom themselves, backed only by the fact they continue to send the office junior on hearing of any impending Ford news. Obviously said journo, pencil and notepad in hand never quite makes the announcement and, not wanting to arrive back at work red faced, sets about constructing a story. Much of what is reported is hype and embellishes the very few truths in such a way as to provide thoughts to those not capable of producing their own opinions. Seriously, do you think any company, let alone one producing for a volume driven market with tight profit margins really allows employees to very little..? Much of what Ford does is good. Very good. Great products, dedicated employees and huge enthusiasm for the future.

You can always tell when you are about to read a comment from a prize arse.
The first tell tell sign is the moniker - straght talking, common sense or the real truth.
This cretin starts off by ridiculing those who leave ill-informed comments on the website before starting on a wild fantasy about the way the story is covered.
Obviously stupid and ill-aquianted with the facts this person obviously has missed the point that 500 people have been laid off - not hype or foundless gloom, fact.
Straight-talking I bet you are so dense light bends round you.

...you can indeed, they usually end the first sentence with the word 'prize arse'.

You've also spelt 'acquainted' incorrectly, something I'd have let go had it not been for the fact it was used three words along from where you brand another as stupid. Spelling errors don't make one stupid. Trying to use clever words to prove a point on a public site and not checking first is...