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Anger at ‘stalling bad news’ at Ford
AXED Ford's workers have hit out at the company for "stalling on bad news" and want a goodwill payout.
The motor giant told 125 workers at its giant Southampton plant that they were out of a job last week just days after they returned from three weeks of unpaid leave due to the factory's annual shutdown.
Workers told the Daily Echo that they believe the company must have known that they were going to shed staff before the shutdown and say the delay has cost them time and money.
Staff who have worked at the plant for more than six months are not affected as they can claim holiday for the period.
One of the workers whose contract is up on October 3, said: "It is terrible we are being treated like this. We have scrimped and lived off savings for three weeks because we believed we were returning to work and would be able to make that money back.
"I spoke to an agency about getting work for the shutdown period but they said no companies would want someone for just three weeks.
"If the company had had the decency to tell us beforehand I could have been out looking for another job and earning money - I think as a gesture Ford's should pay its short-term workers for the shutdown."
Another said: "Some people think Ford knew five months ago when they took us all on what was going to happen, I think that's a bit unfair but I don't think there is anyway they didn't know three weeks ago. Three weeks pay for the shutdown would go a small way to helping the people who are going to be out of a job and struggling to pay their mortgages and feed their children."
The job cuts have come after Ford slashed production yesterday.
This has sparked fears that the plant plans to hire temporary or agency workers on lower rates.
A Ford UK spokesman admitted that this had been done at Ford US but said no such measures were planned for the Southampton plant.
He added: "When the workers were taken on they were told they would not be paid for the three-week shutdown period so they knew this would be the case and they are continuing to work here until their contract runs out.
"When shutdown began we knew we would be reducing output but we did not know the exact details or the extent to which it would impact on the workforce."
The planned cuts in production first came light when the Daily Echo published leaked company documents in July.
The documents also showed that the plant was running at a £6m deficit against budget and that it may lose the contract for the new generation Transit
8:38am Wednesday 27th August 2008
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CommentPosted by: kebab man, in new turkey factory on 12:11pm Wed 27 Aug 08
lets face it folks, it costs too much to run the factory in the UK. The Turkish people do the same job at half the cost and produce a superior product. It makes sence that the factory in Southampton scale down and make parts or other bits which require less skill.
lets face it folks, it costs too much to run the factory in the UK. The Turkish people do the same job at half the cost and produce a superior product. It makes sence that the factory in Southampton scale down and make parts or other bits which require less skill.
Posted by: ken, stubbington on 1:52pm Wed 27 Aug 08
yes kebab man your observations are again spot on well donr you are very clever
yes kebab man your observations are again spot on well donr you are very clever
Posted by: inside man, hiding on 3:35pm Wed 27 Aug 08
Interesting fact.
Ford dont own the turkish plant or the work force. they just pay for the end product which I believe is a 41% ford 59% for turkish family that own the plant (ami or ame something like that)
So it's outsorcing a build.
I just wonder if/when the Southampton plant close and Ford put all there egg's into the Turkish plant will they be after more of the profit ?
I also see a lot of companys that have move things to far away returning to the uk.
Think point blank the whole of the world is a little short for cash and were feeling the crunch. which caused them to lay off the "TEMPORY" labour (as it says in there contract). Who knows next week there could be a big order come in a there re-hire them (I hope that happens)
Interesting fact.
Ford dont own the turkish plant or the work force. they just pay for the end product which I believe is a 41% ford 59% for turkish family that own the plant (ami or ame something like that)
So it's outsorcing a build.
I just wonder if/when the Southampton plant close and Ford put all there egg's into the Turkish plant will they be after more of the profit ?
I also see a lot of companys that have move things to far away returning to the uk.
Think point blank the whole of the world is a little short for cash and were feeling the crunch. which caused them to lay off the "TEMPORY" labour (as it says in there contract). Who knows next week there could be a big order come in a there re-hire them (I hope that happens)
Posted by: Son of Fred, Eastleigh on 5:55pm Wed 27 Aug 08
[quote][bold]kebab man[/bold] wrote:
lets face it folks, it costs too much to run the factory in the UK. The Turkish people do the same job at half the cost and produce a superior product. It makes sence that the factory in Southampton scale down and make parts or other bits which require less skill. [/quote] You are right kebab. The best bit is Ford can make the same van for half the cost and charge UK customers the same price for it and make EVEN more profit for US shareholders.
What a brilliant idea!!
I can't see what people are complaining about.
More of our industries should relocate there.
kebab man wrote:
lets face it folks, it costs too much to run the factory in the UK. The Turkish people do the same job at half the cost and produce a superior product. It makes sence that the factory in Southampton scale down and make parts or other bits which require less skill.
You are right kebab. The best bit is Ford can make the same van for half the cost and charge UK customers the same price for it and make EVEN more profit for US shareholders.
What a brilliant idea!!
I can't see what people are complaining about.
More of our industries should relocate there.
Posted by: fordie on 7:01pm Wed 27 Aug 08
[quote][bold]Son of Fred[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]kebab man[/bold] wrote: lets face it folks, it costs too much to run the factory in the UK. The Turkish people do the same job at half the cost and produce a superior product. It makes sence that the factory in Southampton scale down and make parts or other bits which require less skill. [/quote] You are right kebab. The best bit is Ford can make the same van for half the cost and charge UK customers the same price for it and make EVEN more profit for US shareholders. What a brilliant idea!! I can't see what people are complaining about. More of our industries should relocate there.[/quote] look do you lot not understand that Turkey are not the EU and you are unable to food the EU market with vans with out paying a large taxes which then make the van more to make than it does in the UK. i know most of you on here are only trying to wind others up and i am sure you are all happy to do this in your little bedsit in St Marys or where ever it is but please get the fact before writing on here.....
Son of Fred wrote:
kebab man wrote: lets face it folks, it costs too much to run the factory in the UK. The Turkish people do the same job at half the cost and produce a superior product. It makes sence that the factory in Southampton scale down and make parts or other bits which require less skill.
You are right kebab. The best bit is Ford can make the same van for half the cost and charge UK customers the same price for it and make EVEN more profit for US shareholders. What a brilliant idea!! I can't see what people are complaining about. More of our industries should relocate there.
look do you lot not understand that Turkey are not the EU and you are unable to food the EU market with vans with out paying a large taxes which then make the van more to make than it does in the UK. i know most of you on here are only trying to wind others up and i am sure you are all happy to do this in your little bedsit in St Marys or where ever it is but please get the fact before writing on here.....
Posted by: Son of Fred, easteligh on 7:58pm Wed 27 Aug 08
[quote][bold]fordie[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Son of Fred[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]kebab man[/bold] wrote: lets face it folks, it costs too much to run the factory in the UK. The Turkish people do the same job at half the cost and produce a superior product. It makes sence that the factory in Southampton scale down and make parts or other bits which require less skill. [/quote] You are right kebab. The best bit is Ford can make the same van for half the cost and charge UK customers the same price for it and make EVEN more profit for US shareholders. What a brilliant idea!! I can't see what people are complaining about. More of our industries should relocate there.[/quote] look do you lot not understand that Turkey are not the EU and you are unable to food the EU market with vans with out paying a large taxes which then make the van more to make than it does in the UK. i know most of you on here are only trying to wind others up and i am sure you are all happy to do this in your little bedsit in St Marys or where ever it is but please get the fact before writing on here.....[/quote] I am afraid it is YOU who needs to get the facts straight.
Although Turkey does not have full EU membership it has been an associate EU member since 1964.
In 1996 a customs union between Turkey and the EU came into force and shortly after Ford increased it's stake in Otosan and started to ramp up Transit production there.
They do not pay 'large taxes' to import vans into the EU neither are they subject to any volume restrictions.
Who on earth told you otherwise?
Your steward?
Although as Associate members Turkey enjoys the same customs status as other EU countries as they are not full EU members they are not hampered by EU Health and Safety and Employment Laws.Which brings us to another myth spouted by 'fordies' that it is 'easier' to make UK workers redundant.
Actually it is easier to make Turkish workers redundant. You just fire them.
But Ford aren't going to do this because they are more productive, cheaper and better workers.
fordie wrote:
Son of Fred wrote:
kebab man wrote: lets face it folks, it costs too much to run the factory in the UK. The Turkish people do the same job at half the cost and produce a superior product. It makes sence that the factory in Southampton scale down and make parts or other bits which require less skill.
You are right kebab. The best bit is Ford can make the same van for half the cost and charge UK customers the same price for it and make EVEN more profit for US shareholders. What a brilliant idea!! I can't see what people are complaining about. More of our industries should relocate there.
look do you lot not understand that Turkey are not the EU and you are unable to food the EU market with vans with out paying a large taxes which then make the van more to make than it does in the UK. i know most of you on here are only trying to wind others up and i am sure you are all happy to do this in your little bedsit in St Marys or where ever it is but please get the fact before writing on here.....
I am afraid it is YOU who needs to get the facts straight.
Although Turkey does not have full EU membership it has been an associate EU member since 1964.
In 1996 a customs union between Turkey and the EU came into force and shortly after Ford increased it's stake in Otosan and started to ramp up Transit production there.
They do not pay 'large taxes' to import vans into the EU neither are they subject to any volume restrictions.
Who on earth told you otherwise?
Your steward?
Although as Associate members Turkey enjoys the same customs status as other EU countries as they are not full EU members they are not hampered by EU Health and Safety and Employment Laws.Which brings us to another myth spouted by 'fordies' that it is 'easier' to make UK workers redundant.
Actually it is easier to make Turkish workers redundant. You just fire them.
But Ford aren't going to do this because they are more productive, cheaper and better workers.
Posted by: HR Man Ford, Ford on 5:52am Thu 28 Aug 08
Hows this for a goodwill gesture .....
They keep you all on till 3rd Oct instead of kicking you out with 1 weeks notice like they were going to do !
Folks the clue is in the word "temporary contract"
They are all just **** off as most of the "temporary" (theres that word again)contracts were family and friends of already serving fordies who had promised them an easy ride into the company and saying that their precious union would save them if anything happened.
Hows this for a goodwill gesture .....
They keep you all on till 3rd Oct instead of kicking you out with 1 weeks notice like they were going to do !
Folks the clue is in the word "temporary contract"
They are all just **** off as most of the "temporary" (theres that word again)contracts were family and friends of already serving fordies who had promised them an easy ride into the company and saying that their precious union would save them if anything happened.
Posted by: insideman, hiding on 12:51pm Fri 29 Aug 08
[quote][bold]HR Man Ford[/bold] wrote:
Hows this for a goodwill gesture ..... They keep you all on till 3rd Oct instead of kicking you out with 1 weeks notice like they were going to do ! Folks the clue is in the word "temporary contract" They are all just **** off as most of the "temporary" (theres that word again)contracts were family and friends of already serving fordies who had promised them an easy ride into the company and saying that their precious union would save them if anything happened.[/quote] Or maybe the reason they waited and choose the oct date is the shut down "loan (£500)" that lots of temps took and Ford wanting the money back at £50 a week rather than in one big lump sum and taking a man weekly wage and leaving him high and dry on a weeks notice.
"GOODWILL GESTURE" How very funny.
Most people can read between the lines.
As for being promised job's. After two years law states the contract to be made full time.
HR Man Ford wrote:
Hows this for a goodwill gesture ..... They keep you all on till 3rd Oct instead of kicking you out with 1 weeks notice like they were going to do ! Folks the clue is in the word "temporary contract" They are all just **** off as most of the "temporary" (theres that word again)contracts were family and friends of already serving fordies who had promised them an easy ride into the company and saying that their precious union would save them if anything happened.
Or maybe the reason they waited and choose the oct date is the shut down "loan (£500)" that lots of temps took and Ford wanting the money back at £50 a week rather than in one big lump sum and taking a man weekly wage and leaving him high and dry on a weeks notice.
"GOODWILL GESTURE" How very funny.
Most people can read between the lines.
As for being promised job's. After two years law states the contract to be made full time.
Posted by: Fred on 6:21am Sat 30 Aug 08
As a percentage of headcount the Echo is sacking more staff in the next few months. Should our local MP's be getting involved?
As a percentage of headcount the Echo is sacking more staff in the next few months. Should our local MP's be getting involved?
Posted by: Ian, bitterne park on 11:35am Sat 30 Aug 08
Son of Fred says
[italic]'Although as Associate members Turkey enjoys the same customs status as other EU countries as they are not full EU members they are not hampered by EU Health and Safety and Employment Laws.Which brings us to another myth spouted by 'fordies' that it is 'easier' to make UK workers redundant[/italic] .'
thats not a myth you ignoramus!!
It seems to me that you are the type of person that wants workers to work in an unsafe workplace without any form of employment protection. Health and Safety law, Employment Law and decent terms and conditions have been hard fought for over the last hundred years or so by ordinary men and women in their trade unions. To come out with such a stupid ill informed comment completely beggars belief.
You appear to me to be one of these fully paid up members of the Trendy Right who wants workers to be completely subservient to the employer and grateful for it.
The situation that Ford workers face is in no way the fault of the unions but the fault of the bosses internationally conducting a deliberate campaign of a race to the bottom in workers terms and conditions.
If you Son of Fred think its good to have an economy like Turkey where workers, as you say, just get fired, why dont you go and live there?
If Ford closes it will be a disaster for the local economy which with the current recession about to be the worst for 60 years, will see large swaythes of local Industries decimated.
Oh I forgot to say, the Ford bosses wont suffer will they?
Son of Fred says
'Although as Associate members Turkey enjoys the same customs status as other EU countries as they are not full EU members they are not hampered by EU Health and Safety and Employment Laws.Which brings us to another myth spouted by 'fordies' that it is 'easier' to make UK workers redundant .'
thats not a myth you ignoramus!!
It seems to me that you are the type of person that wants workers to work in an unsafe workplace without any form of employment protection. Health and Safety law, Employment Law and decent terms and conditions have been hard fought for over the last hundred years or so by ordinary men and women in their trade unions. To come out with such a stupid ill informed comment completely beggars belief.
You appear to me to be one of these fully paid up members of the Trendy Right who wants workers to be completely subservient to the employer and grateful for it.
The situation that Ford workers face is in no way the fault of the unions but the fault of the bosses internationally conducting a deliberate campaign of a race to the bottom in workers terms and conditions.
If you Son of Fred think its good to have an economy like Turkey where workers, as you say, just get fired, why dont you go and live there?
If Ford closes it will be a disaster for the local economy which with the current recession about to be the worst for 60 years, will see large swaythes of local Industries decimated.
Oh I forgot to say, the Ford bosses wont suffer will they?
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