Fords knee jerk decision really Union busting?

“This is what is best for the company”
“This will help us return the company to profitability”
“Fords top priority is to continue making progress on our transformation plan…We are exploring all cost-effective solutions for air travel” (Wall Street Journal 11-21-08)
We have heard all of those quotes for the last several months…and in most cases I agree. We do need a profitable company…we do want the company to survive…and the UAW has never been interested in anything that would harm the companies it represents. Hence, the UAW renegotiated the contracts to help them. In fact labor is the biggest cheerleader for the company due to one simple fact if nothing else: If the company does not survive we are not employed! Our workforce takes extreme pride in the work they do and the company they work for, but why is that not reciprocated sometimes?
I call your attention to the two articles in regards to corporate travel listed below my article on the website…We were told on December 2, 2008 in a “meeting” in which our members thought was normal business, that Ford would be closing the Hangar and selling its jets and they in fact would be offered severance packages.
True…Congressional T.A.R.P. legislation reads that you are not allowed to own or operate corporate jets if you receive federal funds…a slap in the face and quite hypocritical if you ask me! Corporate America can’t travel on private jets yet some in Congress travels via private jet! I guess were used to the double standard from the government. The last time I checked Ford was marketing the fact that they were not going to be receiving federal funds. Again a decision I support 120% if we don’t need the money.
This past week we are confirming by talks at our Ford Flight Unit and it is has been reported in the Press that Executives will travel on another corporate travel service not owned by Ford and through a NON-UNION company. Let me be bold enough to remind you that we still have a Hangar and 5 jets parked in that Hangar not being utilized! So it’s ok now for them to go and utilize another company to fly on for company business?
Let me be perfectly clear…I believe in corporate travel for the purpose of company business. It only makes sense! Private Company planes for executives, the engineering community and other customers provide safety security and a tremendous convenience for those flying. Here is one example: The line stops in Kansas City while the company is launching a new vehicle. An engineer in Dearborn has to look at parts to verify what the problem is and work in earnest to get it fixed and get the line running again. Do you think it is best to get an emergency flight out on Northwest from Detroit to KC? It would make more sense for him to fly on the corporate jet eliminate the hassle of the main airport get to KC fix the problem and fly home the same day.
Our bargaining committee at the airport expected some reductions in staff and aircrafts, that too makes sense in these times. It certainly makes no sense to go to another corporate travel service fly with them and spend more money and risk security of work and safety of our employees….it certainly makes no sense for the company to utilize a non-union third party to travel when we have 5 jets at their disposal 24 hours a day 7 days a week…It certainly does not make any sense to hire employees, spend $455,000 in training of the employees, get rid of them and spend millions more on severance packages close the operation and still fly just pay more with another company. How does this help bring the company back to profitability?
Ford Motor Company cannot continue to employ “third” party entities and expect profitability, point in case Visteon.
Before the company testified before Congress the Executives flew on corporate Jets…Today the executives fly on corporate jets…what’s changed?
The UAW does not maintain their new corporate jets!
Maybe…the management only really wanted to eliminate the UAW workforce…68 years of Ford Flight…36 of those years UAW members serviced their aircrafts…The company seen an opportunity and took it…Union Busting at its best? Are management decisions like this going to return us to profitability? Only time will tell…You decide…

ALL BENEFITS INQUIRIES MUST BE DIRECTED TO THE NESC AT 1-800-248-4444. Thank You

All questions in regards to benefits must be directed to the NESC at 1-800-248-4444. Currently there is not a full time Representative to handle benefits Locally and all questions must be directed to the NESC until further notice.
Plan on attending the Sign ups at the Technical Learning Center on Friday March 20, 2009 for the business expo that Region 1-A will be hosting. There will be a business seminar to teach you how to run a website, apply for grant money and other business start up activities. You must sign up on Friday to be eligible to attend.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Remember the R&E Unit Meetings will occur on Wednesday March 18, 2009 here at Local 245 at 1:30 and 3:30 pm.
I appreciate and Thank You for the good turnout for our General Membership Meeting on Sunday!
The Local Benefits office is currently not staffed. If you are in need of answers to Benefit Questions, until further notice, please call 1-800-248-4444.
Last Call for V-CAP! If you did not sign a card or would like to sign up please contact the Local by this Friday as we will be delivering the cards to Region 1-A on Monday of next week! Thank you and be Safe!

There is a General Membership meeting this Sunday March 15, 2009 at 1 pm. Election committee Members will be elected to serve for a three year term. Hope to see you there...

Contract Modification Update

The Contract modification to the 2007 National Agreement Vote was held yesterday at Local 245 Headquarters. Membership in the R&E Unit passed the modifications overwhelmingly. The Skilled Trades Vote passed in favor by 66% and the Non Skilled Vote passed in favor by 70%. Thank you to everyone that came out and made their voice heard through their vote! A big thank you to Ruben Flores from the National Ford Department as well for dedicating his day to be here to answer questions.