Ford Motor
Norfolk Ford workers resigned to fate
With plant furloughs this year, some already think of it in the past
BY JOHN REID BLACKWELL
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER
Sep 9, 2006
NORFOLK -- On the eve of a five-week layoff at Ford Motor Co.'s Norfolk F-150 plant, several employees spoke yesterday as if they were already working their final days.
"I wish Ford the best," said Ray Rollman, an electrician at the plant for 18 years. He and his two sons, who also work at the plant, want to start an electrical contracting business eventually, but it could be sooner than they think.
Ford announced in April that it would close the 81-year-old plant in 2008 as part of a restructuring plan to get its North American operations back to profitability.
Last month, the struggling automaker said the Norfolk plant, which employs 2,400 people, will shut down for nine weeks between Sept. 11 and Dec. 22. That started with the five-week layoff after yesterday's final shift.
Union members get 83 percent of their normal pay during manufacturer-imposed furloughs.
The additional downtime this year, including a week in August, has raised concerns that Ford might close the plant before 2008.
"Everyone thought this place was going to stay open forever," Rollman said. "I guess morale is at an all-time low."
Jerome Perry landed a job at the plant four years ago and thought he would spend the rest of his career working there.
"I thought I might retire from here, but it doesn't look like that is going to happen now," said Perry, an equipment operator who stopped by the union hall yesterday to get the work schedule for the next three months.
"Once they shut down today, this schedule means nothing," said Perry, who added that he is seriously considering taking another job offer.
Some workers are hoping for buyout offers from the company, Perry said. "I don't mind working here, but they need to tell me if I'm going to get something. I've got to think about my future."
Joe Stone, a 29-year employee, also expects an "announcement of buyouts or something. I don't see it going past the end of the year. We've had a good run with this plant."
The employees said they do not expect a reprieve with the company's change in leadership. This week, Bill Ford, the great-grandson of founder Henry Ford, resigned as the company's chief executive officer but remained as chairman. He was replaced as CEO by Alan Mulally, a former Boeing Co. executive credited with leading that company's turnaround in recent years.
Chris Kimmons, president of the United Auto Workers Local 919, said yesterday that the new CEO "has a good head on his shoulders. Hopefully, this guy will be an asset for the company. We'll just have to wait and see."
Ford, which plans to close 14 plants by 2012, is restructuring itself to match factories and workers to its reduced market share.
Kimmons said he is trying to remain optimistic about the plant.
"But every bit of news we have gotten from Ford has been bad news," he said. "I don't think it is going to turn the other way. I hope I am wrong."
Contact staff writer John Reid Blackwell at jblackwell@timesdispatch.com or (804) 775-8123.
With plant furloughs this year, some already think of it in the past
BY JOHN REID BLACKWELL
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER
Sep 9, 2006
NORFOLK -- On the eve of a five-week layoff at Ford Motor Co.'s Norfolk F-150 plant, several employees spoke yesterday as if they were already working their final days.
"I wish Ford the best," said Ray Rollman, an electrician at the plant for 18 years. He and his two sons, who also work at the plant, want to start an electrical contracting business eventually, but it could be sooner than they think.
Ford announced in April that it would close the 81-year-old plant in 2008 as part of a restructuring plan to get its North American operations back to profitability.
Last month, the struggling automaker said the Norfolk plant, which employs 2,400 people, will shut down for nine weeks between Sept. 11 and Dec. 22. That started with the five-week layoff after yesterday's final shift.
Union members get 83 percent of their normal pay during manufacturer-imposed furloughs.
The additional downtime this year, including a week in August, has raised concerns that Ford might close the plant before 2008.
"Everyone thought this place was going to stay open forever," Rollman said. "I guess morale is at an all-time low."
Jerome Perry landed a job at the plant four years ago and thought he would spend the rest of his career working there.
"I thought I might retire from here, but it doesn't look like that is going to happen now," said Perry, an equipment operator who stopped by the union hall yesterday to get the work schedule for the next three months.
"Once they shut down today, this schedule means nothing," said Perry, who added that he is seriously considering taking another job offer.
Some workers are hoping for buyout offers from the company, Perry said. "I don't mind working here, but they need to tell me if I'm going to get something. I've got to think about my future."
Joe Stone, a 29-year employee, also expects an "announcement of buyouts or something. I don't see it going past the end of the year. We've had a good run with this plant."
The employees said they do not expect a reprieve with the company's change in leadership. This week, Bill Ford, the great-grandson of founder Henry Ford, resigned as the company's chief executive officer but remained as chairman. He was replaced as CEO by Alan Mulally, a former Boeing Co. executive credited with leading that company's turnaround in recent years.
Chris Kimmons, president of the United Auto Workers Local 919, said yesterday that the new CEO "has a good head on his shoulders. Hopefully, this guy will be an asset for the company. We'll just have to wait and see."
Ford, which plans to close 14 plants by 2012, is restructuring itself to match factories and workers to its reduced market share.
Kimmons said he is trying to remain optimistic about the plant.
"But every bit of news we have gotten from Ford has been bad news," he said. "I don't think it is going to turn the other way. I hope I am wrong."
Contact staff writer John Reid Blackwell at jblackwell@timesdispatch.com or (804) 775-8123.
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