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iTrader: (3)

Ford's announcement of up to 30,000 job cuts in North America, and up to
14 plant closures, is a shocking, painful blow that will shake the foundations
of the whole North American auto industry.

In Canada, Ford has formally announced the closure of its Windsor
castings plant, and other job reductions in Windsor that were anticipated in
the 2005 collective agreement negotiated last September between Ford and the
CAW. As a result of transitional measures and voluntary severance benefits
contained in that contract, we anticipate that the approximately 1100 jobs
which could be lost in Windsor as a result of these measures can be offset
through attrition and relocation within the time frame of the current
collective agreement (which expires in September 2008). Ford remains committed
to a new engine project for Windsor.
More surprising was Ford's announcement of the elimination of one shift
of production at St. Thomas in 2007, at a cost of some 1200 jobs. This is a
very negative and surprising development. It is a direct result of the decline
in Ford's share of the North American new vehicle market, and the aging nature
of the product produced at St. Thomas. The only positive news is that Ford
remains committed to the $200 million investment in updating the Crown
Victoria and Grand Marquis in St. Thomas.




UAW rips Ford's restructuring plans
DETROIT, Jan. 23 (UPI) -- The head of the United Auto Workers blasted Ford Motor Co.'s plans Monday to close 14 factories and lay off up to 30,000 workers.

Ron Gettelfinger called the plan "extremely disappointing and devastating news for the many thousands of hard-working men and women who have devoted their working lives to Ford."

He vowed to enforce all contractually binding provisions that offer protection and benefits to affected UAW workers and retirees.

"The announcement has further left a cloud hanging over the entire workforce because of pending future announcements of additional facilities to be closed at some point in the future," Gettelfinger said.

"Unfortunately, analyst and media speculation during the last month has made these events even more wrenching for Ford workers, their families and communities," he said.

"The announced plant closings and future announcements are the subject of ongoing discussions with Ford. Certainly, today's announcement will only make the 2007 negotiations all the more difficult and all the more important.

"The UAW-represented workers affected by today's action are covered by the job security program and all other provisions and protections of the UAW-Ford National Agreement. Our union will rigorously enforce those programs."