ack to the 70's - Ford bans non-Fords from parking lot
01-27-06, 06:57 AM
#1
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ack to the 70's - Ford bans non-Fords from parking lot
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11057921
DEARBORN, Mich. - The parking lot at Ford Motor Co.'s Dearborn Truck plant just got a little more exclusive.
Plant manager Rob Webber announced Monday that, starting Feb. 1, the parking lot may be used only by employees who drive vehicles built by Ford or one of its subsidiaries.
Webber's move came the same day Ford announced a restructuring plan under which it will cut up to 30,000 jobs and close 14 facilities by 2012. Ford said the plan is designed to make the company's North American division, which lost $1.6 billion last year, profitable by 2008.
"It was something this plant manager took upon himself. It's not a company-wide policy," Ford spokeswoman Anne Marie Gattari said, adding that Webber made the decision after consulting with local UAW leaders.
Jerry Sullivan, president of United Auto Workers Local 600, which represents about 2,600 workers at the plant, applauded Webber's move.
"Everybody's in this together. (We need) to buy the products we make and support the company," Sullivan said. "This is a good place to start."
The UAW in the past has banished Asian and European vehicles from its parking lots. The restriction at Dearborn Truck, however, may be the first to be sanctioned by an automaker, The Detroit News reported Friday.
The ban applies to both salaried and hourly workers with permits to park on site. About 15 percent of Dearborn Truck employees have such permits. Employees who don't drive Ford products can still park in an employee lot across the street from the plant.
Those employees will include a veteran skilled tradesman who said he drives a vehicle made by DaimlerChrysler AG because it gives him "the most bang for my buck."
"They can't tell you how to spend your money," said the man, who asked not to be identified for fear of reprisals. "It's still a free country."
DEARBORN, Mich. - The parking lot at Ford Motor Co.'s Dearborn Truck plant just got a little more exclusive.
Plant manager Rob Webber announced Monday that, starting Feb. 1, the parking lot may be used only by employees who drive vehicles built by Ford or one of its subsidiaries.
Webber's move came the same day Ford announced a restructuring plan under which it will cut up to 30,000 jobs and close 14 facilities by 2012. Ford said the plan is designed to make the company's North American division, which lost $1.6 billion last year, profitable by 2008.
"It was something this plant manager took upon himself. It's not a company-wide policy," Ford spokeswoman Anne Marie Gattari said, adding that Webber made the decision after consulting with local UAW leaders.
Jerry Sullivan, president of United Auto Workers Local 600, which represents about 2,600 workers at the plant, applauded Webber's move.
"Everybody's in this together. (We need) to buy the products we make and support the company," Sullivan said. "This is a good place to start."
The UAW in the past has banished Asian and European vehicles from its parking lots. The restriction at Dearborn Truck, however, may be the first to be sanctioned by an automaker, The Detroit News reported Friday.
The ban applies to both salaried and hourly workers with permits to park on site. About 15 percent of Dearborn Truck employees have such permits. Employees who don't drive Ford products can still park in an employee lot across the street from the plant.
Those employees will include a veteran skilled tradesman who said he drives a vehicle made by DaimlerChrysler AG because it gives him "the most bang for my buck."
"They can't tell you how to spend your money," said the man, who asked not to be identified for fear of reprisals. "It's still a free country."
01-27-06, 07:28 AM
#2
Lexus Fanatic
Now.......let's start DEFINING Ford products. Let's see ........Volvo, Land Rover, Mazda, Jaguar, Aston Martin, etc..... 
I'd say a pretty diverse parking lot.
I'd say a pretty diverse parking lot.
01-27-06, 08:21 AM
#4
Lexus Champion
Originally Posted by GSXLEX
I guess they wanted Fords closer to the plant for those frequent repairs! 
Coming from someone who's had Ford products in the family... I'd still rather walk several blocks from the lot to the factory than drive one of their clunkers.
01-27-06, 08:28 AM
#5
Lexus Fanatic
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Originally Posted by 1SICKLEX
"They can't tell you how to spend your money," said the man, who asked not to be identified for fear of reprisals.
"It's still a free country."
I'm not saying I agree with what Ford is doing but that doesn't mean they should be prevented from doing it.
01-27-06, 08:39 AM
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Originally Posted by mmarshall
Now.......let's start DEFINING Ford products. Let's see ........Volvo, Land Rover, Mazda, Jaguar, Aston Martin, etc.....
I'd say a pretty diverse parking lot.
I'd say a pretty diverse parking lot.
Hee hee. Probably some truth in that sentiment!
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01-27-06, 11:44 AM
#11
Lexus Fanatic
Originally Posted by picus
Given how litigious North American is you know this will end up in a lawsuit, and the policy will quickly be stopped
If it was me, I would simply tell the manager and the union they can both kiss my a * * and, if possible, go get a job elsewhere...maybe at a non-union plant.
01-27-06, 11:51 AM
#12
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Originally Posted by mmarshall
If it was me, I would simply tell the manager and the union they can both kiss my a * * and, if possible, go get a job elsewhere...maybe at a non-union plant.
Speaking of naive, this is MI... there are no other (non-union) jobs (for his skill set)! lol
01-27-06, 02:50 PM
#13
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I'll park my Lexus right in front with a print out of my stock holdings in Toyota on the windshield. 
Maybe I'll leave business cards with the local EDD office as a courtesy.
Maybe I'll leave business cards with the local EDD office as a courtesy.
01-27-06, 06:06 PM
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Originally Posted by mmarshall
And what if it IS stopped? Given the redneck attitude of the plant managers and the union bosses, who would WANT to......or be foolish enough to actually PARK a non-Ford or non-Ford-subsidary vehicle in the lot? Come on, guys, don't be naive. You know darn well what will happen. That car will have everything from key lines to spray-paint graffiti to slashed tires to busted-out windows on it.
If it was me, I would simply tell the manager and the union they can both kiss my a * * and, if possible, go get a job elsewhere...maybe at a non-union plant.
If it was me, I would simply tell the manager and the union they can both kiss my a * * and, if possible, go get a job elsewhere...maybe at a non-union plant.