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Strikers Tell Ford Dealership to Shift Out of Reverse |
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A year ago, Ford Motor Co. introduced a slogan “Way Forward” to tout its turnaround. But for the nearly 30 workers at the Valley Ford dealership in Hazelwood, Mo., the way is decidedly backward with management demanding pay cuts for workers and elimination of health care coverage.
Over the weekend, more than 300 union members and their families along with elected officials, turned out in the suburb of St. Louis to support the workers, members of the Machinists (IAM) and Teamsters. The workers walked out Nov. 1 after they could not reach a contract agreement with the dealership.
Robert Soutier, president of the Greater St. Louis Labor Council, says:
This fight affects all of labor in St. Louis, and we sent a message to Valley Ford that when you take on one of us, you get all of us.
The strike began after management demanded to gut paychecks, implement a two-tiered wage scale, replace the current pension plan with a less lucrative 401(k) plan, eliminate the employees family health care plan and increase employees’ portions for insurance to as high as $540 per month.
Most of the union dealerships in the area renewed expiring contracts several months ago. But Valley Ford rejected a contract similar to those agreed to by other union dealerships.
Tony Rippeto, business representative for IAM District 9, which represents mechanics and other service department employees, told the St. Louis Dispatch:
The workers were willing to take what had been established in the marketplace, and the company came to the table with a different mindset.
The strikers have gained strong community support. The Greater St. Louis Labor Council and area local unions are raising funds for the strikers through their “Five for the Fight” fund. In addition, local union members are joining the strikers on the picket lines. Representatives from 29 locals of eight unions rallied with the workers, as did several state legislators and St. Louis City Council members.
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From an email this morning:
Here’s something to think about: Ford has spent the last thirty years moving all its factories out of the US, claiming they can’t make money paying American wages.
TOYOTA has spent the last thirty years building more than a dozen plants inside the US . The last quarter’s results: TOYOTA makes 4 billion in profits while Ford racked up 9 billion in losses. Ford folks are still scratching their heads.
IF THIS WEREN’T SO TRUE IT MIGHT BE FUNNY Hey, it is time to wake up before it is too late………….