Ford media coverage today - Thur 15th Nov 2012

[Sinead Phipps]

There is some significant media coverage happening today about our redundancy program which we announced in July and are implementing tomorrow. I thought I'd share our statement with you so you're aware of what's actually going on.

Statement:

On July 17 this year, Ford announced we would be implementing a reduction in production rates in November from 209 units a day to 148 units per day with a corresponding reduction in employment numbers of up to 440 employees.

Since that time, redeployment and in-sourcing opportunities were found which reduced the total number of employees leaving our business down to 330, more than 100 less than previously announced.

As promised, those redundancies were offered on a voluntary basis in the first instance, with approximately 118 employees applying. Unfortunately, as we didn’t achieve the required number of redundancies voluntarily, the company is moving ahead with a compulsory redundancy program.

This is not a separate or additional program of redundancies – it is the same program announced in July but with the final number reduced by 110 people.

Our goal for Friday November 16 is to implement this program in as dignified and caring a manner as possible and not single out those who are leaving our business compared to those who are remaining. As part of that, we have sought input from our employees and unions and have developed a plan that we believe is as caring and respectful as possible. It includes:

• We have designated Friday as a non-production day across our manufacturing sites, with employees not needing to come to work for their usual shift. All employees will be paid for the day
• Individual appointments for ALL employees (including those remaining) were set up in advance, with employees asked to come to work only at the time of their appointment
• Every manufacturing employee will take part in a briefing session with their manager and a HR rep – this includes the majority of the employees who are remaining, as well as those who will be leaving
• If chosen to leave the organisation, employees will receive information on all their benefits, including re-training and financial counselling, and will then depart the organisation immediately
• Those team members remaining with Ford will also receive an information pack during their meeting so as to ensure that each employee departs with an envelope – again, the intent is not to single out those who are leaving the business

Despite our best efforts, it will be a very difficult day for the entire Ford team – none more so than those team members leaving our business. We ask that others respect our employees as they work through this time.

[DJM83]

Tough times i guess and have to do what you have to do. I feel for the people that will be leaving and wish them the best in the future along with the company aswell.

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by DJM83

Tough times i guess and have to do what you have to do. I feel for the people that will be leaving and wish them the best in the future along with the company aswell.

Well said mate. The end.

[Wretched]

Unfortunately the current climate has forced many organisations to complete similar activities. It isn't limited to any one industry either.

I feel for any person who has to go through this process and especially at this time of the year. Hopefully those that are put out of work can find another role as soon as possible.

[P6LTD351]

Thanks for keeping us updated Sinead. We know how the media can make this sound like it's new redundancies rather than promoting it as reduced levels of redundancies.

[RHR]

Media spin. This is whats killing Ford AUST


" Ford’s head office offered voluntary redundancies to around 330 workers when it announced the staff cutbacks in July this year, Nine News reports.
Only 118 staff members have elected to take redundancies with the remainder now facing retrenchment six weeks from Christmas.
Friday will be a non-production day and Ford managers will meet face-to-face with retrenched workers.
A small number are expected to be offered alternative positions within Ford.
Almost half of the 1700 workers across the two plants have been with the company for 25 years.
Ford is expected to sack at least 70 workers as its Geelong plant and 140 from Broadmeadows.
Security guards are being called in to escort sacked workers from the Geelong factory when it closes its doors, the Geelong Advertiser reports.
Ford is holding an afternoon tea at the plant today which one source told the newspaper was like a “last supper”.
“Come Friday night these guys' ***** are going to be dragging on the ground - and that's terrible, really terrible,” a worker told the Geelong Advertiser."


http://finance.ninemsn.com.au/newsbu...kers-on-friday


This media cr@p is really starting to (insert word here)

Media statements WILL NOT save Ford AUST.

[DanielXR8]

Best wishes to those who find themselves looking for other employment.

Full credit to Ford and the management team there for trying to make this very difficult process, as dignified and fair as possible. Many organisations have done less.

Dan

[Smoke Pursuit]

Yes atleast there's some warning... not like Toyota.

Hopefully some of the older guys will retire if they can afford to, letting the young fellas stay on.

[buggerlugs]

It's not just Ford. It is everywhere. I am hearing of customers and/or business being laid off or going belly up on a daily basis.....................

[superfly]

Originally Posted by buggerlugs

It's not just Ford. It is everywhere. I am hearing of customers and/or business being laid off or going belly up on a daily basis.....................

You're not wrong there. Even the media companies are downsizing.

[distortion]

Wow, what a well thought through process for this - well done Ford (and those involved), in trying to be holistic about the process. Surely a tough thing to have to do, but doing it as carefully as possible does ease the discomfort somewhat.

I know when I've had to let people go, to not be able to help them retrain etc was pretty crap.

[Bossxr8]

Should be good fun having to walk through a media scrum trying to get a comment tommorow morning. Vultures.

[Nikked]

Kochie and Co on Sunrise were particularly harsh...

[GQ_Smooth]

Heard you on the radio earlier today Sinead, you did well considering the topic, and relative lack of knowledge of the interviewer, wanting to pick a fight. Well done.

[turbodewd]

Originally Posted by Nikked

Kochie and Co on Sunrise were particularly harsh...

Wot did thay say? (delib spelling)

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by Nikked

Kochie and Co on Sunrise were particularly harsh...

That's because they are a pack of *********, they were making it sound as though there were 212 forced redundancies ON TOP of the 440 announced in July. Talk about being flexible with the facts.

[Sinead Phipps]

We did our absolute best to try and avoid the media situation we're now seeing. One of the key requests we had from our team members was that we not let media know in advance. We didn't tell anyone but unfortunately someone from within the company decided to talk to the Geelong Advertiser and then others held press conferences and it snowballed from there. From what we can tell so far, the media are being respectful of our employees, which is the main thing right now.

GQ Smooth - thanks for the feedback. It was a tough interview with obviously a set perception already. Still, we were allowed to say our piece and then I think Dave Oliver did a good job in firing back after me as well.

[Sinead Phipps]

As for Sunrise, their report this morning is odd - and at odds with their news report last night. Channel 7 has all the facts (and used them in their nightly news) so there's absolutely no excuse for getting it so wrong this morning.

[RHR]

Are ford gonna fire something back at the "media experts". They are also saying no more development projects here in aus

[DJM83]

Maybe a copy of the above statement needs to be sent to them aswell. Thought did cross my mind but you would never get a reply.

Was probably Kochie providing some business tips for FoA.

[Nikked]

Pretty much, Joe hocky and kochie condeming Ford because of the government grant, nothing said about tariff reductions. I wish i had Twitter....

[Jason[98.EL]]

Originally Posted by Nikked

Pretty much, Joe hocky and kochie condeming Ford because of the government grant, nothing said about tariff reductions. I wish i had Twitter....

yep it was about the one that ford received so they could build the focus here

from memory ford didnt use that grant but did use one to keep the inline 6 going and get it up to what ever euro we are up to atm

it was also reported on 774 abc radio

aus media needs to be put back in their box

abc also mentioned something about ford au building the ranger here

Sinead can you give us some insight to the comment by John Fane ( spelling ) on that comment either here or in pm

thanks

Jason

[blk6t]

It's horrible news and it's something I never wish upon anyone....I have been through redundancy back in 2008 GFC and it's a horrible feeling, forced upon and immediate...at the time you have no idea what to do. Luckily Ford are a large corporation and i'm sure a good package had been put together. For all those affected, it's this down time now that is of most importance in sourcing new employment and/or training. Myself and I'm sure lots of others are here for advice if you ever need.

We can't be mad at Ford, but the media however are also just "creating" spins for their viewers which is pretty usual.

Although, it would have been good Sinead to ask Koshie what car he drives and whether he supports Australian manufacturing...but I think you did the best you could, in any interview the interviewer is generally in control. Good Job!!!

I do wish the best for all affected, stay strong!!!

[Fiesta_Man69]

Originally Posted by Sinead Phipps

As for Sunrise, their report this morning is odd - and at odds with their news report last night. Channel 7 has all the facts (and used them in their nightly news) so there's absolutely no excuse for getting it so wrong this morning.

The problem with sunrise this morning was that hundreds of thousands watch and listen and take it as fact...

Kochie said the Falcon was only selling a few hundred a month - yes, we know that's wrong but he influences a much much wider audience than this forum.

Joe Hockey also confirmed (again) the Libs plan to cut $500 million from govt. subsidies for the local industry.

Labours Tony Burke had the perfect opportunity to respond while talking about the need for green cars: he could have talked about the Ecoboost and Lpi Falcons that were developed with the govt. subsidy but didn't....

Sunrise made it sound like these were a new round of cuts. Kochie then blurts out that the Falcon isn't selling: this creates the smell of death around the car, precisely what killed the Mitsubishi 380.

[Drizz06]

Reading all the false the information spread by these idiots really makes my blood boil. Congrats to Aussie media for further damaging our local auto industry. Gee it's gonna be fun deciding between Hyundai or Kia in a few years time.

Big thankyou to Sinead for keeping us up to date and informed of the truth.

[turbodewd]

When the NBN rolls out AU-wide u may well see redundancies from Channel 7 as TV stations get rolled.

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by Sinead Phipps

As for Sunrise, their report this morning is odd - and at odds with their news report last night. Channel 7 has all the facts (and used them in their nightly news) so there's absolutely no excuse for getting it so wrong this morning.

Only one way to attack this little issue with David Kock and his entourage, is come out on the front foot correcting their little misdeeds with some facts.

[Sinead Phipps]

Thanks for the input and feedback. Rest assured that wherever we see inaccuracies or over sensationalising, we are correcting with facts. What ends up being used isn't up to us however. I do think that the majority of the reporting this time around (with some obvious exceptions noted above) has been pretty balanced and respectful. No matter what we say or how we do it, it's a sad day for our employees and all we can do is try and get through it in the best possible way and give the best possible support to those who are leaving - and then try and get the majority of people who are staying fired up and back on track on Monday morning. There's going to be a significant period of adjustment for those remaining as well.

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by Sinead Phipps

Thanks for the input and feedback. Rest assured that wherever we see inaccuracies or over sensationalising, we are correcting with facts. What ends up being used isn't up to us however. I do think that the majority of the reporting this time around (with some obvious exceptions noted above) has been pretty balanced and respectful. No matter what we say or how we do it, it's a sad day for our employees and all we can do is try and get through it in the best possible way and give the best possible support to those who are leaving - and then try and get the majority of people who are staying fired up and back on track on Monday morning. There's going to be a significant period of adjustment for those remaining as well.

Have you thought about going on these shows to actually talk to them and correct the BS being spread by these 'journalists'?

I have no respect for commercial channel news as they sensationalism what they can.

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by vztrt

Have you thought about going on these shows to actually talk to them and correct the BS being spread by these 'journalists'?

I have no respect for commercial channel news as they sensationalism what they can.

That's actually a pretty good idea. Put these goons in their place by going on their own shows and bringing some matter-of-fact to the table. It would resonate with viewers and the buying public too who would see it as a sign of having confidence in the brand.