Indy8

This is not a reward. A reward would be if they built a new better parking lot and only allowed Ford vehicles to park there. A penalty is when folks who could previously park anything they wanted anywhere they wanted are now restricted. There is definately a difference.

TALAN7

That Ford allowed this to happen says a lot about Ford and their culture. They should've had a sense of Esprit De Corp at Ford that any employee working for them shouldve reflected. How can you work for a company and not respect what it produces. You don't be in the Army and root for the Navy at the Army Navy game. This reflects on the state of the American workforce, and by that I mean company and employee. In America we can work for a company but not take pride in that company.

American workers all through the 80's worked for the big 3 reaping the benefits of big unions. More bebefits, more pay, more time off, heck we'll even get you a deal to get paid when you're not even working, but don't stand behind what you make. Don't speak up and say "Hey, let's make a product we can be proud of." We always want to blame the companies but we need to look at ourselves. Who are the companies but the individuals who make it up. The reason why tha Japanese are ahead of us is because way back when we were making junk they were allowing any person on the assembly line to stop it to make a correction. That's what its about, making corrections in a timely manner. Taking pride in what you do, not collecting a paycheck.

Now we have those same Americans working on the same soil for Japanese companies who make sure they instill in their employees a sense of pride in what they belong to. Go look at any Honda factory in the US and I bet most of the cars their are Hondas. It's not just about getting more benefits but about benefiting the company who in turn can benefit you and your children.

It's almost as if the bif 3 have to go so something better can come up in it's place, and as far as FORCING your employees to take stock in what they build, well that's just a flawed concept.

zoom44

you never had a beer at lunch?

Japan8

Uh no. That kind of thing happens all the time. They decided to make the choice spaces reserved for "employee of the month" and other such "rewards". Now you can't park there anymore. Case in point... The Orlando Sentinel (Tribune Media Corporation) has all the choice parking spaces reserved... "visitor" parking or for "Employee of the Month", "Salesperson of the Month", "Vice President", etc.

Wah wah... cry me a frickin' river...

Japan8

Typical american thinking. Read my post before this one. It happens. It's normal. It's not discrimination. People whining about fricking parking privledges being discrimination utterly disgusts me when in this day and age situations of DWB and other types of police harrassment happen all the time.

rodrigo67

Japan8, I understand there are social difference's between cultures. The japanese have a much better team concept then americans do. That said, it is our individualism that makes us who we are. Everything from our homes, fashion to our cars. For one company to tell us what we should or shouldn't do, is unacceptable.

I understand the concept of pride in your product, but you don't eat a hershey bar if you want a salad. There are many classes of car that ford just does not have a offering in, and to expect your employees to put aside thier personal taste to tow the company line is not reasonable.

Yes, it would be nice to have a parking lot full of fords. If it were that important to ford, I don't see why they wouldn't make thier employee's such a great deal om ford cars that the workers would think it a reward to buy one. Imagine if you didn't have such an idiotic policy and the parking lot was still filled with fords...

I understand it is not a punishment, but ford is trying to coerce it's employees to buy a product they otherwise might not have bought. Let's see, if you give the company money, you get favorable treatment, but if you don't, then you do not. Nope, nothing wrong with that right?

Freedom of choice is a wonderfull thing...in the end, it's the only freedom we all really have.

Japan8

Uh, I'm NOT Japanese, buddy. I just live here.

Ford isn't bribing anyone. You work at a department store like Dillard's and you get an employee discount. You work for Citigroup and the company offers special employee loans and "bonus" for employee stock purchases. Companies encouraging their employees to buy from them/buy their prodcuts... oh my God... unheard of! This is bribery!

You aren't being told to buy Ford or get fired tomorrow. You aren't being told that you can't drive your non-Ford family car to work. You aren't even being told that you have to park a mile or more away because your car isn't Ford family. You can buy whatever you want. Even if you buy Ford there is no guarantee that you'll even get the pass for the closer space. There are a limited number of spaces...

Look. If you can't get this... oh well. Not my problem.

Indy8

I respect your opinion, but at the same time, you are still talking about this not being "as bad" as something else. I must admit, I really don't care if these guys have to park an extra 100 feet from the plant then they might've the day before. I am speaking in concepts, and we are not on the same page, which is ok. If I worked at Ford, you bet your *** I'd have a blue oval on my ride. But I wouldn't expect better treatment from my employer as a result.

Japan8

Well that's your problem. Whether you like it or not it is standard accepted practice across all industries and even on principle I have no problem with it. Even on pure principle you are still missing the point.

I was not refering to it as "not being "as bad" as something else". I was plainly stating that it is a joke to consider it "discrimination." Offering incentives... rewards to your employees for loyalty isn't discrimination. If for some reason you didn't have equal access/opportunity... like say Ford was doing this only for people who own Ford GT's... that's a different story. But since that isn't the case, it's fair. The whole Ford family covers a wide range of prices and markets. No they don't have everything like an Evo competitor. So buy the Evo instead... you aren't being forced to buy the Ford. This is the same as employee discounts. You are paying more to buy a non-Ford. It's unfair that people who buy a Ford get to pay less?! You think Ford should offer a voucher of some type for those people?!

Indy8

OK Japan8. Looks like we're pretty much not going to agree. Everyone knows that all companies offer incentives to their employees, and you insult my intelligence by repetitively stating that. I am still amazed that you somehow spun this preferential treatment to certian employees into an "incentive" in your mind. Until we can agree on what a perk or incentive is, I guess this is a dead issue between us. So, good luck convincing everyone else, I'm on to the next topic. Enjoy your time overseas.

SHOWOFF

I have had "A" beer at lunch, but I am also not building vehicles. I'm not operating machinery at the risk of the safety of the others I work with. I'm not building a vehicle that weighs 7000 lbs and travel at 80 MPH just a few feet away from another vehicle. I am not building something that needs to be safe enough to carry my family and friends. You also won't find me passed out in a bathroom stall and have to carry me to medical and send me home in order for me just to return to work the next day to do this all over again.

sharward

Is it possible to respect the rights of the property owner to make such a policy while also thinking it's a very bad idea?

What the company and union wanted to do is demonstrate and show a bit of favortism towards how many of its employees do drive the company's product, which is certainly their right and they're welcome to do that... Yet the unintended outcome of that move has been a nationwide spotlight that underscores the fact that some/many of its employees do not drive its product!

I really do see this issue from both sides... Yet in the end, I must say that I lean towards disagreeing with the policy -- not so much for the reasons many have stated here, but for the more pragmatic one of it having more unintended consequences that I believe outweigh whatever minimal benefits there might have been.

Even if the policy were reversed now, the damage has been done already. They may as well just let the policy stand and not fan the flame any more.

The most unfortunate thing is: If this story had broken, and the name of the manufacturer had been temporarily kept out of view, I think most people would have guessed it was one of the "big three," and probably would have narrowed it down to two (GM or Ford). I could be way off base on that... But I'm pretty sure I would have guessed right.

I just think the whole thing is sad, no matter what side of the issue one chooses.

Japan8

^^ THAT I agree with...

Japan8

OK.. thanks for playing.

No one tried to insult your intelligence. Just because you are choosing a narrow view/interpretation of what consitutes as an incentive doesn't make it not true.

It's funny... people forget what things they have that are benefits and privledges until they end up in a situation where they don't have them... and yes i am still talking about within the US. Go work for Washington Mutual Bank in downtown Seattle and drive to work each day. After having to pay for downtown parking for awhile, let's have this conversation again.

Raz0rama

If a perk or "reward" at a job is there from the beginning, removing that perk or reward at a later date does not make that perk or reward an incentive, rather, the fact that part of the experience of work for you has been diminished can be viewed logically as a penalty. While said perk or reward may not be a part of all jobs, if it was a part of your job, and is then taken away, it is a penalty. Thats as simply as I can put it. Moreover, making it selective based on what type of car you own is about as arbitrary a criteria you could choose. The type of car you drive has no bearing on your job performance, and could reflect something as simple as it being a gift from a family member when you did not have the funds to buy anything else, or the best value for money you could find for what you personally need.

While being told that you have to park 100 feet further away from your work every day may not be a big deal, it is the basic concept that is as un-american as communism.

Before taking any job, I'm sure most people evaluate many aspects of the job: is there a better job available to me? How far is the commute? do i have to pay for parking? How much am I being paid? Thus comparing working in downtown Seattle to working for a Big 3 assembly plant, is comparing apples to oranges. Sure they're both jobs, but at one its understood that parking is extremely limited, and the other has several large lots to park in. Suppose you worked in downtown seattle, and paid for parking every day, and one day the Central park accross the street from your job said they wouldn't park your vehicle any more for you, so you had to find street parking, and this decision was based on you driving a type of car that wasn't approved by your employer. Would you feel discriminated against?

bascho

You can find unfairness in every company in every industry. One person's unfair treatment is another person's special treatment.......and yes, that IS the AMERICAN WAY. I understand some people thinking this action is completely unfair or unethical.....but that is a really extreme response. Again, this is one assembly plant in one city in one state. The total # of people effected is less than 3,000, of which 98% already drive a Ford branded or Ford-family product. I could understand some of your outrage if this was all Ford facilities....but it's not.....and it's not going to be. If any other plant wanted to do this....believe me, they would have. Hopefully this thread goes the way of the RX7 and just dies soon. The complaints from people who don't even work for Ford and are not effected by this rule are laughable.

Japan8

Un-american? Communism? Yep... we are definitely in the days of McCarthy-ism again...

But it wasn't a perk or reward that existed. There is free company parking. You park where there is an open space. Only 20% of the cars can park there due to the number of spaces. If you get to work early or due to the timing of your shift you manage to get a space. Otherwise you park across the street. 9 times out of ten... you end up parking across the street. If you got lucky enough to park in the 20%, you lose it when you go out to lunch by car. On this alone, I don't see your point.

If my employer was an automaker I wouldn't. It's arbitrary when it's actually arbitrary... look it up... from websters: existing or coming about seemingly at random or by chance or as a capricious and unreasonable act of will . It's not at all by chance, unreasonable or random if the company's business is making cars.

Working in downtown Seattle and working in an assembly plant in BFE aren't exactly the same, but I wasn't just arguing about the assembly plant, but Ford as a whole... including the main corporate offices. That's quite a bit more "apples to apples"... wouldn't you say?

BaronVonBigmeat

Okay hypothetically, let's say I ride in a Ford to work, but what about the tow truck that's pulling it? What if it's a Chevy, can I still use the special parking lot?

Hey now, I'll have you know that they are simply trying to support american jobs by buying domestic beers and genuine Tenessee whiskey. Those who indulge in those uppity european liquors will have to get their buzz in the alleyway across the street before returning to work, Ford will not tolerate foreign liquor in their lunchroom.

Raz0rama

Good one!

Keef

Wow, another reason to hate Ford... Even when I wouldn't spend an iota of my time attempting to ever own one within the totality of my existence... What pieces of chit!

Seriously, for them to even have this problem, further more having to have this issue posted on CNNMoney only further proves that the childish issue's they deal with are more important too them than the pieces of **** they make... and this time I use an s...

If somebody bought a car based on what it was and instead of who made it, then they are the people you want working for you... Followers don't create knew idea's, they follow the old ones till they die like idiots...

Keef

hahaha

Japan8

Uh...


HOLY THREAD REVIVAL BATMAN!

DaveCM203

I hope they made concessions for the people who owned the car before they started working there.

Winfree

I could see making special benefit packages to workers - produce so many car without flaws the company supplies you with a new car - as you move up the ladder and have senority, the car gets, bigger and better - of they say this type of car is made for age bracket -X- the worker fits into that group and so it will advertise to his peers...A worker owned car is a living advertisement...and it really looks bad to have workers paid so low they can't afford the car!

Rootski

iTrader: (1)

A SUCCESS PLAN FOR FORD:

Pretend I'm Ford's new VP of Badassery Concering Domestic Brands (VP- BACDB)--

First, I agree with everyone who says update the logo. Keep the basic logo the same, just get a darker, pearlescent shade of blue and updated lettering.

Next, they don't need new designers, they need a shipping company. Get Europe and Australia on the line and get the damn Mondeo over here, and its ST220 brother, as well as the euro Focus (and it's ST model). Trash the Windstar or whatever the hell they call it now (freesomething) and replace it with the S-Max minivan. Get rid of that 500 shitwagon and replace it with the Aussia Falcon. Love or hate the Chrysler 300, you can't deny that they sell very well, and one of those Falcons with the Boss 260 engine is the answer to it. And I'd take a good hard look at the Falcon with the Barra 245XR6 Turbo I6 if I was looking to buy an Evo killer with comfort. They could even afford to trash the Crown Vic (official car of the ancient Phonecians) and revive the legendary Fairlane name with the car already being sold by that name down under. Now THAT'S luxury.

Third: revamp Mercury. Right now it's stagnant and listless, without an individual model to its name. Scrap the whole lineup, change the logo to something cool, and rebirth it as a sport lineup. Remember that Ford Reflex concept? It's the new Mercury Cougar now, bitches. Change only the grill and the badges, leave the rest, even the gullwing doors. Drop in the turbo Duratech 5 from the Aussia Focus XR5T. Rear-wheel drive only,please. Complement that with the British Focus Cabriolet, rebadged as a Sable. (Who's the ******* who decided not to sell that thing in America?) Get rid of the Grand Marquis, only people who are clinically dead drive them. Remember that new Fairlane? Give it that beautiful aluminum Jag V-8. It's the new Mercury Park Lane, and it better be good, because that baby's going up against Beemers, Lexuses, and Merc's. It needs to be just as good, but a couple grand cheaper than a low-end 5-Series or S-Class, and to keep it from pirating Jag's sales.

Keep pushing that hybrid Escape, some damn fools will buy it. But for those of us who aren't idiots and want to save on gas, we need the Fiesta. There, I said it. Bring over the little hatch from England with the 1.6L engine pushing 98hp. Go head-to-head with the Toyota Yaris.... that Fiesta will do 0-60 in a year but it'll do it at 42 miles to the gallon.

Now for Lincoln. Used to be, back in the time Bruce Springsteen sang about in "Born to Run," the biggest and most powerful cars were Lincolns. Well, it needs to happen again. Remember those concepts? I'm sick of these expensive brainstorms sitting around with nothing ever done with them. There's two I want to see coming out the door now... the MKR and the MK9. I want that new 3.5L Turbo V-6 for the MKR put into production (we're gonna need for the upcoming Cougar XL7). The MK9's V8 was a nice idea, but it put out less power than a Mustang's. Not good, and certainly not for sharing. There's a 5.0 liter AJ engine (from the same family of Jag engines that power the Aston Vantage and Land Rover) that's never been used in a road car. Good for 550bhp. Slap that sucker in there, and make it cost like a Merc E-Class AMG, only a little less. How's that for a "bold move"?

Oh, and we're bringing in some Mazda guys to do an engineering audit on all our chassis's, and some Aston guys to help with interior design.

---

Man, if I worked there, I would turn that place around in half a goddamn minute. Ford needs to hire me right now.