Ford plant shutdown plans.

[XRtowcar]

Ford have started planning to shut down the Broadmeadows plant according to
a story from Drive.
http://www.drive.com.au/motor-news/f...14-gq5nzh.html
Seems they will try to keep it low key, but think it will be difficult due to media interest.

[malazn mafia]

Hardest thing to watch . Ironic they say they will have a 'party'. What is there to celebrate ? Anyone hold a farewell party for the departing of their loved ones?

[P6LTD351]

Originally Posted by malazn mafia

Hardest thing to watch . Ironic they say they will have a 'party'. What is there to celebrate ? Anyone hold a farewell party for the departing of their loved ones?

It's called a wake.

[Windsor220]

Originally Posted by malazn mafia

Hardest thing to watch . Ironic they say they will have a 'party'. What is there to celebrate ? Anyone hold a farewell party for the departing of their loved ones?

It's no different to when someone leaves their job and the company puts on drinks.

[Pepscobra]

It will be a sad day, no doubt.
Reading that article I feel FoA are managing this difficult process as best as can be expected.
Local manufacturing is a victim of changing times, I don't think anyone can dispute that anymore.

[roddy1960]

G'day all.....Really , really sad...I wish there was something all us Ford fans could do on October 7th to commemorate approaching 90 years of manufacturing in this country and 56 years of Falcon..I know I'll make sure both my Falcons are driven on that Friday...We ought to call it Blue Oval Friday maybe..Anyone got any ideas ?...Cheers Rod..

[stoodoo]

Would be keen on being involved in a falcon drive by or some sort of thing?????? Could you imagine a line of falcons stretching for kilometres past the Broadmeadows/Geelong plants.

[OzriderXR8]

I'm think that's what Ford is trying to avoid on the day it closes.

I would love to see an organised drive from say Broadmeadows to Geelong following the last Falcon off the assembly line.

Straight off the line, out the door and onto Sydney Rd, media would lap it up, I'd be there for sure.

[GO FURTHER]

I also noted the following in the article...
"Public tours of the Broadmeadows factory will also cease to be offered months ahead of the final date"

Might be worthwhile doing a tour before it closes?

[vztrt]

Of course they would start planning to shut down the plant. There would be plenty of work involved.

[SSD-85]

Good to see FA not wanting a media circus.

A private get-together with Broadmeadows & Geelong workmates.

Don't think a company could get more honourable than that in this difficult time.

[DASTIG]

Originally Posted by BAXRSIX

I also noted the following in the article...
"Public tours of the Broadmeadows factory will also cease to be offered months ahead of the final date"

Might be worthwhile doing a tour before it closes?

If u get a chance do it!!! Had a great time doing a tour with 20 others. Purchased it at a charity auction.

[MrEL]

Better then average chance that the workers wont even be required to be at the factory on the final day.
There will most likely be a volunteer system for whoever wants to be in any publicity shots.
Cant blame any of them either.
There will be workers more then ready to go and be happy , and workers who will feel their world has crumbled.
Why have the people who are feeling it be put through the circus the media and members of the public will make it?
Until you have been through a redundancy process you don't know what its like.
Ive been through one and it sucks. I was more then willing to go , was really looking forward to it , the nine months it took for it to be processed all while going to work each day , keeping you nose clean so they couldn't stitch you up to loose entitlements , and for it all to be business as usual for it to ultimately mean nothing was both physically and mentally tiring.
My wife went through exactly the same thing and same feelings.
Nine months sucked for me , I cant imagine what the 3+ years these people have had to put up with would be like.
I actually was off on sick leave my last month with depression. My send off was an email and a phone call , drive into the depot , hand my tools and uniform in , and off to head office to hand in security keys and passes.
That was it.
I must say the burnout I dropped leaving the depot for the last time was pretty sweet and the one I did in head offices driveway , once my pay was safely in my account was a pretty sweet feeling.

[Vesper Martini]

Originally Posted by BAXRSIX

I also noted the following in the article...
"Public tours of the Broadmeadows factory will also cease to be offered months ahead of the final date"

Might be worthwhile doing a tour before it closes?

Yes don't expect to see anything if you turn up on the final day

[DASTIG]

Common all Ford supporters in Melbourne and surrounds get down to the factory in that last week. Line up your cars and give the workers a loud applause and and long hoot on the horns. Give these workers a big smile on their face and make them proud on delivering the many cars over the years that we have all loved to own and drive.

I won't be at work on that final Friday, watching Bathurst at home. I can guarantee there will be a tear at some stage on the day as I appreciate the joys that I have had owning a Ford motor vehicle so far and into the future. Fingers crossed I get my Sprint delivered during that week.

[GTMOND]

How about a symbolic drive by from FORDS and HOLDENS, then ditto when Holden closes.��

[PaulXR50]

Goes without saying will be a sad day. To know we no longer will be able to update our beloved Falcons (beloved then why update - i get the irony).
The point is will be a sad day.

We will be for ever wondering what future falcons would of been like / looked like. Not to mention where the power limits would of stopped (as in max kw).

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by DASTIG

Common all Ford supporters in Melbourne and surrounds get down to the factory in that last week. Line up your cars and give the workers a loud applause and and long hoot on the horns. Give these workers a big smile on their face and make them proud on delivering the many cars over the years that we have all loved to own and drive.

I won't be at work on that final Friday, watching Bathurst at home. I can guarantee there will be a tear at some stage on the day as I appreciate the joys that I have had owning a Ford motor vehicle so far and into the future. Fingers crossed I get my Sprint delivered during that week.

How about not. Last thing they would want is to have a spotlight shined on them. Which is exactly what Ford are trying to avoid.

[FTE217]

I'm so hoping people keep away - its just not going to end up as orderly as people would expect. Stay away. Let this go in peace.

[FERG_51]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

How about not. Last thing they would want is to have a spotlight shined on them. Which is exactly what Ford are trying to avoid.

Fair enough. Respect for the workers, I couldn't imagine how they are feeling now as the end is in sight.

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by FERG_51

Fair enough. Respect for the workers, I couldn't imagine how they are feeling now as the end is in sight.

To be blunt, they have 3+ years to prepare for this moment.

There are many places out there that don't provide this lead time. Only last week our organisation did the annual cut and another 200 jobs went (500 last year), no warning. More and more are doing it (blue and white collar).

[MrEL]

Originally Posted by Wretched

To be blunt, they have 3+ years to prepare for this moment.

There are many places out there that don't provide this lead time. Only last week our organisation did the annual cut and another 200 jobs went (500 last year), no warning. More and more are doing it (blue and white collar).

3+ years would make it worse.
Its not called being able to prepare its called dwelling on it and walking on egg shells.
Ive had 2 redundancies in my time.

The first one was called into the office from site at lunch. Was told we have no more work at the moment , do you have all your tools with you because your finished now. We will give you an extra months pay.
That was it.

The second one dragged out over 9 months. It was physically and mentally tiring. I was relieved but destroyed when it was all over.

The first one was much better. I was out the door with my entitlements and an extra months pay and saying it sucked.
But I was able to focus the next day once the hangover cleared on getting another job straight away.
I knew where I was , what I was doing and what I needed.
I had a task that needed to be done and I could just get on with it.
There was no being left hanging wondering about the future.

[Crazy Dazz]

I was really hoping there would be some organised activities around this.
I was hoping to load up my two sons in a Ford and make the pilgrimage across the Nullarbor.
Now it seems few people can be bothered?

I know we've had a long time to prepare, that doesn't make this any less significant.

[Fordman1]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

How about not. Last thing they would want is to have a spotlight shined on them. Which is exactly what Ford are trying to avoid.

This.

Stay away and dont make it into a Circus.

The Company will put an event on for the Employees, that way they'll be with people they know and respect.

[MrEL]

Originally Posted by Crazy Dazz

I was really hoping there would be some organised activities around this.
I was hoping to load up my two sons in a Ford and make the pilgrimage across the Nullarbor.
Now it seems few people can be bothered?

I know we've had a long time to prepare, that doesn't make this any less significant.

Cant be bothered? No.
Its called respect for the people loosing their jobs for Christs sake.
Maybe if all the tossers who are wanting that everyone drive to Ford and make a joyous occasion on peoples potential misery had of actually opened their wallets up and bought a new Falcon regularly , this event wouldn't even need to be celebrated as it wouldn't be happening. Ford would be getting ready for a new model release for the public to buy up , instead of shutting up shop.
But no people didn't buy the product brand new and feel they are now owed something as the plant shutsdown?
Give me a break.

Ford has already done the send off celebrations for the public.
They are called the GTF and the Sprint.

Now let the workers finish their time in peace and with dignity.

[DFB FGXR6]

The sentiment is right, and people want to show their gratitude towards the people that helped make all of the wonderful Fords that we love.

However, all I can say is put yourself in the workers shoes. The day will be a sad affair for many, then throw in a expected heavy media presence sticking a camera in the faces all the while knowing within a few hours that they will be jobless. The last thing that's needed would be a group of onlookers in their cars.

As I said the sentiment is noble but I'm sure the workers know how the Ford faithful feel.

[Crazy Dazz]

Wow, some people have a really twisted view of the world.
Have to wonder at what is driving the vitriol and venom?

For starters, I'm talking about celebrating 55+ years of the Falcon, and acknowledging the passing of something that has been important to large number of people.
If you can't understand the significance of that, that's your problem. Don't go taking out your shallow vacuousness on others.
And please don't try cloaking your lack of empathy in feigned sympathy for the workers.

Nobody is talking about gate-crashing private Ford functions for their workers.
A gathering of Falcon lovers doesn't even have to be on the precise day, it could easily take place after the factory has shut down, and the workers have said their goodbyes.

Workers could then choose whether or not to return and/or participate.

[MrEL]

Originally Posted by Crazy Dazz

Wow, some people have a really twisted view of the world.
Have to wonder at what is driving the vitriol and venom?

For starters, I'm talking about celebrating 55+ years of the Falcon, and acknowledging the passing of something that has been important to large number of people.
If you can't understand the significance of that, that's your problem. Don't go taking out your shallow vacuousness on others.
And please don't try cloaking your lack of empathy in feigned sympathy for the workers.

Nobody is talking about gate-crashing private Ford functions for their workers.
A gathering of Falcon lovers doesn't even have to be on the precise day, it could easily take place after the factory has shut down, and the workers have said their goodbyes.

Feigned sympathy for the workers?
Where is it feigned? Some of us normal people look at the facts and consider peoples livelihoods as more important then a car.
How about instead of swinging you spacebar like a light sabor being an internet hero , you actually start organising a celebration of the Falcon event once the factory has shut instead of complaining about it?

[Crazy Dazz]

Originally Posted by MrEL

How about instead of swinging you spacebar like a light sabor being an internet hero ,

Pot, meet Kettle.

Maybe you should take a good hard look in the mirror chum.

I KNOW where my passion comes from.

What I can't understand is the source of your bitterness and vitriol?

[MrEL]

My passion comes from many years of busting knuckles underneath some of Henrys finest piles of crap at 3am in winter building them up.
Im just over hearing everyone ***** about there being no more Falcons. They easy solution to stop the day from coming was buy them but very few did in the end and now they want to complain.
I tried to buy brand new but Ford wouldnt supply what i wanted so it didnt happen.
Do i love my Fords. Definately. Do i consider the well being of people that would be going through a tough time wondering how they will keep their family fed and housed once they are unemployed more important then a bloody car? Most definately.
Put yourself in their shoes. Would you want to walk out to a circus on your last day of stable life and first day of the unknown?