Events Calendar
In This Section
Hospital connects to patients online
AutoZone to replace Blockbuster in West Akron
Gains in financials, material stocks lift market
Jobless claims indicate economy remains weak
Citigroup shuffles executives, former CFO leaving
GM, Chrysler fight reopening of closed dealerships
YRC, Teamsters reach tentative deal on concessions
Most Read Stories
Akron police investigate teen mob attack on family
Woman, 75, charged with beating fawn to death
Akron woman found dead at Brimfield Township store
Man shot outside his Akron home during robbery attempt
Man shot in back near Akron park
Suspect sought in Portage Path bar robbery
Tragic day puts man on path to be Pinnacle owner
Blogs:
Pets:
Dogs' Bark: Not fair! Study shows pups get jealous
The Heldenfiles:
Who Will Get the Michael Media Treatment Next?
Patrick McManamon:
More on Varejao
Akron Zips:
Opponent outlook: Kent State
Browns Bulletin:
Quick thought on Browns rookies
Tribe Matters:
Wedge challenges relievers
Cleveland Browns:
Stallworth test showed marijuana
Kent State Sports:
Men's Basketball Scheduling update
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Andy’s Signed According to ESPN
All Da King's Men:
Does Medicare Have Lower Administrative Costs ?
Blog of Mass Destruction:
CIA Did Mislead Congress
Akron Law Café:
Breaking Story: CIA Lied to Congress about Secret Program
Varsity Letters:
East basketball update
See Jane Style:
Oh Baby!
Car Chase:
Where do We Go from Here?
Let's Talk Real Estate:
Closings….Not the Good Kind!
Ohio Travels with Betty:
Margy inquires-when is a Taste of Hudson?
Sound Check:
LeVert II live performance Saturday night — "Dedication" album due July 13,
HRLite House:
DDI One of Best Places to Work
Akron Gamer:
First 24 'Guitar Hero 5' songs announced
By Tom Krisher
Associated Press
POSTED: 01:22 p.m. EDT, Apr 24, 2008
DEARBORN, MICH.: Ford Motor Co.'s latest buyout and early retirement offers were accepted by 4,200 hourly workers, or just over half the total the company was said to be aiming for raising the possibility of layoffs.
The figure released Thursday, showing that about 8 percent of the 54,000 United Auto Workers employees who were offered the deal took it, means Ford could offer more packages to workers at selected factories.
CEO Alan Mulally said on a conference call Thursday that the company would keep working with unions to further reduce the hourly work force at closed factories or those affected by production cuts. He also would not rule out layoffs at some facilities.
''That's clearly a possibility, but right now our plan is not to do that,'' he said.
Ford hasn't said how many workers it wanted to leave, but a person with knowledge of the company's goals told The Associated Press earlier this year that the company was hoping for a minimum of 8,000 workers as it tries to shrink its factory capacity to match lower demand for its products. The person didn't want to be identified because the target number wasn't officially released.
The company announced Thursday that it would cut second-quarter production in North America by 101,000 vehicles from the same period last year.
Chief Financial Officer Don Leclair said the figure is 20,000 less than the company's previous guidance and includes 40,000 fewer trucks, partly offset by increased car production.
Mulally said further plant closures are unlikely, and the company would cut production by removing shifts, most likely at plants that make larger vehicles.
''So clearly, that is an area that will need our special attention to match that capacity to the demand,'' he said.
He would not talk about the potential for more reductions in the salaried work force.
Ford offered 10 buyout or early retirement packages to blue-collar workers and earlier said this was expected to be the last companywide offer.
The deadline for employees to make a decision was in March, with many torn between passing up a deal or staying on as Ford downsizes and its finances improve. They also could lose their jobs if the company falters.
In 2006, about 33,600 workers left the company by taking similar packages.
Workers could get $50,000 to $140,000 depending on seniority. Some of the packages pay for education or help people start their own businesses. Ford has made the offers to all hourly employees represented by the UAW.
Ford shares were flat at $7.52 in morning trading.
DEARBORN, MICH.: Ford Motor Co.'s latest buyout and early retirement offers were accepted by 4,200 hourly workers, or just over half the total the company was said to be aiming for raising the possibility of layoffs.
The figure released Thursday, showing that about 8 percent of the 54,000 United Auto Workers employees who were offered the deal took it, means Ford could offer more packages to workers at selected factories.
CEO Alan Mulally said on a conference call Thursday that the company would keep working with unions to further reduce the hourly work force at closed factories or those affected by production cuts. He also would not rule out layoffs at some facilities.
''That's clearly a possibility, but right now our plan is not to do that,'' he said.
Ford hasn't said how many workers it wanted to leave, but a person with knowledge of the company's goals told The Associated Press earlier this year that the company was hoping for a minimum of 8,000 workers as it tries to shrink its factory capacity to match lower demand for its products. The person didn't want to be identified because the target number wasn't officially released.
The company announced Thursday that it would cut second-quarter production in North America by 101,000 vehicles from the same period last year.
Chief Financial Officer Don Leclair said the figure is 20,000 less than the company's previous guidance and includes 40,000 fewer trucks, partly offset by increased car production.
Mulally said further plant closures are unlikely, and the company would cut production by removing shifts, most likely at plants that make larger vehicles.
''So clearly, that is an area that will need our special attention to match that capacity to the demand,'' he said.
He would not talk about the potential for more reductions in the salaried work force.
Ford offered 10 buyout or early retirement packages to blue-collar workers and earlier said this was expected to be the last companywide offer.
The deadline for employees to make a decision was in March, with many torn between passing up a deal or staying on as Ford downsizes and its finances improve. They also could lose their jobs if the company falters.
In 2006, about 33,600 workers left the company by taking similar packages.
Workers could get $50,000 to $140,000 depending on seniority. Some of the packages pay for education or help people start their own businesses. Ford has made the offers to all hourly employees represented by the UAW.
Ford shares were flat at $7.52 in morning trading.

