Scudamore Posted 8 November, 2008 Share Posted 8 November, 2008 But why should we bail out Ford - an American owned company? They don't need bailing out...it's not a question of bailing them out... Ford have more than enough money to continue production here... I invite you to actually bother reading the link at the top of the page however...which you have obviously chosen to ignore because it's much easier to wind people up on here whose livelihood actually depends on this stuff... "The production of the iconic SWB Transit Van, described as the "Backbone of Britain", from being off-shored to Turkey with further loss of UK manufacturing jobs. The Southampton Transit Plant is a significant contributor to the local economy, the Treasury and through it's exports, the UK's Balance of Trade" A significant contributor to the local economy...the "local" in question being Southampton...you know the one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mole Posted 8 November, 2008 Share Posted 8 November, 2008 They don't need bailing out...it's not a question of bailing them out... Ford have more than enough money to continue production here... I invite you to actually bother reading the link at the top of the page however...which you have obviously chosen to ignore because it's much easier to wind people up on here whose livelihood actually depends on this stuff... "The production of the iconic SWB Transit Van, described as the "Backbone of Britain", from being off-shored to Turkey with further loss of UK manufacturing jobs. The Southampton Transit Plant is a significant contributor to the local economy, the Treasury and through it's exports, the UK's Balance of Trade" A significant contributor to the local economy...the "local" in question being Southampton...you know the one? I'm a capitalist and believe in letting the markets sort themselves out. The last thing this country needs now is more socialist meddling. It's because of Browns socialist policies that Britain is the worst placed industrialised nation to weather the current economic storm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EastleighSoulBoy Posted 8 November, 2008 Author Share Posted 8 November, 2008 I'm a capitalist and believe in letting the markets sort themselves out. The last thing this country needs now is more socialist meddling. It's because of Browns socialist policies that Britain is the worst placed industrialised nation to weather the current economic storm. Don't make me laugh! Successive Governments have eroded Engineering in this country. It was the backbone of Britain and key to it's manufacturing sector. The dilution of skills by providing NVQs and no more full apprenticeships has left a vere lowly populated skill base in Britain. Successive Governments have encouraged foreign ownership of key utility industries. Electricity, gas, Nuclear power, Water many are foreign owned because the government could rake in billions by selling them. Who own many of the train companies now? foreign companies. Investment by private companies, in training and equipment has been pared to the bone to provide more share dividends. Where does it end up? Low wages attract low interest and lack of supervision. how long before another rail accident because of lack of proper maintenance. If Ford pul out of Southampton what will happen to the people employed by Ford. What about those who work in small businesses that supply Ford. the baker who supplies the rolls each day? What about money no longer being spent in local shops? What about those who cannot or will not find further employment? They'll not be paying council tax, they'll be claiming benefits like free uniforms and meals for their children. Meanwhile you capitalists think about where you made your money. On the back of the working man. when that's gone all you'll have is your short selling to make money. Now look where that's got us! You have really thought this out. Troll! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mole Posted 8 November, 2008 Share Posted 8 November, 2008 (edited) You have really thought this out. Troll! So not only are you a football hooligan, but a commie to boot. At least if Ford shuts you'll have more time for handing out Socialist Worker party fliers. Edited 8 November, 2008 by Mole Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robsk II Posted 8 November, 2008 Share Posted 8 November, 2008 Capitalism unfettered is a system that only serves to facilitate boom and bust, and the widening of the gap between rich and poor. It has advantages for overall quality of life if a nation is well behind, but it also leads directly to globalisation and increased hegemony of cultural artefacts etc. It was capitalism considered only in the short to medium term that left this country ****ed for engineering, production etc - there was a reason for it, and much though I despise Thatcher, it was sensible and accurate to shift the economy towards a high-tech high-value stance - but she went too far, and now we are paying the price for not having better foresight and more common sense. It's the right wingers who hate having immigrants "take their jobs" and so on, but if there is a gap in the economy that has led to a situation where there are more, often better, production workers from elsewhere - and dramatically cheaper manufacturing etc elsewhere (which there clearly is) - it was capitalism in the first place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldNick Posted 8 November, 2008 Share Posted 8 November, 2008 It's the right wingers who hate having immigrants "take their jobs" and so on, .I dont think that is fair, many people resent immigrants taking their jobs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EastleighSoulBoy Posted 8 November, 2008 Author Share Posted 8 November, 2008 So not only are you a football hooligan, but a commie to boot. At least if Ford shuts you'll have more time for handing out Socialist Worker party fliers. Where on earth do you get that idea? I am most definitely a socialist but not as left leaning as to be communist. As to football hooligan? I have seen a few things happen in my time and would be disingenuous to deny that as a youth I ran around chasing other fans or being chased. At least I'm not a racist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exit2 Posted 8 November, 2008 Share Posted 8 November, 2008 Lets stop the petty handbags chaps please. As for Fords, I have a few mates who work there and have to say although it is a pity it will be shutting and a real shame people will be out of work. But I was at a fireworks do last night and a discussion broke out about fords. Some of the guys that work there said if the unions were not so demading things might have been different now. I have heard before that employees doing normal unskilled labour could be earning £45k a year with forced overtime rights? Also heard that guys who move the transits from one side of the compound to the other at weekends were getting £37 an hour! This and other factors is surely one of the major reasons that it is now viable to run the factory here? But I do agree with others, Southampton has lost far too many big companies, but Im afraid it is the economics of the world at the moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EastleighSoulBoy Posted 8 November, 2008 Author Share Posted 8 November, 2008 Lets stop the petty handbags chaps please. As for Fords, I have a few mates who work there and have to say although it is a pity it will be shutting and a real shame people will be out of work. But I was at a fireworks do last night and a discussion broke out about fords. Some of the guys that work there said if the unions were not so demading things might have been different now. I have heard before that employees doing normal unskilled labour could be earning £45k a year with forced overtime rights? Also heard that guys who move the transits from one side of the compound to the other at weekends were getting £37 an hour! This and other factors is surely one of the major reasons that it is now viable to run the factory here? But I do agree with others, Southampton has lost far too many big companies, but Im afraid it is the economics of the world at the moment. I can't recall the name of the previous thread or poster, but the bold bit was stated then, almost word for word. So could it be that someone read that thread and is repeating it? The best day for earning is a Sunday (double time) The highest (hourly paid) rate in the plant is for a skilled man with Group Leader allowance, Electronics allowance and Multi Skill Allowance. Without his shift premium that pays him about £15.00 an hour. I'll not be exact but it's a high end example. So on a Sunday this Skilled man could, in effect earn £30.00 an hour. Still with me? They don't let the skilled men drive the vehicles, you have to be Ford approved to move the vehicles. It's the guys a pay grade or two below maintenance who do this job. As to the £37.00 an hour? Someone is being a little extravagant when they tell you that. Sorry to put a less flamboyant slant on things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scudamore Posted 8 November, 2008 Share Posted 8 November, 2008 Also heard that guys who move the transits from one side of the compound to the other at weekends were getting £37 an hour! I'm obviously in the wrong line of work... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scudamore Posted 8 November, 2008 Share Posted 8 November, 2008 As to the £37.00 an hour? Someone is being a little extravagant when they tell you that. I'm still in the wrong line of work... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Totton Red Posted 27 November, 2008 Share Posted 27 November, 2008 Capitalism unfettered is a system that only serves to facilitate boom and bust, and the widening of the gap between rich and poor. It has advantages for overall quality of life if a nation is well behind, but it also leads directly to globalisation and increased hegemony of cultural artefacts etc. It was capitalism considered only in the short to medium term that left this country ****ed for engineering, production etc - there was a reason for it, and much though I despise Thatcher, it was sensible and accurate to shift the economy towards a high-tech high-value stance - but she went too far, and now we are paying the price for not having better foresight and more common sense. It's the right wingers who hate having immigrants "take their jobs" and so on, but if there is a gap in the economy that has led to a situation where there are more, often better, production workers from elsewhere - and dramatically cheaper manufacturing etc elsewhere (which there clearly is) - it was capitalism in the first place. Capitalism is based on free markets and is ultimately controlled by government regulation! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Totton Red Posted 27 November, 2008 Share Posted 27 November, 2008 Don't make me laugh! Successive Governments have eroded Engineering in this country. It was the backbone of Britain and key to it's manufacturing sector. The dilution of skills by providing NVQs and no more full apprenticeships has left a vere lowly populated skill base in Britain. Successive Governments have encouraged foreign ownership of key utility industries. Electricity, gas, Nuclear power, Water many are foreign owned because the government could rake in billions by selling them. Who own many of the train companies now? foreign companies. Investment by private companies, in training and equipment has been pared to the bone to provide more share dividends. Where does it end up? Low wages attract low interest and lack of supervision. how long before another rail accident because of lack of proper maintenance. If Ford pul out of Southampton what will happen to the people employed by Ford. What about those who work in small businesses that supply Ford. the baker who supplies the rolls each day? What about money no longer being spent in local shops? What about those who cannot or will not find further employment? They'll not be paying council tax, they'll be claiming benefits like free uniforms and meals for their children. Meanwhile you capitalists think about where you made your money. On the back of the working man. when that's gone all you'll have is your short selling to make money. Now look where that's got us! You have really thought this out. Troll! Really sad but Ford in Southamton is the equivalent of coal mines in South Yorkshire in the early eighties. The end is nigh and often a recession will exaccabate change. It will be a massive blow for the local economy and I doubt that the indecisive, bumbling council have organized a response Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EastleighSoulBoy Posted 27 November, 2008 Author Share Posted 27 November, 2008 Really sad but Ford in Southamton is the equivalent of coal mines in South Yorkshire in the early eighties. The end is nigh and often a recession will exaccabate change. It will be a massive blow for the local economy and I doubt that the indecisive, bumbling council have organized a response There was a meeting at the Civic Centre yesterday. This was attended by activists of all sorts including a Transit full of Ford employees from Swansea who came to show their support. One Conservative councilor who attended stated to one of the lads that he supported keeping the plant open but he wouldn't enter into any discussions with the people who had attended to lobby the meeting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Totton Red Posted 27 November, 2008 Share Posted 27 November, 2008 There was a meeting at the Civic Centre yesterday. This was attended by activists of all sorts including a Transit full of Ford employees from Swansea who came to show their support. One Conservative councilor who attended stated to one of the lads that he supported keeping the plant open but he wouldn't enter into any discussions with the people who had attended to lobby the meeting! The process of redundancy has already started with 'the consultation period'. Lets discuss how we can improve productivity, lower costs and keep the plant open. It is a slow and painful process based on a thousand meetings that will follow official guidelines and avoid the legal nightmare of tribunals. I back the support from afar but you need a more strategic plan than relying on fellow commrades. Learn a lesson from the eighties rather than copy it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TijuanaTim Posted 19 January, 2009 Share Posted 19 January, 2009 Most of you are well aware that I am employed at the Ford plant in Southampton. Currently the future of the plant is under review and there is a distinct fear that Ford will close the plant. If they do so it will mean that Ford no longer assemble ANY vehicle in this country! A petition has been raised for submittal to the P.M. in which we ask for the Government to talk to F.M.C. about investment and regeneration of the Southampton Assembly Plant. If you feel so inclined please do click on the link to sign the online petition. http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Save-The-Transit/ Thanks in anticipation of your support[/QUOT No Trannie Vans FFS, how are we gonna get the boys back from the Millwall game to get up the Rank for the Birds'n'Bees FFS? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EastleighSoulBoy Posted 24 March, 2009 Author Share Posted 24 March, 2009 The Government's response, or rather 'prevarication', on the Petition to save the Transit can be read here . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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