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View Full Version : FORD in Cleveland Done--Lordstown could be next?


Submariner
05-08-2007, 03:47 PM
Hello my Massillon Tiger friends!,

Watching the news with great interest in the Cleveland Ford plants closing, I have to wonder what future the Lordstown plant by Warren holds. Pulling the strings is GM-Detroit. No politician can stop them if they want to leave for Mexico or Asia to build cars that have a low profit margin. There is a car plant in Mexico with the same assembly line capability as Lordstown's new plant that secured the Cobalt, and Pontiac G5. GM has 5 new models to introduce and 8 plants vying for attention. 3 will not be back in business. Lordstown had 6,000 workers, now almost down to 2,000. Yes, I feel they have done it to themselves, but nevertheless, I do not want to see anyone lose their job! I think the UAW WILL be busted shortly, as they are taking away 2 positions that used to be UAW: Anchor Motor Freight--the guys who drive the new cars to the dealerships, and the janitorial staff. They get paid $28.00 an hour, they want non-union at $12.00 and do a better job-which will happen. That is for now. Looking to see what is coming next, because larger cuts are coming the unions way. If a company wants to move they will, they do not need to worry about a union. Toyota announced they wish to build another 10 large plants in the U.S. soon. Not to mention Nissan, and Honda. You can blame greed on many segments, corporate, and union. What I am most concerned about is the politicians for not having foresight to get other industries in here to stem the inevitable. Be pro-active not reactive! This is years in the making, look down the road PLEASE!!!:mad:

longtimefirsttime
05-08-2007, 03:54 PM
You can blame greed on many segments, corporate, and union. What I am most concerned about is the politicians for not having foresight to get other industries in here to stem the inevitable. Be pro-active not reactive! This is years in the making, look down the road PLEASE!!!:mad:

Unfortunately the horse may have already left the barn. I agree something should have been done years ago to even the trade imbalance. Couple that with things like corporate and union greed and you had a recipe for disaster.

DAWGH8R
05-08-2007, 04:04 PM
If Tim Bryan was MAYOR, he wouldn't let them close down !! :smartass:

Submariner
05-09-2007, 07:22 AM
Unfortunately the horse may have already left the barn. I agree something should have been done years ago to even the trade imbalance. Couple that with things like corporate and union greed and you had a recipe for disaster.

I agree! It just makes you furious, because common-sense seems to be lacking for a quicker pay-off. Maybe when the pendulum has swung far enough; and starts to come back to the center, we will see common-sense more frequently in our government officials on all levels. Until then, watch out! To me, it is at this time, (if I were a city official), I would entertain the Honda's etc. to come to my city to give my residents decent-paying careers.
I feel that a city should be like an individual investor: Do not put all your eggs in one basket. Diversify as much as possible. Keep an open ear to GM and help them stay in your community, meanwhile lure Honda or Kia or Nissan to your area for balance. Other non-automobile industries as well need to be lured in. Assign a group of think-tank type people for looking ahead for your city, while others in government take care of the day-to-day activities.

Grizzlies
05-09-2007, 09:06 AM
I hate to say it but Ohio has been dying for the past 20 years. Along with the Auto and Steel industries Banking has also left the region. It is sad to hear all of the stories of fellow Ohioan's that now live here in Phoenix AZ that moved here because of the lack of jobs in Ohio. Yea, Wal-Mart and McDonalds is hiring but is Bank One/Chase or Ford - the good paying jobs that you can have a career and retire from? NO! I blame that on the politicians.

Submariner
05-10-2007, 12:16 PM
I hate to say it but Ohio has been dying for the past 20 years. Along with the Auto and Steel industries Banking has also left the region. It is sad to hear all of the stories of fellow Ohioan's that now live here in Phoenix AZ that moved here because of the lack of jobs in Ohio. Yea, Wal-Mart and McDonalds is hiring but is Bank One/Chase or Ford - the good paying jobs that you can have a career and retire from? NO! I blame that on the politicians.


Not to mention the weather also plays a positive influence in Ohioans decision to move anywhere South and West. I have a cousin in Houston, Texas who is sending me her Sunday job add. I may not go to Houston, but Albuquerque or even Oregon sounds nice to me!

OTC TIGER
05-10-2007, 01:24 PM
or even Oregon sounds nice to me!

:treehugger: :alien:

Submariner
05-11-2007, 01:31 PM
:treehugger: :alien:

Thanks OTC Tiger! I am not a tree hugger, but like beautiful scenery, mixed in with suburbs more. The alien thing? If they take me, they will get a fight on their hands. I will not be second to the top on the food chain! Understand?!

bthart22
05-11-2007, 02:33 PM
I think one of the reasons Massillon Proud is such a popular site is that there many former Massillonians/Ohioians that would dearly love to be back in the Buckeye State, but left because of the employment situation. The argument can be made that the auto industry is just following the same regional downward spiral that occurred with the steel industry. Unfortunately, both died because they failed to foresee adopting the technology that would allow them to remain financially competitive, and the political leaders turned a blind eye to union influences that created runaway overhead expenses. Either way, it's another hit that the area can hardly afford to withstand. :sad2: