Meanwhile, politicians are looking at ways to soften the blow in their respective states. According to Reuters, Michigan Gov.
Jennifer Granholm is proposing that the state should provide tax relief to corporations. In Ohio, Gov. Bob Taft recommended a plan that would give auto companies $300 million of federally tax-free financing over two years.
"Recent troubles at Delphi Corp. and other automotive manufacturers and part suppliers in Ohio represent a grave threat to Ohio's economic vitality, and that's why our action plan is aimed squarely at revitalizing Ohio's automotive industry,'' Taft said in a statement obtained by Reuters.
Over at Ford the news was the same. Parent Ford Motor Co. is eliminating more white-collar jobs across North America early in the New Year. In a letter sent to employees, Ford announced that it will slash a further 4,000 jobs or 10 per cent of its salaried workforce.
Here
at home these cuts come on top of last year's closing of a blue oval assembly plant in Oakville. Ford also plans to shut down a casting operation and reduce work at another engine factory in Windsor over the next three years. Thus cutting over 1,100 jobs.
But some say expect more cuts. "I'm worried about Ford," Hargrove said at a press conference.
Industry insiders believe that Ford may hack more blue-collared production jobs. It is alleged that Ford's books are in worse financial shape than GM and cuts may be needed. As stated in the Toronto Star, Mike Jackson, a director at U.S.-based CSM Forecasting claims that "Ford must consider numerous factors on how to restructure and reconfigure its plants across the continent to become more flexible and efficient, like the Japanese-based automakers."
 |
| Ford Motor Co. will slash a further 4,000 jobs or 10 per cent of its salaried workforce in the New Year. (Photo: TrevorHofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
"Recent troubles at Delphi Corp. and other automotive manufacturers and part suppliers in Ohio represent a grave threat to Ohio's economic vitality, and that's why our action plan is aimed squarely at revitalizing Ohio's automotive industry,'' Taft said in a statement obtained by Reuters.
Over at Ford the news was the same. Parent Ford Motor Co. is eliminating more white-collar jobs across North America early in the New Year. In a letter sent to employees, Ford announced that it will slash a further 4,000 jobs or 10 per cent of its salaried workforce.
Here
 |
| Industry insiders believe that Ford may hack more blue-collared production jobs. (Photo: TrevorHofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
But some say expect more cuts. "I'm worried about Ford," Hargrove said at a press conference.
Industry insiders believe that Ford may hack more blue-collared production jobs. It is alleged that Ford's books are in worse financial shape than GM and cuts may be needed. As stated in the Toronto Star, Mike Jackson, a director at U.S.-based CSM Forecasting claims that "Ford must consider numerous factors on how to restructure and reconfigure its plants across the continent to become more flexible and efficient, like the Japanese-based automakers."