10 hours

[lap65]

Anyone know why we are only running 10 hrs every day for several weeks now?

[oh2ky]

I was just getting ready to text a friend on A-crew to see if we were still on 10's this week, but you've answered it for me. I haven't heard from anyone why they dropped back to 10, but I'm not complaining either.

[turbo350]

Line speed increase is getting the daily numbers that they need in 10. 10.7 on the schedule is in case something breaks. have to have certain amount of jobs off the end to make money

[lap65]

We didnt increase that much, supposedly we couldnt build enough before now its 10 or less everyday? Ill just throw out a couple wild ones for fun. 1. Gas prices down sales down. Supposedly gas staying down for the forseeable future. 2. Contract year. Signing bonus looks alot better on 40 hrs.

[lap65]

"If" we can build what we need in 10
… then we dont need 3 crews

[toddstang]

We only run 10.7 when the heat index is above 100.
Hearing vendors still can't keep up.

[ccrewdummie]

Maybe there is no new contract.

[w84me]

Hate to be a Debbie Downer but body is doing 11 today

[justaworker]

I'm not even going to pretend that my info or sources are any better than anybody else's. But I've been told that corporate just wants us on ten hours die to increase of line speed and suppliers ability to keep up. I would expect a few more weeks of this,then back to balls to the wall... Again, my opinions based on info I've received.

Another note, C-Crew has never existed because we can't hit our numbers with two crews. It exists because it allows for 1500 lower cost employees. We used to build more units with just two shifts.

[lap65]

Good points & probably right, I said I was just throwing that stuff out for fun & conversation. And yes body & sometimes paint are working longer. As for c crew I understand your point, but I have never understood the logic. Have 2 crews with mostly 1st tier & some 2nd tier vs 3 crews with an extra crew of mostly 2nd tier. When you can put out the same volume of vehicles I don't understand how that is saving money, Ford is paying them less, but they're still paying them. I have nothing against the 3rd crew & am not wishing they were gone necessarily, just dont see the logic.

[oh2ky]

If I ask 10 different people what the linespeed is I get 10 different numbers. Can anyone provide the actual number? I've heard 75 all the way to 85.

[w84me]

Jan 20, 2015 19:47:49 GMT -5 oh2ky said:

If I ask 10 different people what the linespeed is I get 10 different numbers. Can anyone provide the actual number? I've heard 75 all the way to 85.

On December 8 @ 1030am line speed was increased to 85.09 jph. At line 1 there is a control panel with a visible screen with cycle time and frequency. Maintenance can adjust really quick and easily.

[oh2ky]

Thank you sir!

[justaworker]

Jan 20, 2015 19:47:49 GMT -5 oh2ky said:

If I ask 10 different people what the linespeed is I get 10 different numbers. Can anyone provide the actual number? I've heard 75 all the way to 85.

Remember, there is bit one line speed. There are many different kinds of the plant, all running different speeds. The main number you will always hear, and the one that matters is flat top.

[ihatemyjob]

Jan 20, 2015 18:46:26 GMT -5 lap65 said:

Good points & probably right, I said I was just throwing that stuff out for fun & conversation. And yes body & sometimes paint are working longer. As for c crew I understand your point, but I have never understood the logic. Have 2 crews with mostly 1st tier & some 2nd tier vs 3 crews with an extra crew of mostly 2nd tier. When you can put out the same volume of vehicles I don't understand how that is saving money, Ford is paying them less, but they're still paying them. I have nothing against the 3rd crew & am not wishing they were gone necessarily, just dont see the logic.

Because running 2 shifts requires paying a minimum of 10hrs overtime per shift per week. It's cheaper to run 3 crews with little overtime vs 2 crews with tons of overtime.

[justaworker]

Jan 21, 2015 18:53:45 GMT -5 ihatemyjob said:

Jan 20, 2015 18:46:26 GMT -5 lap65 said:

Good points & probably right, I said I was just throwing that stuff out for fun & conversation. And yes body & sometimes paint are working longer. As for c crew I understand your point, but I have never understood the logic. Have 2 crews with mostly 1st tier & some 2nd tier vs 3 crews with an extra crew of mostly 2nd tier. When you can put out the same volume of vehicles I don't understand how that is saving money, Ford is paying them less, but they're still paying them. I have nothing against the 3rd crew & am not wishing they were gone necessarily, just dont see the logic.

Because running 2 shifts requires paying a minimum of 10hrs overtime per shift per week. It's cheaper to run 3 crews with little overtime vs 2 crews with tons of overtime.

its only cheaper if 1/3rd of the workforce has a much lower base rate of pay. if you and i are at equal pay, the difference between me workig on straight time and you working overtime is only half of our base rate. thats not much when compared to all the other labor costs associated with each one of us as employee. heck, my insurance alone was $21,000 last year. factor in vacations, social security, payroll taxes... when all else is equal its much cheaper to build these cars with fewer employees, even if it means substantial overtime.

[w84me]

Jan 21, 2015 22:09:21 GMT -5 justaworker said:

Jan 21, 2015 18:53:45 GMT -5 ihatemyjob said:

Because running 2 shifts requires paying a minimum of 10hrs overtime per shift per week. It's cheaper to run 3 crews with little overtime vs 2 crews with tons of overtime.

its only cheaper if 1/3rd of the workforce has a much lower base rate of pay. if you and i are at equal pay, the difference between me workig on straight time and you working overtime is only half of our base rate. thats not much when compared to all the other labor costs associated with each one of us as employee. heck, my insurance alone was $21,000 last year. factor in vacations, social security, payroll taxes... when all else is equal its much cheaper to build these cars with fewer employees, even if it means substantial overtime.

They might be taking the "HIT" now,but eventually will work in they're favor.

[comedian]

Jan 20, 2015 17:32:06 GMT -5 justaworker said:

I'm not even going to pretend that my info or sources are any better than anybody else's. But I've been told that corporate just wants us on ten hours die to increase of line speed and suppliers ability to keep up. I would expect a few more weeks of this,then back to balls to the wall... Again, my opinions based on info I've received.

Another note, C-Crew has never existed because we can't hit our numbers with two crews. It exists because it allows for 1500 lower cost employees. We used to build more units with just two shifts.

You got out more cause the line speed was faster and there were more people on the line. Plus the jobs had a lot less on them back then.

[justaworker]

We were also on tag relief then, which was an extra 60 minutes of production per shift. Back then we got 6 minutes per hour, not the 5 we get now. Line ran 82 jph when I hired in. I will check on how many employees we had , but I think it's roughly the same. Of course, we had the clean up jobs that voith does now.

[ccrewdummie]

What I have been told by most LAP legacy are that the platforms and most parts were the same so they were able to run at max speed plus the whole plant was tag relief with more employees. Now there are 2 totally different vehicles being made with a lot of different parts with no tag relief in most areas.

[justaworker]

Jan 22, 2015 15:25:50 GMT -5 ccrewdummie said:

What I have been told by most LAP legacy are that the platforms and most parts were the same so they were able to run at max speed plus the whole plant was tag relief with more employees. Now there are 2 totally different vehicles being made with a lot of different parts with no tag relief in most areas.

4 door Explorer and two door Explorer were two totally different vehicles. Sport trac was on same platform as two door Explorer, until about 2005 or so.... Alot of that stuff depends on what line and job you are on. Sometimes, it's all the same parts... Some times, it's none of the same parts.

[saugerman]

Jan 22, 2015 16:30:37 GMT -5 justaworker said:

Jan 22, 2015 15:25:50 GMT -5 ccrewdummie said:

What I have been told by most LAP legacy are that the platforms and most parts were the same so they were able to run at max speed plus the whole plant was tag relief with more employees. Now there are 2 totally different vehicles being made with a lot of different parts with no tag relief in most areas.

4 door Explorer and two door Explorer were two totally different vehicles. Sport trac was on same platform as two door Explorer, until about 2005 or so.... Alot of that stuff depends on what line and job you are on. Sometimes, it's all the same parts... Some times, it's none of the same parts.

aint that the truth

[ccrewdummie]

I wasn't here so I was just repeating what I was told because I have asked that same question. I'm glad to be here but I don't see how it is saving the company money. If what I was told was true then it would make more sense.

[Jr]

Try 91 Jph I think it was with 2 and 4 Door Explorer also a Mazda Navajo and Throw in a Ranger every 4 to 5 jobs. With Tag relief.

[lap65]

And…. The Mercury Mountaineer which had many parts different than the Explorer

[ccrewdummie]

Well then they don't need us. I guess I better be prepared

[justaworker]

Jan 23, 2015 15:01:47 GMT -5 ccrewdummie said:

Well then they don't need us. I guess I better be prepared

Quite the opposite, they need lower wage workers in order to be labor cost competitive with the foreign transplant automakers. Your job is safe, enjoy happy times.

[blackbird66]

Jan 23, 2015 16:56:58 GMT -5 justaworker said:

Jan 23, 2015 15:01:47 GMT -5 ccrewdummie said:

Well then they don't need us. I guess I better be prepared

Quite the opposite, they need lower wage workers in order to be labor cost competitive with the foreign transplant automakers. Your job is safe, enjoy happy times.

Second tier is industry wide. Mexico union agreed to lower second tier as soon as we did in exchange for production of the fiesta. Second tier there makes just over $2 an hour. All the jap plants in the US added second tier after the UAW shoved it down our throats.

If we get a raise, non union plants get a raise. If we take a pay cut, non Union plants take a pay cut.

It's been that way my whole life.

[wildcats34]

F_ _ _ the union for going along with this two tier shit. We all could make $35-40 an hour and the company still make money. One wage! Whether we come up or legacy go down. If two tier is helping out so much how about legacy workers sacrifice the same as us two tier.

[Deleted]

Jan 23, 2015 20:54:11 GMT -5 blackbird66 said:

Jan 23, 2015 16:56:58 GMT -5 justaworker said:

Quite the opposite, they need lower wage workers in order to be labor cost competitive with the foreign transplant automakers. Your job is safe, enjoy happy times.

Second tier is industry wide. Mexico union agreed to lower second tier as soon as we did in exchange for production of the fiesta. Second tier there makes just over $2 an hour. All the jap plants in the US added second tier after the UAW shoved it down our throats.

If we get a raise, non union plants get a raise. If we take a pay cut, non Union plants take a pay cut.

It's been that way my whole life.

I believe Toyota assemblers are ahead of us wage wise/ tier 1.

They have been getting the same if not better benefits than us lately as well.

I have a cousin that works there and only see him on family reunions and we trade horror stories. Over the past few years the Ford/UAW horror stories are now far worse then his jap crap horror stories.

Our leadership needs to get its shit together!