Monday, May 18, 2009

The Chrysler Plant in Kenosha is Shutting Down.

Tom's Journal.
http://tomschuckmanjournal.blogspot.com/
tschuckman@aol.com

Well, in this case [if it's really true--and they get good health Ins. coverage...] my friends that are still working there in the KEP - Kenosha Engine Plant will get a good deal... I hope. But there always seems to be some 'catch' or strings attached, so we shall see. Like I said before, the Union shouted from the house tops how great and wonderful Mr. Obama would be for us, the USA and the whole world, their personal Savior, etc. Brothers, I hope you are satisfied with 'the change.'
As for me, IMNO, the man is evil when he takes MY tax dollars to promote and facilitate ABORTION in the USA and the rest of the world. He trashes our Constitution and the 1st and 2nd Amendments and also promotes perversions like Sodomy, etc. That's the way I see things on May 11th, 2009.

I finally got to shampoo my Rottweiler hound outside in the sunny breeze and he smells a lot better and his coat is so shiny! Woo Woo!

Sharon just called to tell me that the staff and doctor said that they intend to transfer her to a Rehab facility closer to our home tomorrow-- but that REALLY translates into a "maybe"... and maybe she will be there for 2 weeks. Now I need to get somebody with a rototiller to work up our garden so I can plant my super tomatoes and cukes, etc. I will do that by myself, no sweat. And who knows, I may picket with my old buddies [ in my power scooter] at the Chrysler plant in Kenosha at 5PM today, even though it won't do any good... lol, but it will be fun to see old friends again.

Have a nice day!

Tom

Kenosha Factory Workers Get Retirement, Buyout Offers

DETROIT (AP) -- Chrysler LLC has expanded early retirement and buyout offers for workers at six of the eight factories that it plans to close as part of its bankruptcy restructuring, including the Kenosha Chrysler plant.

In some cases the offers are better than the ones currently on the table for all of Chrysler's roughly 26,000 hourly workers. All the offers expire on May 26 with workers expected to leave the company the following day.

Under the old offers, workers would get a $75,000 cash buyout and a $25,000 voucher to buy a car to leave the company. Workers eligible for early retirement can get $50,000 and a $25,000 car voucher.

Chrysler spokeswoman Dianna Gutierrez said the new offers add a $115,000 lump-sum payment for workers with more than 10 years of seniority who chose to leave the company. They also come with 12 months of health care. The early retirement age also was reduced from 55 to 50, she said.

At two factories, St. Louis North and South, workers within two years of retirement eligibility on the dates their plants close would be placed on leave of absence with 85 percent of their pay until they are eligible for retirement.

In addition to the St. Louis plants, the offers apply to the Conner Avenue plant in Detroit; the Kenosha, Wis., engine factory; the Twinsburg, Ohio, parts stamping plant and the Sterling Heights, Mich., assembly plant.

The two other plants identified for closure, Detroit Axle and Newark, Del., assembly, will not get the enhanced offers. Detroit Axle employees are being offered transfers to a new factory being built near Port Huron, Mich., while Newark is already closed.

The company said in a statement that funds have been set aside to make sure workers will be paid the retirement and buyout incentives.

Chrysler is operating in Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and is trying to reduce its manufacturing footprint to match lower sales. The eight plants were identified as part of the bankruptcy court filing on April 30.

The company has received $5.8 billion in U.S. government loans and could get more to get in and out of bankruptcy. It plans to shed assets, debt and contracts during bankruptcy to become more competitive, with Fiat Group SpA taking over the company's good assets.