On January 23, Ford announced a new restructuring plan for its North American operations, which includes the closure of 14 plants and the loss of 30,000 jobs by 2012. It will cut its production by 26% of current capacity by 2008. Ford also plans to reduce its managerial staff by 12% in April. The restructure comes after Ford lost US$1.6 billion on its North American operations, down $3 billion on 2004. However it still made $2 billion profit globally. The announcement of the restructuring plan follows Ford’s shedding of 35,000 jobs internationally in 2002. The current contract between the United Auto Workers and Ford includes clauses giving UAW members the right to vote on any plant closures or layoffs.

From Green Left Weekly, February 1, 2006.
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