From United Press International
DETROIT — Ford Motor Co. reportedly plans to eliminate up to 1,000 salaried, white-collar employees from its U.S. workforce in a new round of cost-cutting.
The Detroit News said it obtained e-mail copies of internal Ford communications indicating the No. 2 automaker will initiate a new round of buyouts and early retirement packages for salaried workers this month.
Layoffs among the 32,000 salaried employees in the United States are a possibility if enough workers do not leave voluntarily. Ford has a white-collar workforce of more than 45,000 worldwide.
If we can’t entice enough employees to accept offers “we may have to resort to involuntary separations,” Greg Smith, executive vice president and president of Ford Americas operation, said in a memo obtained by the newspaper.
Smith said the automaker faces serious challenges including increased competition, reduced sales and higher costs.
Ford hopes to complete its white-collar downsizing before the end of June.
Copyright 2005 United Press International. All Rights Reserved.
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