where proposed legislation would require the company to maintain the facility so it could be used for other manufacturing.
Legislation authored by state Sen. Richard Cohen, who represents the Highland Park neighborhood where the plant is located, was introduced Thursday in the state Senate. He said Rep. Carlos Mariani, another DFLer from St. Paul, is introducing a companion bill in the state House.
The legislation requires Ford Motor Co. to "maintain the plant and related facilities in a saleable condition for at least five years" after operations end. Ford has said it will cease production of Ranger pickup trucks in 2008. Already, one shift has been shut down and nearly half of the approximately 2,000 employees have been laid off.
The company has spurned attempts by UAW Local 879 and local officials to discuss alternative uses of the plant, which is unique because it draws its power totally from a hydroelectric plant on the nearby Mississippi River. Cohen said his legislation was borne of a sense of frustration.
"The UAW members who work at this plant have been treated quite shabbily by the company," he said. "Whatever respect I\'ve had for this company has been lost as this process unfolds."
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| Flanked by UAW Local 879 members, state Senator Richard Cohen addresses a news conference at the union hall. |
The bill is similar to one adopted in 2001 when LTV mining closed its Iron Range operation.
Keeping the Ford plant "in saleable condition" would require a skeleton crew of workers to operate the hydroelectric plant and a boiler and maintain the exterior of the facility, said Bob Killeen, Local 879 financial secretary.
According to news reports, Ford currently is in talks to sell the hydroelectric plant. Cohen said the Legislature is prepared to act quickly on his proposal. No hearings have been set yet, he said, but he expects final action within two months.
Local 879 Health and Safety Director Lynn Hinkle has spearheaded the union\'s attempt to find out other manufacturers that could take over the Ford plant. He said the union had made contact with potential buyers but could not provide details.
He said the process of forcing Ford to sell the plant to a manufacturer – as opposed to tearing it down and selling the land to developers – will be difficult. But "there are incredible opportunities," he added.
Use of the plant to produce, for example, wind turbines, would provide a huge spur to "green" manufacturing throughout the state, Hinkle said.
Noted Killeen, "Even though a new manufacturer may not employ members of Local 879, we are committed to maintaining good manufacturing jobs in the city of St. Paul."
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where proposed legislation would require the company to maintain the facility so it could be used for other manufacturing.
Legislation authored by state Sen. Richard Cohen, who represents the Highland Park neighborhood where the plant is located, was introduced Thursday in the state Senate. He said Rep. Carlos Mariani, another DFLer from St. Paul, is introducing a companion bill in the state House.
The legislation requires Ford Motor Co. to "maintain the plant and related facilities in a saleable condition for at least five years" after operations end. Ford has said it will cease production of Ranger pickup trucks in 2008. Already, one shift has been shut down and nearly half of the approximately 2,000 employees have been laid off.
The company has spurned attempts by UAW Local 879 and local officials to discuss alternative uses of the plant, which is unique because it draws its power totally from a hydroelectric plant on the nearby Mississippi River. Cohen said his legislation was borne of a sense of frustration.
"The UAW members who work at this plant have been treated quite shabbily by the company," he said. "Whatever respect I\’ve had for this company has been lost as this process unfolds."
|
| Flanked by UAW Local 879 members, state Senator Richard Cohen addresses a news conference at the union hall. |
The bill is similar to one adopted in 2001 when LTV mining closed its Iron Range operation.
Keeping the Ford plant "in saleable condition" would require a skeleton crew of workers to operate the hydroelectric plant and a boiler and maintain the exterior of the facility, said Bob Killeen, Local 879 financial secretary.
According to news reports, Ford currently is in talks to sell the hydroelectric plant. Cohen said the Legislature is prepared to act quickly on his proposal. No hearings have been set yet, he said, but he expects final action within two months.
Local 879 Health and Safety Director Lynn Hinkle has spearheaded the union\’s attempt to find out other manufacturers that could take over the Ford plant. He said the union had made contact with potential buyers but could not provide details.
He said the process of forcing Ford to sell the plant to a manufacturer – as opposed to tearing it down and selling the land to developers – will be difficult. But "there are incredible opportunities," he added.
Use of the plant to produce, for example, wind turbines, would provide a huge spur to "green" manufacturing throughout the state, Hinkle said.
Noted Killeen, "Even though a new manufacturer may not employ members of Local 879, we are committed to maintaining good manufacturing jobs in the city of St. Paul."