chicot60
09-16-2011, 10:33 AM
http://storage.canoe.ca/v1/dynamic_resize/sws_path/suns-prod-images/1316120800229_ORIGINAL.jpg?quality=80&size=650x
The last Crown Victoria comes off the line at Ford St. Thomas on Thursday. After the final vehicle was assembled, many workers gathered at nearby bars and restaurants for a wake of sorts
NORMAN DE BONO
TALBOTVILLE, Ont. - It started early.
More than 600 workers left their homes before 6 a.m., driving to Ford's St. Thomas assembly plant.
Some stopped for breakfast at The Flying M next door-- a tradition.
They began this last day Thursday as they had so many before it -- with diner food and coffee, lots of coffee.
Then they filed into the plant on Hwy. 4 before the shift started at 7 a.m., only a few hours left in its last day.
Some were scheduled to work, others were retirees who came for the last day. And others who were not supposed to work showed up anyway, just to see some history and say goodbye.
"I felt funny yesterday when I left work, but I just went home and when I came back today I thought 'Oh my God, this is really the end', " said Denise Knutson, who worked in the paint shop for 11 years.
"I wanted to see for myself that there are no more cars. It was very emotional."
The assembly line needed only about 300 workers on this, its last day, but more than double that were on site watching the final white Crown Victoria roll down the line, ending at about 11:30 a.m.
"I saw my boss of 11 years crying, a full-grown man crying. The paint manager was crying. They were not ready to go. They are sad, because everyone takes pride in their work. We were like a family here."
Many of the workers signed the frame and underbody of the last car, although it will not be apparent to whomever buys it.
Then many headed to bars and restaurants in the area for their version of a wake.
"I got up at 5 a.m., had a quick coffee and was out the door, just like I used to everyday," said Fred Martellotti, who worked at the plant 30 years before retiring in 2007.
"My old supervisor shook my hand and was crying. It is a sad, empty feeling, to see the plant so empty. There no other cars, no one in other areas. I have never seen that before. It was a sick feeling. It was eery, like a ghost town."
Martellotti and Knutson were among a group of friends who gathered at the Wayside Inn in Talbotville after production ended.
"The first time I walked in I thought it was massive, a huge plant, and it was so clean," said Rick Hamm, who has 43 years' seniority, beginning work three weeks after the plant opened.
"There have been a lot of changes -- robots and technology -- that made it easier. I remember when in the body shop they used to have to sand by hand -- that was a tough job. But I have met a lot of men and women who are wonderful people, such good friends and a good work environment. I always liked coming to work, doing my job."
Since Aug. 31, cars made at the plant had to be shipped overseas because they didn't comply with new crash standards for sale in North America for the 2012 model year.
And that last car is headed to the Middle East, the workers said.
Outside the plant, standing in the parking lot in the early morning rain, Simon Jacco lifted his small camera to take a photograph of the workers' entrance to the plant, the entrance he walked through for 37 years.
"It is sad, very sad," said Jacco, who retired in 2007. "I just wanted to be here for the last time. This place paid my bills, put my kids through college. It was great. I feel lucky I was here, but I feel for these guys who are out of work. They have a good package, but they do not have a job."
http://www.torontosun.com/2011/09/16/ontario-ford-plant-closure-brings-tears
The last Crown Victoria comes off the line at Ford St. Thomas on Thursday. After the final vehicle was assembled, many workers gathered at nearby bars and restaurants for a wake of sorts
NORMAN DE BONO
TALBOTVILLE, Ont. - It started early.
More than 600 workers left their homes before 6 a.m., driving to Ford's St. Thomas assembly plant.
Some stopped for breakfast at The Flying M next door-- a tradition.
They began this last day Thursday as they had so many before it -- with diner food and coffee, lots of coffee.
Then they filed into the plant on Hwy. 4 before the shift started at 7 a.m., only a few hours left in its last day.
Some were scheduled to work, others were retirees who came for the last day. And others who were not supposed to work showed up anyway, just to see some history and say goodbye.
"I felt funny yesterday when I left work, but I just went home and when I came back today I thought 'Oh my God, this is really the end', " said Denise Knutson, who worked in the paint shop for 11 years.
"I wanted to see for myself that there are no more cars. It was very emotional."
The assembly line needed only about 300 workers on this, its last day, but more than double that were on site watching the final white Crown Victoria roll down the line, ending at about 11:30 a.m.
"I saw my boss of 11 years crying, a full-grown man crying. The paint manager was crying. They were not ready to go. They are sad, because everyone takes pride in their work. We were like a family here."
Many of the workers signed the frame and underbody of the last car, although it will not be apparent to whomever buys it.
Then many headed to bars and restaurants in the area for their version of a wake.
"I got up at 5 a.m., had a quick coffee and was out the door, just like I used to everyday," said Fred Martellotti, who worked at the plant 30 years before retiring in 2007.
"My old supervisor shook my hand and was crying. It is a sad, empty feeling, to see the plant so empty. There no other cars, no one in other areas. I have never seen that before. It was a sick feeling. It was eery, like a ghost town."
Martellotti and Knutson were among a group of friends who gathered at the Wayside Inn in Talbotville after production ended.
"The first time I walked in I thought it was massive, a huge plant, and it was so clean," said Rick Hamm, who has 43 years' seniority, beginning work three weeks after the plant opened.
"There have been a lot of changes -- robots and technology -- that made it easier. I remember when in the body shop they used to have to sand by hand -- that was a tough job. But I have met a lot of men and women who are wonderful people, such good friends and a good work environment. I always liked coming to work, doing my job."
Since Aug. 31, cars made at the plant had to be shipped overseas because they didn't comply with new crash standards for sale in North America for the 2012 model year.
And that last car is headed to the Middle East, the workers said.
Outside the plant, standing in the parking lot in the early morning rain, Simon Jacco lifted his small camera to take a photograph of the workers' entrance to the plant, the entrance he walked through for 37 years.
"It is sad, very sad," said Jacco, who retired in 2007. "I just wanted to be here for the last time. This place paid my bills, put my kids through college. It was great. I feel lucky I was here, but I feel for these guys who are out of work. They have a good package, but they do not have a job."
http://www.torontosun.com/2011/09/16/ontario-ford-plant-closure-brings-tears