Thursday, March 9, 2006
Contact: Spence Jackson or Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Focus on the Workers as the Ford Hazelwood Plant Idles
Following is a joint statement from Gov. Matt Blunt, St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley and Hazelwood Mayor T.R. Carr about Ford Motor Company’s idling of its production at the Hazelwood plant:
“The Ford Hazelwood plant will complete its scheduled operations tomorrow and be placed in “idle status” in accordance with Ford’s January 23rd restructuring plans. This plant and its workers have been a very important economic asset in St. Louis and a strong anchor in the region’s manufacturing community for more than 55 years. We are extremely proud of the dedicated men and women, who despite many setbacks and an uncertain future, built vehicles in the global marketplace of the highest quality. Adding to this achievement, the workers attained this world class standard while making Hazelwood one of the most cost efficient and productive plants in Ford’s system.
“As these dedicated individuals and their families begin this transition, our community is prepared to support them. Federal, state and local agencies are already engaged in this critical process with a wide range of dislocated worker assistance programs and services. We are working cooperatively together and with the Ford Motor Company to make this transition as smooth as possible, support those needing help, and assist those seeking a career change to find new employment. The Ford Hazelwood workers are an extremely important asset to the region’s economic future, and we are committed to doing everything we can to keep them in the St. Louis region.”
###