Toyota Lays Off 200 Temp Workers at Tundra Plant

[FenwickHockey65]

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/18/t...-tundra-plant/

The full-size pickup truck woes continue to worsen, leaving even mighty Toyota little choice but to slow production of its Tundra model. In fact, Toyota's brand new plant in San Antonio that was built just for the Tundra will be shutting down a total of 14 days between now and October. Full-time workers at the plant will be able to use vacation days, take the time off unpaid or find something else at the plant to do while the assembly line is halted.

Unfortunately, temp-to-hire workers aren't so lucky. Two-hundred employees who were hoping to land full-time positions at the plant will be laid off this summer. Toyota spokesman Mike Goss says, "We have a very long-term view of that factory in Texas. We're trying not to overreact. We're trying not to shut it down." Whoa... back up. Shut it down? We hadn't heard any such thing until it was spoken by Goss. Sounds like things are just as bad for Toyotas with beds as they are for pickups from Detroit.

Pssst...Lordstown Assembly is hiring...come to the good side, temp workers.

[Butz]

Good, less Turds on the road
I feel sorry for the temps, or that what they were, TEMPS!

[likearock00]

Sorry to hear see that even more Americans are losing jobs because of the economy and oil crisis. Hopefully they'll find something soon.

Toyota really screwed the pooch on the new Tundra. It just goes to show you how quickly times can change with our economy!

[Greg Burr]

Let's see this posted in some major newspapers.

[jorgesalazar521@msn.com]

wow no strike!!! come on gm/ford cant even shut down for a break without the union wantting some sort of compensation. yes i understand at one point in time the union was needed--not anymore. If you cant secure a consumer u cant secure jobs.

[eurohazard]

Originally Posted by Greg Burr

Let's see this posted in some major newspapers.

It might, and probably will.......but it's not exactly front page material. With no disrespect to those who were laid off.....200 people is a long way off of 1,000's that some factories have had to let go. It's sad though really.

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by jorgesalazar521@msn.com

wow no strike!!! come on gm/ford cant even shut down for a break without the union wantting some sort of compensation. yes i understand at one point in time the union was needed--not anymore. If you cant secure a consumer u cant secure jobs.

Does that crapyota plant even have a union?

[ericmvest]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

Does that crapyota plant even have a union?

No it does not. The NUMMI joint venture in Freemont, California is unionized by the UAW and Toyota Auto Body TABC) in Long Beach, California is unionized by the Teamsters.

[member12]

They were temporary....not that big of a deal. It wouldn't make the news if GM did the same thing.

They are lucky that they live in Texas. I'm not worried about those 200 people not finding jobs...there's plenty around that region. Even during this slowdown, Texas's economy is doing pretty well.

[Saturn69]

Originally Posted by likearock00

Sorry to hear see that even more Americans are losing jobs because of the economy and oil crisis. Hopefully they'll find something soon.

Toyota really screwed the pooch on the new Tundra. It just goes to show you how quickly times can change with our economy!

What oil crisis? During the 70's we had an oil crisis when gas was rationed, what we have now is just the reality of paying what it's worth.

[K-1]

Originally Posted by eurohazard

It might, and probably will.......but it's not exactly front page material. With no disrespect to those who were laid off.....200 people is a long way off of 1,000's that some factories have had to let go. It's sad though really.

I bet those 200 people vehemently disagree with you. Toyota's raking in billions in profit, yet they're losing their jobs.

[GAIntrigue]

Originally Posted by K-1

I bet those 200 people vehemently disagree with you. Toyota's raking in billions in profit, yet they're losing their jobs.

Good point, but most Americans are used to living in a real world of downsizing, outsourcing, job eliminations, pay-based-on-performance, and all kinds of rough treatment in the name of efficiency and profit making. The new day in the workforce dawned yesterday. The big three and the UAW seem to be living in the distant past. A company that cannot evolve into a sleek, efficient machine will ultimately find itself extinct. Toyota is just doing what makes business sense. Other companies seem to have their hands tied.

[eurohazard]

Originally Posted by K-1

I bet those 200 people vehemently disagree with you. Toyota's raking in billions in profit, yet they're losing their jobs.

I stand by what I said......"With no disrespect to those who were laid off...". Anyway temp work is just that, "temporary" work. Do I wish those guys could keep their jobs? Of course....don't try to paint me as the devil. Why don't you buy a Tundra and help those guys keep their jobs?

lol

[camaro_freak]

Originally Posted by Saturn69

What oil crisis? During the 70's we had an oil crisis when gas was rationed, what we have now is just the reality of paying what it's worth.

correction.. what gas is worth to speculators coupled with rampant rumors that help spin the story you are supposed to believe....

[PhishPhood]

Originally Posted by camaro_freak

correction.. what gas is worth to speculators coupled with rampant rumors that help spin the story you are supposed to believe....

Sorry that a HUGE error of misperception. What Saturn69 said was exactly correct because you and I validated the risk that the speculators and others took. When you went to the pump this week and filled up you told the producers and speculators that 'Yep, you were right I will pay the higher price at the pump. It is worth it to me to keep my vehicle filled.'

In fact you did pay what it was worth to you. For others now they are not paying the price. They are doing something different like not buying any fuel at all or walking or taking mass transit or biking or staying at home. For them the price today is not worth it. As long as there are buyers willing to pay whatever the pump price is then by definition that is the correct market price. No one held a gun to your head ( or mine ) and said 'BUY!!'. That was your free choice, because it was worth it to you ( and to me ).

That's basic economics. A product is only worth what the buyer is willing to pay for it.