Veteran exec tapped to head plant closure talks with UAW
By Mark Truby / The Detroit News
Thursday, February 13, 2003
CHICAGO -- Ford Motor Co. is expected today to announce a new point man for its crucial contract negotiations this summer with the United Auto Workers.
Dennis Cirbes, a veteran Ford labor relations official, will be promoted to vice president in charge of Ford's labor relations, according to people familiar with the decision. Cirbes, now the vice president for corporate labor affairs, will effectively replace Shamel T. Rushwin as Ford's chief negotiator for the upcoming labor talks.
The announcement is expected as Ford's board of directors meets today in Dearborn.
Rushwin will move from his position as vice president of North America Business Operations and Ford's top labor relations executive to a special assignment, sources told The Detroit News. Rushwin, who left DaimlerChrysler AG to join Ford in March 1999, is expected to retire in the next year or so. Rushwin was an appointee of former Ford CEO Jacques Nasser, who was dismissed in 2001.
Cirbes will assume an important position as Ford seeks to close five plants in North America by mid-decade. Ford last year announced its intention to close the factories -- including assembly plants in St. Louis, Mo., and Edison, N.J. -- but must finalize the closures during the UAW contract talks this summer.
By Mark Truby / The Detroit News
Thursday, February 13, 2003
CHICAGO -- Ford Motor Co. is expected today to announce a new point man for its crucial contract negotiations this summer with the United Auto Workers.
Dennis Cirbes, a veteran Ford labor relations official, will be promoted to vice president in charge of Ford's labor relations, according to people familiar with the decision. Cirbes, now the vice president for corporate labor affairs, will effectively replace Shamel T. Rushwin as Ford's chief negotiator for the upcoming labor talks.
The announcement is expected as Ford's board of directors meets today in Dearborn.
Rushwin will move from his position as vice president of North America Business Operations and Ford's top labor relations executive to a special assignment, sources told The Detroit News. Rushwin, who left DaimlerChrysler AG to join Ford in March 1999, is expected to retire in the next year or so. Rushwin was an appointee of former Ford CEO Jacques Nasser, who was dismissed in 2001.
Cirbes will assume an important position as Ford seeks to close five plants in North America by mid-decade. Ford last year announced its intention to close the factories -- including assembly plants in St. Louis, Mo., and Edison, N.J. -- but must finalize the closures during the UAW contract talks this summer.