US:Is Ford's parting gift to ex-workers 'cruel joke'? - Ford Forums

Stacy94PGT · 06-11-2006, 10:08

Is Ford's parting gift to ex-workers 'cruel joke'?

Bryce G. Hoffman / The Detroit News

Michael Stawasz may not be receiving his full pension from Ford Motor Co., but at least the company is offering him a nice parting gift.

Stawasz, 49, was one of about 4,000 salaried workers who lost their jobs at Ford last January as part of the company's latest round of downsizing.

The transmission engineering technician was fired nine months from his 30-year anniversary, a milestone that would have allowed him to retire with full benefits.

Along with about two dozen of his former colleagues, Stawasz is suing Ford, accusing the company of age discrimination and firing him to avoid paying him full benefits.

So it was with some surprise that Stawasz unwrapped a package he received from Ford earlier this month. Inside he found a certificate recognizing his 30 years of service to Ford and a letter from Chairman and CEO Bill Ford Jr.

"Dear Fellow Employee," it began. "Congratulations on reaching a milestone anniversary with Ford …"

Stawasz was elated. His first thought was that it had all just been a big mistake, and he would get to retire with all the benefits he had been counting on for so long.

The box also contained a set of plastic rings for Stawasz to try on so that he could pick the appropriate size for his celebratory band. And there was a catalog from which he was instructed to pick an appropriate gift.

For a man who had spent the past five months looking for work and worrying about his future, it seemed too good to be true.

That's when Stawasz realized it probably was.

He called his attorney and found out that some of the other fired workers suing Ford had received similar anniversary packages.

Stawasz would not be retiring with full benefits. He'll still have to wait more than a decade to receive his reduced pension.

"It was like another slap in the face," Stawasz said.

Ford says the anniversary package was meant to honor Stawasz and the other defendants, not insult them.

"People who may be in this situation had dedicated a lot of years to the company and, in accordance with company policy, they are eligible to receive an award in recognition for their service," said Ford spokeswoman Marcey Evans.

Royal Oak attorney Michael Pitt, who is representing Stawasz and other plaintiffs, called the anniversary gift a "cruel joke."

In the lawsuit, Pitt contends that his clients were fired precisely because they were close to their 30th anniversaries, arguing that they would have been eligible to begin receiving benefits immediately if they retired after reaching that milestone.