Ford begins to dismiss salaried workers

Ford Motor Co. has begun dismissing salaried workers as part of an effort to shed 15% of its salaried-related costs by Aug. 1 in the face of a toughening U.S. economy.

The struggling market has resulted in an 11.2% sales decline for the automaker, with a disproportionate amount of the decline, 14%, hitting the company’s profitable truck lineup.

As the Free Press reported last week, the company started the dismissals earlier this month, when it eliminated more than 200 contract employees. Another round of contract-employee cuts is expected on Thursday.

Ford spokesman Mark Truby today confirmed that the dismissals have now spread to Ford’s regular white-collar workforce.