São Paulo gov’t to seek buyer for Ford plant
After a meeting with Ford CEO for South America Lyle Watters this morning (Feb. 21), São Paulo state Governor João Doria announced his administration will seek a buyer for the plant slated to be shut down in the municipality of São Bernardo do Campo. The move aims to preserve jobs at the unit, which employs thousands of workers.
“It was a long and hard meeting, but the government of São Paulo will seek a buyer for this plant for the preservation of the industrial complex and the jobs,” he added.
Since the shutdown will not take place immediately, but over the course of 2019, Doria said, the government will seize the opportunity provided by this time span to helpfind Ford a buyer. “There is no immediate concern for Ford workers over the loss of jobs. They’ll keep work normally. And the government will help Ford find a buyer to take over the industrial park, even if it may be with another brand,” the governor said.
Doria went on to note that Ford guaranteed that the other branches in the state, like the plant in Tatuapé (1.6 thousand workers) and the headquarters in Tatuí (270), as well as that of Barueri (170), will not be affected. Ford’s administrative center in São Bernardo do Campo will also be preserved.
The meeting was held at the Bandeirantes Palace, seat of São Paulo’s government. Also in attendance was Ford vice-President for Government, Communication, and Strategy in South America Rogelio Golfarb.
The mayor of São Bernardo said he was surprised by the news of the close-down, and said the move would cause a significant impact on the city’s finances.
Workers
No representative was invited to take part in the assembly from among workers. In a video, Wagner Santana, head of the metal workers’ trade union criticized the government and Ford for not inviting workers for the gathering.
“An invitation was not sent because it was not the moment for having the trade union participate in the meeting. But it will be at the right moment. We left the meeting with a positive feeling. Now we have a better scenario, but reassuring. They will be invited for the talks in the right time,” the governor said.
