Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, SUVs, Trucks/Pickups, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Nissan
Nissan offering buyouts to Tennessee workers
Following up Nissan's first set of U.S. buyout packages offered a year ago, employees at both the Smyrna and Decherd powertrain plants in Tennessee will be offered a lump sum payout along with medical and car purchase benefits to leave. Last year, the buyouts attracted 775 workers, though the payout at that time was just $45k plus an additional $500 for each year of service. This time, the lump sum starts at a heady $100k. Not surprisingly, Nissan is expecting more people to take the package this year than last. In fact, Nissan spokesman Fred Standish says that "market realities" mean that the Japanese automaker needs to shed some 1,200 excess employees. The packages are open for a three-year window, with the greatest sum being offered for workers who accept the packages this year. The Smyrna plant assembles the Frontier pickup, Altima, Xterra, Maxima and Pathfinder. Our bet is that the sedans will continue production as normal with the trucks and SUVs accounting for the lowered head count.[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Gary Lowe 5:49PM (7/30/2008)
Maybe they should just move their Corporate Headquarters and manufacturing facilities again. Detroit would be a fine choice, I'm sure they would get at least 3,000 resignation even without the $100,000.
Do anything BUT build a decent car
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Brian 5:53PM (7/30/2008)
Having lived in the greater Nashville area for a while it would be wise to no take a buyout. Jobs are hard to come by there. When you do land a job somewhere else their pay scale is well below the national average. TN is a cheap best place to live money wise,(no state income and low property taxes) but their is another price to pay in the form of low paying jobs.
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elprogramer 9:52PM (7/30/2008)
Reminds me of the Prisoner's Dilemma. If enough people don't take the buyout, that means layoffs and/or firings.
652059 11:20PM (7/30/2008)
Granted that a lot of the employees at these plants have done nothing but build Nissans since high school, some of them may have limited marketable skills to transition, but I think Nissan is offering enough time and money to allow at least time to get a quick technical degree if not finish up college for those that had started.
I worked in Systems Maintenance through a contractor at Decherd up until last fall when I migrated myself to AL and took a job more suited to my IT background, so I know a lot of the guys affected by this. A good friend from high school that has been at Decherd's Nissan plant for several years called me this afternoon as soon as his shift ended to tell me about it. I think he'll probably take the buy out and finish up his degree, but some of these guys are making 50-60k or more as line workers -- that can be hard to match in middle TN even as a professional, much less a blue collar job. Time to move to Nashville or Huntsville for a lot of them I think. Overall the buyout offer is more than fair and much more lucrative than the one previously offered while I was still at the plant.
BlackCanary 9:40PM (7/30/2008)
I would take the buyout even if I only had a few years of service. I would take the 100K and go get an MBA full time.
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bernie 11:04PM (7/30/2008)
Gary Lowe, what on earth are you talking about? The move to Tennessee has been very profitable and the Altima was Consumer Reports' best family seadn, beating Accord, Camry and Malibu hands down. Murano defined an entire segment, is known for build quality and has been imitated by dozens on car companies.
Then there's the GT-R, giant killer at a bargain price. Every vehicle made in the Smyrna plant has better initial quality than the class average.
So, your point, other than to whine at Nissan, was?
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Tai 11:57PM (7/30/2008)
The Murano and GTR are made in Japan bud.
brn 8:52AM (7/31/2008)
"Murano defined an entire segment"
You really need to stop believing everything you see in a Nissan commercial. Crossovers existed DECADES before the Murano.
Polly Prissy Pants 8:35AM (7/31/2008)
Dang unions, they're ruining everything. Wish I could get paid not to work, etc, etc, etc.
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Chevy-Man 11:52AM (7/31/2008)
Polly,
When you wish to get paid not to work, etc, etc, etc, 1st:Are you thinking that all Auto Plants are Union? P.S.
Union plants is what this country was founded on. (When the car Industry began) Before U.S.A. started Importing so much Stuff. 2nd:Nissan in Smyrna & Dechard Are Non-Union Plants. 3rd:We work very hard for our money there at Nissan.We are trained to build a good quality vehicle. 4th:Do you have a problem with A Person wanting to join with there fellow co-workers to have Bargaining Rights in there work place?This is still America We do have rights!!That is what a Union is all about.Do you have the same belief that you should have a voice in the product (or what ever your job demands of you) a person produces in there job that is required of them , and What your Employer is doing with Your Money that you invest in 401k's& Retirement Plans. 5th:This Buy-Out is Sparked (in my Opinion)because of (The War)(the Price of Gas) Etc. Etc. Etc.
On a Positve Note:I enjoy Building cars that I see on the road in passing.And I am looking foward to see the Electric Car Build at Smyrna.
Polly Prissy Pants 12:15PM (7/31/2008)
I see my attempt at sarcasm has failed...
E from da' ville 10:36AM (9/24/2008)
Nissan has made a big mistake by making its employees liabilities instead of assets. They are simply trying to stop paying benefits to its workers by replacing them with lower paid temporary workers. This plan has already backfired because the temp workers quit as quick as they are hired. This company will lose more than its share of skilled workers who have been very loyal to Nissan. Temp workers quit because they have no hope of fulltime employment with benefits and the work is very hard. Nissan employees have become very disgrunteld with management since Carlos Ghosn has become CEO. Don't worry VW hear we come
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