By Doug Cunningham

Ford is slashing up to 30,000 jobs and closing 14 plants by 2012, another body blow to autoworkers. In Minnesota a plant in St. Paul that had been threatened appears to have been spared. UAW Local 879 President Rob McKenzie says this economic devastation is directly linked to U.S. trade and economic policies.

[Rob McKenzie] : "Unfortunately this is another day in the continuing story of the destruction of the American middle class. Our view is that if we don’t do something about health care costs and trade policy, we’re going to see many more days like this."

Benjamin Gross is a worker at the St. Paul plant.

[Benjamin Gross] : "Pay off your credit cards, get out of debt. If you want to do anything that's going to take some financial thing your job is looking solid now. If you're thinking about it this is the time, if you have older kids, to help them buy a house or get your name on the line because it still looks good."

Jim Eagle, Building Chairman at the plant, describes the mood at the St, Paul Ford plant.

[Jim Eagle] : "There’s still a weariness, but a relief."

Ford has lost market share for ten straight years as non-union foreign auto makers have flooded the U.S. market. There are barriers that make it difficult for U.S. companies to compete in Japan. Len Hinkle, with UAW Local 879's Health and Safety committee, has an idea that might help keep the St. Paul plant open and increase Ford's market share.

[Len Hinkle] :"A green plant in a green state and a green corporation. If you just add a green product the alignments are there. Primarily focused on either flex fuel or a clean diesel. And then perhaps we move toward a hybrid configuration of some sort, But those two would be the bridge."