What happened to all the workers????

[onewilyfool]

When Guild left Westerly, went to Corona, then on to Tacoma now on to Conn., How many of the original Westerly workers went. Are there all new workers in Conn. factory? Are any of the original workers around? It's like when Gibson moved out of Kalamazoo......a group of workers formed Heritage guitars.....what happened to the Westerly workers????

 

[dogberry]

I've often wondered the same thing about the folks who used to work at the Tacoma Guitar plant here in T-town, making Tacomas and later Guilds.

Dog

 

[West R Lee]

A few of the guys from Westerly are members here. I'd start naming them, but I'd be afraid I leave one out. We could ask "Hideglue" or "Workedinwesterly" though, they might know a few of the folks that worked there :wink: .

West

 

[chazmo]

I know we've had that discussion before. Unfortunately, I can't for the life of me remember the explicit answer. In the move west and now the move east, I think we're talking less than a handful, if anyone. But, I'm speaking out of turn since I honestly don't remember what was said.

 

[hideglue]

The same happened to the Hoboken & NYC workers; just went away

 

[Dr. Spivey]

As I recall the number of Westerly workers who went to Corona was zero.

There was a post on AGF once from a Tacoma worker, who worked on Tacoma brand guitars. He was bitter that Fender dumped the Tacoma brand. I think he said no one from Tacoma was asked to go to New Hartford.

I'm going off memory on both of these items.

 

[onewilyfool]

That's strange......I know Kim Walker is an independant luthier, but did the others just vanish into mid air? Where did they get the present workers in Conneticut?

 

[taabru45]

I think Steelpickins' moonighting there....Maybe Frosty too........ :roll: :lol: :lol: Steffan

 

[dreadnut]

Where did they get the present workers in Conneticut?

I don't know, but judging by the 2009 Price List, they didn't come cheap :shock:

I assume most of them were already employed at the Ovation/Hamer facility.

 

[6L6]

My understanding was that the bulk of the Westerley folks were offered employment in Corona and all but one refused. Between the difference in cost of housing and the desire to stay close to family, it was an easy decision for most to make.

Not sure about the Tacoma folks.

6

 

[workedinwesterly]

For the record only three people were offered jobs, all turned them down for various reasons. All the rest were laid off. I hope this helps to clear up the many misconceptions about Fender's love for the product and the workers.
WIW

 

[dogberry]

For the record only three people were offered jobs, all turned them down for various reasons. All the rest were laid off. I hope this helps to clear up the many misconceptions about Fender's love for the product and the workers.
WIW

Gotta love corporate America. :evil: :evil:

 

[jazzmang]

For the record only three people were offered jobs, all turned them down for various reasons. All the rest were laid off. I hope this helps to clear up the many misconceptions about Fender's love for the product and the workers.
WIW

Thats ridiculous. Fender wouldn't know world-class talent if it bit them in the...

 

[cuthbert]

For the record only three people were offered jobs, all turned them down for various reasons. All the rest were laid off. I hope this helps to clear up the many misconceptions about Fender's love for the product and the workers.
WIW

I assume that those three were all execs or at least in management...

This story reminds me of the closing of Kalamazoo by Gibson in the 80s.

 

[workedinwesterly]

Actually it was one in repair and two in management.

 

[hideglue]

...and one from Final Assembly

 

[6L6]

Thanks for setting the record straight on this.

6

 

[capnjuan]

Offers would have been made at the time when housing costs in CA were out of control. 2BRs/LR/Kit/BA $500K and up ... without big COL increase, no way (San) Jose.

 

[workedinwesterly]

housing costs were just a small part of it.

for 5 years they told us that they'd never move us and they'd invest in the facility.
then another day the head of HR appears unannounced and told us it was over.
What they said they'd do, they didn't do.
what they said they'd never do, they did.

Why would you uproot your family and move clear across the country for a company like that ?
Would you have confidence in the stability of your job ?

 

[guildzilla]

Sadly, it seems crystal clear to me that all of you guys made the right decision.