how many years you have at your job?

Chicago Stamping Plant Celebrates Longest-Tenured Ford UAW Employee at 60th Anniversary Celebration



CHICAGO HEIGHTS, United States – Last week marked a milestone for both Ford Motor Company and the Chicago Stamping Plant (CAP). On Tuesday, June 21 the plant held a surprise celebration for their veteran electrician, Harold Michalak who is celebrating his 60th year of working for the company. Hourly co-workers, plant management and Ford/UAW retirees gathered in the Training Center of the CAP in honor of Michalak – sharing stories and achievement awards over cake and coffee.


At the age of 85, Michalak still works six days a week and walks the facility regularly toting his trusty homemade toolbox (a yellow painted cardboard box reinforced with duct tape) without complaint, "I have no complaints about Ford. They took care of me. I can't ask for a better place to work." Co-workers describe Michalak as a hardworking guy who comes to work early and is one of the last to leave at the end of his shift. "He's sharp as a tack," said Howard Simon, a Manhattan resident and Ford employee of 35 years, of Michalak. "He's got to know every nut and bolt in this plant." Simon went on to say, "There's nobody in this plant that doesn't know Harold. He is truly a respected and well-liked employee."

Ford has approximately 41,000 UAW-represented hourly workers. Of those 41,000 only 17 employees have more that 50 years of service. Michalak is the only one with 60 years of service. Interestingly, of the 17 employees with more that 50 years of tenure, four of them work at the CAP. Bill Jackson, president of Local UAW #588 noted that Michalak is special because he has the most seniority of the nearly 900 employees at the CAP and of all UAW members working for Ford in North America. "You would never know that he's 85," Jackson said. "He is value added. There is no doubt about it."

Michalak was hired by Ford on June 23, 1951 at an aircraft engine manufacturing site Ford owned on the Southwest side of Chicago. Today, the site is home of the Ford City Mall, where you can still see the concrete towers where the engines were tested prior to being placed into fighter planes during the Korean War. "We were working on [propeller] engines, then later it was jet engines," Michalak explained. When the engine plant closed, Michalak stayed on with Ford relocating to the then newly built CAP where body panels and parts are made for Ford vehicles across the world. Prior to working at Ford, Michalak learned his trade while serving in the infantry of the U.S. Army during World War II and then working for the Santa Fe Railroad before joining Ford in June 1951.

CAP Plant Manager Gloria Georger described Michalak's dedication as "honorable." During her presentation honoring Michalak, she joked about how many things had changed in the U.S. since Michalak started at Ford, "The average vehicle price was $1,800, a gallon of gas cost $0.27 and the minimum wage rate was $0.75 per hour." Georger also presented a personalized video message to Michalak from Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally congratulating him on his milestone noting, "Harold, you and Ford and Chicago Stamping ROCK!"

I've only got 40 yrs in. That guy started at Ford the same year I was born

That is a great achievement. My wife's grandad was still working on the farm until his passing away a few weeks ago. He started here in 1947. Much like Harold, he saw a great many improvemnents and technology along the way.

This August 6th I will have 33 years in. Can't believe I've fooled them this long


-John

That is totally cool, 60 years . Right now I have 38-1/2 years at Gulfstream.

October 17th , will be 34 years at GulfStream for me..

Man that is something to brag about for sure.I want even comment on my 18 1/2 years lol

Jim

Maybe that guy worked on my 1958 Ford Custom 300!
It makes my 31 years at UPS looks like nothing.....
Cool story.
Keith

13 years with the guy's i work for now. Great place to work, plan to be there for the duration or until they ask me to leave. Over the years I've seen many come and go but only 2 that were fired.

In the industry 23 years, at the current dealership 11.

21 at UPS

just got my five year plaque last night. Like most I will be carried out as the day I retire. Congrats on the 60 years of service. Wow. Hopefully retirement will get better for everyone.

Wow, im a short timer compared to most of you folks... In september, ill have 9 years on the Detroit fire dept... at least 16 more to go

Shane

Thirty-five years, and I said to hell with it I quit, Jan,2 2007, been on this retirement kick going on five years. Two retirement checks, and a social security check, what more could you ask for.

21 years at my job making beds.

I know some local guys who retired out of the Chicago heights plant. Next time I see one of them I'll ask if they know this fella.

I am a welder for the transit system in atl.ga .Been at it to long I am retiring aug31 .It will give 28 years .I am ready for something different .Doug

25 years doing drywall and it would'nt hurt my feelings a bit if i never see another sheet or bucket of mud

Body shop

36 years building large steam turbines with General Electric Co. in Schenectady, New York. It WAS a good job until they brought in their "new breed" managers, and forced many of us to get out as fast as we could! I'm loving retirement!

Wayne (SAWDOFF) Pearce

24 years in the industry , 11 years with CKR ....... very impressive to be with a co. for 30 years plus and no doubt 60 years is crazy , props to the ole geezer

39 yrs. in Oct. and still have 5 to go.

13 years with the railroad. 17 to go.

32 in the industry was 5 at current until he closed the doors about a month ago , if all goes as planned i will open my own shop on the 2nd day of july

Retired from the state of new jersey last August with 31 years.