Diesel Technician Recognition

Keith Browning · May 13, 2005

Posted Image This is worth reading if you haven't seen it!

Each diesel certified technician in Specialty 51 and / or 52 that properly submits a 6.0L

Diagnostic Tool will be entered into a prize drawing.

Drawing Details

Weekly prize drawings will be conducted from submissions starting Monday morning

concluding with submissions through Sunday evening. Winners will be posted to Power

Stroke Central by the next Wednesday. In order to recognize as many technicians as

possible, technicians will only be eligible to win one weekly drawing per month.

Monthly drawings will be conducted from all program-to-date submissions.

Program Dates

Drawings will begin with submissions from the week beginning May 2nd and conclude

with submissions from the week ending July 31st.

Prizes

50 weekly drawing winners will each receive 50 Masters Bucks.

5 monthly drawing winners will each receive 1600 Masters Bucks.

Masters Bucks give winning technicians maximum flexibility in award choices. Cool

new tools like VCMs, PDS, NGS+ to Pocket-PC Conversion Kits, PDAs and even PTS

Workstations are available. In fact, a monthly drawing winner will receive enough

Masters Bucks to purchase a PTS Workstation! Masters Bucks are also redeemable for

a verity of other merchandize from the Masters Program website. Hundreds of different

items are available. Personal items like electronics and sporting goods to tools and

professional items are available. Diesel specific, as well as other Rotunda tools and

equipment can be purchased with Masters Bucks through RTTP certificates. Ford and

Power Stroke logo items, including apparel, are also available. Go to Rewards and

Recognition from the PTS website and click on the Masters Home Page for more details

regarding Masters Bucks redemption.

Award Notification

Winners of the weekly and monthly drawings will be posted to the Power Stroke Central

area of the PTS website by the following Wednesday. Winners with an e-mail address

on record with the Masters program will also receive e-mail notification.

Here's the link for the PDF version:

http://www.fordtechservice.dealerconnection.com/vdirs/diag/Diesel-Drawing-Details.pdf

FordTechCA · May 14, 2005

so if i read it right is that for using the diag tool to help fix a 6.0L? kinda like they did last year when Ford started that?

Torqued_Up · May 15, 2005

I found this on another site hope it's okay to post. It does not say who it's from but I think it goes with the first post on this topic somehow. Makes ya wonder if Ford fearing a mass exodus of diesel techs from the dealers.

TO: Dealer Principals, Service Managers

DATE: 5/11/2005

SUBJECT: Diesel Specialist Technician Recognition, Pay Plans and and Satisfaction

The purpose of this email is to inform Dealer Principals and Service

Managers of issues related to Diesel Technician recognition, pay plans, and

overall employee satisfaction. My visits to most every dealership brings

messages from the Diesel Technicians that they are unhappy with the level of

work they are investing, and the pay they receive for that work. This

dissatisfaction is from several sources, but the main factor is their work

mix has shifted from 40% Warranty repairs, to about 75-85% Warranty repairs.

With this shift, the technicians are seeing a drop in hours turned, and a

drop in their pay check. This has resulted in some technicians leaving Ford

Dealerships, seeking an improved pay check through large Ford fleets or

aftermarket diesel shops.

It seems the latest buzz word around town is "Effective Labor Rate" and how

can I get this number up. There are several ways to improve this important

measure, but I ask that before you implement changes, like a Matrix Labor

Rate, you first consider other options carefully. Raising labor rates is

one solution, but is not always the answer to making improvements or

increasing business. Altering dispatching of work to lower skill

technicians really is not the answer to this issue either. This can result

in some serious shop morale issues, and is rarely worth the gain. Your

diesel techs should be doing some diesel maintenance from time to time -

give them a break. We need to price diesel work competitively and begin

advertising for the maintenance and engine repairs out their beyond the 5

Year / 100,000 mile warranty mark.

It is not likely there will be any significant changes in the Ford Labor

Time Standards published on the 6.0L Diesel. As this motor changes, labor

times will be updated. A look at your 126 will give you an idea what your

Service Department is spending on warranty in the diesel area. Some

dealerships are trending high on this report, and do need to take actions to

address both parts and labor expense under warranty.

The following topics are offered with my shared commentary as thought

starters for you. I encourage each Dealer Principal to review these very

hot topics with your Service Manager. Please assure your valued Diesel

Technicians remain at the Dealership, and are not lost to the aftermarket.

Diesel Specialist Recognition

A letter of thanks and recognition was mailed by Francisco Codina, President

of FCSD, to each of your Ford Diesel Certified Technicians last week. This

letter of thanks included a $50.00 Rotunda Gift Certificate to purchase

tools and equipment through the Ford Rotunda Technician Tool Program (RTTP).

This is a great time to personally thank your technicians for a job well

done, and their commitment to customer satisfaction with tough issues that

have been with us for the past two years on the 6.0L Diesel.

Pay Plans / Warranty Payment

As we approach the time of year that Warranty Labor Rate increases come to

most dealerships, I would encourage you all to take a look at Technician Pay

Plans, with a close look at each Diesel Technician, and their hours turned

over the past three years. You will likely see a decline in the hours paid

to these technicians under the Flat Rate System. This is due to the shift

of labor from a near equal mix of Warranty to Customer pay, to about 85%

Warranty repairs. Many of these technicians tell me they rarely see a

Customer Pay job or any maintenance work as they are the "experts" that are

required (under Diesel Certification requirements) to complete warranty

repairs on diesels. It seems that their investment in training

certification has taken them to a place where they are being penalized for

their knowledge by working on the "warranty clock." In general these

technicians are very unhappy with this change as it hits them right in the

wallet. There is a solution to this issue. There needs to be a change in

the hourly wage that is paid these technicians. The range I see these

technicians paid in the Market area varies from $23.00 to $27.00 per flat

rate hour. Please take a look at all your technicians pay plans, and make

sure your competitive, fair, and paying a wage that will keep them at your

dealership. I would also suggest a close look at dispatching practices, and

the work mix you are giving these valued technicians. Don't expect or force

them to be on the warranty clock 100% of the time.

Diesel Certified Technicians / Training for the Future

In general I see most dealerships don't have the number of Certified Diesel

Technicians they need to "grow the business" and are not looking at

completing the training they needed to bring lower level technicians up the

training ladder. Typically this process, to certify a diesel technician,

takes from 1-2 years depending on the level of the technician being trained.

Most stores need from three to five Diesel Certified Technicians to handle

work that is available. There are some larger stores that have six or more

certified diesel technicians, and are being rewarded for their ability to

quickly get diesel work done.

Trust me, there is no shortage of diesel work, and in the next three months,

this work load will increase significantly. The answer to this issue is to

"grow your own" technicians, and begin right now. Select a technician, get

the pre-requisites completed, and get technicians scheduled for diesel

training ASAP. Due to the hardware issues with these classes, they are

taught in the Training Centers only (SLC, Denver, Albuquerque). These

classes will not be taken to Boise. You may need to send your technician to

another location for this important training, and it will not be easy to get

into these classes without course requests. Enrollment of an employee in

the Ford ASSET program is the quickest way to get a trained and experienced

technician at the dealership. Sponsoring of a FACT student at a school like

UTI Phoenix does bring some valued classroom credentials, and is a great

source of new technicians. The bottom line is that we need to take a very

serious look at getting ready for this ever increasing area of our business,

and the seasonal rush that will be here very soon.

Ford offers Web, FMT and Fordstar Training on the 6.0L / 7.3L Diesel

engines, and I encourage diesel technicians to complete these courses. The

6.0L Diesel courses are all very new. There is also an instructor led 6.0L

Diesel class that is rarely requested. It can be found in the Course

Catalog in STARS2. We do plan on offering the "diesel series" over the

summer, so be sure to have your course requests in the system. The best

training on this motor is hands on, and an apprentice who can work with a

valued veteran will get the tips on how to fix these right. The 6.0L Diesel

is a hard engine to work on, and one that is not forgiving of mistakes. It

requires a Certified, Experienced, Hard working technician with a positive

attitude. We need to want to work on these trucks.

Latest Technical Actions / Feedback on the Latest Level of Software

The latest release / update of software for 2004 and 2005 Diesels is working

well. It does improve drivability significantly, and has resolved most all

issues related to surge, bucking and trailer hitching under load. It is

recommended for all units. It is important to do a test-drive after this

work, and the transmission will shift harsh and quick till it learns how to

behave. We still recommend activating Tow-Haul when hauling loads. This

alters shift points and does improve power and performance.

Keith Browning · May 15, 2005

Yes it's fine to post that stuff here. (I just want us to stay away from the heavy copyright infringement stuff like service manuals TSB's and Recalls, which you can refer to... most of us have access to that information.)

Parts of that letter sound like an admission that we (the diesel techs) are getting screwed! I for one have not seen my $50 gratitude certificate as of yet. $50??? Posted Image Is that supposed to make me feel better especially knowing what's coming at us in the future?

Keith Browning · June 6, 2005

Just got my $50 RTTP certificate. I don't know what to feel. It's a drop in the bucket when I consider that I have lost more than 50 bucks in potential earnings. I don't know about you guys but being a certified diesel technician for a Ford dealer has hurt me financially and I guess the worst is still coming, from what I hear these upcoming recalls are going to create a heavy work load. More work, same pay...hmmmmm, That $50 certificate sure makes it all better doesn't it? Posted Image Sorry guys, I had to vent.

FordTechCA · June 8, 2005

vent away Posted Image my $50 is sitting in my tool box waiting to see if i can add another $50 by using the diag tool on the powerstroke central site. $50 doesnt get you much from rotunda but i can find a few things under $100 to spend the free money on.

FordTechCA · June 15, 2005

well i just got my first $50 for using the diag tool on the powerstroke central site. ill try again next month seeing you can only win once a month Posted Image

Keith Browning · June 21, 2005

I keep forgetting to use the Wizards! They are not much of a help for me but hey, I want in on the prizes too!!! I suppose they help the guys that need to establish a consistent diagnostic routine.

Fordtechnician · June 22, 2005

I didn't see my $50.00 yet. I guess thats another thing I will never see!

FordTechCA · June 22, 2005

I keep forgetting to use the Wizards! They are not much of a help for me but hey, I want in on the prizes too!!! I suppose they help the guys that need to establish a consistent diagnostic routine.

lol im not using them for help Posted Image

i just run it when i get a chance while working on the vehicle or while im doing paperwork. only takes a minute or 2 to run thru one. i figured if Ford is giving away free stuff ill jump through the hoops to try and get whatever they are giving. i got the new wire splice kit that came out last year for free when all that was required was filling out a servey to enter into the drawing for it. i use the heck out of it and make the dealer buy my refils for the kit. Posted Image

Keith Browning · June 23, 2005

Ernie, Welcome to the site, glad you made it!

Quote:

I didn't see my $50.00 yet.

I didn't see mine until a short time ago because it was sitting on the Dealer Principal's desk. It eventually trickled down. I have the notice in my tool box at work so I can't read it right now but I remember something about retrieving a code or coupon on FMC Dealer. I'm not sure.

If you are a Service manager (now?) wouldn't your status on STARS have changed possibly making you ineligible? Just a thought!

Fordtechnician · June 23, 2005

If that is the case......That is a big ripoff. Let me explain....

I am from a very small dealership in PA. We employ a total of 6 people (working on the 7th). My job- I am registered as a Service Manager in Stars. I also do all other in shop repairs except auto trans. I am certified in all of them except (37) auto trans. I am also the Warranty administrator.

My other tech does everything except diesel repairs, only certified in brakes, auto trans, climate control, and electrical...yet.

There is a secretary, there is a parts manager / service advisor, a shop cleanup / car prep guy, and the DP / Salesman.

Now you see what a big ripoff I am talking about. Guess I'll never see the $50.00 even though I am the certified diesel tech and do ALL the repairs to them.

Brad_S · June 26, 2005

Wow, that is great to hear there is some recognition, do you think us tech's north of the border will see any of that cash?

Keith Browning · June 26, 2005

That is a good question. Do you guys up in Canada have the same or similar programs available to the techs? I know you have a different web site if I am not mistaken or is it a different portal into FMC Dealer? You certainly can't tell me that the vehicles are different and don't have similar problems! Posted Image

Brad_S · June 29, 2005

We do have a separate web site, and message board but usually get all the same recalls and TSBs.

They can be delayed by a month or two because of the language laws here Posted Image . Everything has to be translated to Canadian english (I have no idea what the difference from our english to yours is except the way we pronounce the letter Z) and French. When we go to look up FSA's or TSB's we actually have to chose between American english, Canadian english or French. Maybe that is the reason for the separate message boards. As far as everything else, we enroll in the same Fordstar courses Posted Image and round tables. I have never heard of any Ford sponsored incentives directed at techs though and I am told that using the Hotline Diagnostic Tool incentive is only open to American techs. Even when we call the hotline it is the Detroit one.