Ford's salaried ponder buyouts

Another week at Ford Motor Co., another massive buyout offer.

At noon Monday, the restaurants, cafes and taverns on Michigan near Monroe Street in Dearborn became a forum of information, gossip and daydreaming for Ford white-collar workers streaming over for lunch.

Workers gathered in the shops on a day when thousands of white-collar workers were finding out whether they would receive buyout or early-retirement offers.

In most departments, Ford is expected to offer buyouts to 85 percent of salaried employees. Ford's goal is to cut 10,000 of its 38,500 U.S. salaried jobs by 2008.