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Rite Aid files for bankruptcy, announces financial restructuring plans amid opioid complaints, lawsuits_我的网站

A |     DETROIT -- Ford Motor Co. Executive Chairman Bill Ford called on autoworkers to come together to end a monthlong strike that he says could cost the company the ability to invest in the future.In a rare speech during contract talks in the company's hometown of Dearborn, Michigan, Ford said high labor costs could limit spending to develop new vehicles and invest in factories. “It’s the absolute lifeblood of our company. And if we lose it, we will lose to the competition. America loses. Many jobs will be lost,” said the great grandson of company founder Henry Ford.The company, he said, builds more vehicles in America and has more United Auto Workers employees than any company, which has increased its costs in a highly competitive industry.Ford has 57,000 UAW workers compared with 46,000 at GM and 43,000 at Stellantis. “Many of our competitors moved jobs to Mexico as we added jobs here in the U.S.,” Ford said.The company is near an impasse with the United Auto Workers union, which walked out in targeted strikes at all three Detroit automakers on Sept. 15, Last week 8,700 union members walked out at the largest and most profitable Ford plant in the world, the Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville. Ford said the strike at the Kentucky plant is harming tens of thousands of Americans who work for parts suppliers and Ford dealers. The strike also could cause a fragile parts supply base to collapse, he said. “If it continues, it will have a major impact on the American economy and devastate local communities,” he said.There was no immediate response from the UAW early Monday. Ford, only the fourth family member to lead the 120-year-old company, said he has watched other companies lose their auto industries, then all of their manufacturing base. He said strong American manufacturing is essential for national security. “We need to come together to bring an end to this acrimonious round of talks,” Ford said. “I still believe in a bright future – one that we can build together. I still believe the automobile industry is a major force for good in our country. We will continue to be there when America needs us most.”Last week, after the Kentucky strike began, a top Ford executive said on a conference call with reporters that Ford had reached the limit in how much it was willing to spend to end the strike. The speech from Ford arrives with the entire auto industry making a historic and expensive shift from internal combustion engines to electric vehicles.UAW President Shawn Fain has said Ford and crosstown rivals General Motors and Jeep maker Stellantis are making billions in profits, and that workers should get a share. He says the workers should be repaid for sacrificing general pay raises, cost of living adjustments and agreeing to lower wage tiers to keep the companies afloat during the Great Recession.The union began striking at targeted factories after its contracts with the companies expired. It started picketing one assembly plant from each company, but that has since spread to 38 parts warehouses at GM and Jeep maker Stellantis. The UAW later added another assembly plant at both GM and Ford.Last Wednesday Fain made the surprise announcement that the union would walk out at the Kentucky plant, which makes Super Duty pickups and large Ford and Lincoln SUVs.About 34,000 of the union's 146,000 employees at all three automakers are now on strike.Kumar Galhotra, president of Ford Blue, the company’s internal combustion engine business, told reporters Thursday that Ford stretched to get to the offer it now has on the table.The apparently widening labor rift suggests Ford and the union may be in for a lengthy strike that could cost the company and workers billions of dollars.Fain said on Wednesday that Ford told UAW bargainers for nearly two weeks that it would make another counteroffer on economic issues. But at a meeting called by the union, the company didn’t increase its previous offer, Fain said. “Ford hasn’t gotten the message” to bargain for a fair contract, Fain said in announcing the walkout by 8,700 workers at the company’s Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville.“We’ve been very patient working with the company on this,” he said in a video. “They have not met expectations, they’re not even coming to the table on it.”Galhotra called Ford’s offer “incredibly positive” and said Ford never indicated to the union that it would be increased.“We have been very clear we are at the limit,” he said on a conference call with reporters. “We risk the ability to invest in the business and profitably grow. And profitable growth is in the best interest of everybody at Ford.”The company has a set amount of money, but is willing to move dollars around in a way that might fit the union’s needs, he said, adding that he still thinks it’s possible to reach a deal.The union has said Ford’s general wage offer is up to 23% over four years and that it has reinstated cost of living raises. GM and Stellantis were at 20%. But Fain said none was high enough.。    One of the nation's largest drugstore chains has voluntarily initiated the Chapter 11 process for bankruptcy protection.Rite Aid announced Sunday that the company had reached an agreement with creditors on the terms of its financial restructuring plan that will "increase its financial flexibility" and "significantly reduce" its existing debt.In addition to billions in debt and slumping sales, Rite Aid has faced over 1,000 federal, state and local lawsuits that claim its pharmacies allegedly filled thousands of illegal prescriptions for painkillers, according to the New York Times. In March, the Justice Department filed a complaint against the company, claiming it filled "unlawful prescriptions for controlled substances" that allegedly had obvious and often multiple red flags, indicating misuse. The company has denied those claims.In its press release Sunday, the company stated it will "resolve litigation claims in an equitable manner."Rite Aid did not immediately respond to ABC News' request for additional comment.Rite Aid says it employs more than 6,100 pharmacists and operates over 2,100 retail pharmacy locations across 17 states.The company said Sunday it had secured a commitment for $3.45 billion in new financing and debt reduction agreements under the court-supervised process which is "expected to provide sufficient liquidity to support the Company throughout this process," adding that it would also close some underperforming store locations and sell off some assets in order to "reduce the Company’s rent expense" and "strengthen its overall financial performance.""The Company is making every effort to ensure customers of impacted stores have access to health services, whether at another Rite Aid or a nearby pharmacy, and will work to transfer prescriptions accordingly so that there is no disruption of services," the company stated. Rite Aid "will also transfer associates at impacted stores to other Rite Aid locations where possible."Rite Aid also announced Jeffrey S. Stein will officially take over for Elizabeth Burr as chief executive officer. He will also serve as chief restructuring officer and a member of the company's board of directors. Burr is expected to "continue in her role as a Director on the Company’s Board," Rite Aid said."Rite Aid has served customers and communities across our country for more than 60 years, and the important actions we are taking today will enable us to move ahead as a stronger company," Stein said in a statement. "With the support of our lenders, we look forward to strengthening our financial foundation, advancing our transformation initiatives and accelerating the execution of our turnaround strategy. In doing so, we will be even better able to deliver the healthcare products and services our customers and their families rely on now and into the future."。

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