Ford plans layoffs of salaried staff

DETROIT-- Ford Motor Co. plans to conduct involuntary layoffs of salaried employees by August as part of a restructuring in the face of slumping sales and record-high gas prices, a spokeswoman said Wednesday. Marcey Evans said the company hasn't yet determined how many white-collar jobs will be cut. But she said that unlike previous rounds of layoffs in recent years, employees won't be offered voluntary buyout packages with financial or early retirement incentives. The Detroit News reported Wednesday that some employees were told Ford plans to cut its salaried work force by 10 to 12 percent, or more than 2,000.