CLAYCOMO, Mo. - Ford workers are heading back to the production line Monday.
Claycomo was scheduled to close for a one week summer vacation, but the auto maker decided to halt truck and SUV production at the plant for two weeks.
According to the Kansas City Business Journal, F-150 sales in May were down about 22 percent from last year.
Claycomo also makes the Mercury Mariner and Ford Escape.
Union Local 249's Web site says most workers will be compensated for the shut down. Some would use vacation pay. Others could turn to unemployment benefits.
Nelle Belle's Diner relies heavily on Ford employees. Waitress Patti Windser says business was down about 50 percent during the shutdown.
She hopes the tide will turn this week not only for her sake but for Ford employees. She says they love hanging out at the diner and that everyone knows everyone's name.
Claycomo's future has a mix of positive and negative changes ahead. The Kansas City Star says the plant is expected to get a new product, auto body shop as well as government loans to help make hybrids.
But there are unconfirmed reports that Ford is considering moving the Mercury Mariner and Ford Escape from Claycomo to another plant.
Claycomo is scheduled to close for another summer break the week of August 17.
