Ford’s First Striking Plant Reaches Contract Agreement as UAW Members Approve New Terms

Autoworkers at Ford’s primary factory who were on strike have recently voted in favor of a tentative contract agreement that was reached with the company. This agreement outlines the terms and conditions of their employment, which includes their wages, benefits, and working hours. This positive outcome is a significant development for both parties involved.

Positive Results 

Ford takes pride in being the largest assembler of vehicles in America and the biggest employer of hourly autoworkers. They are fully committed to restarting production at the Kentucky Truck Plant, Michigan Assembly Plant, and Chicago Assembly Plant. This will bring back 20,000 Ford employees to work, enabling them to deliver our complete range of products to our esteemed customers. It is important to note that the agreement is subject to ratification by Ford’s UAW-represented employees. The UAW will provide details to its members as part of the ratification process.

On September 15, after the union’s contract with Ford expired, members of Local 900 at the Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Michigan, went on strike. They protested long working hours, insufficient pay, and poor working conditions. The strike went on for over a month, but the United Auto Workers union announced on Thursday that a tentative agreement has finally been reached with Ford. The agreement is for four years and eight months and was put to a vote. 82% of the workers voted in favor of it, with 3,097 out of 3,780 workers voting in favor of the contract, while 683 were against it. The deal was approved by 81% of production workers and 90% of skilled trades workers. The voting process for Ford’s 57,000 union members will continue until November 17, 2023. This marks a significant milestone for the workers who have fought for better working conditions and fair compensation.

According to Marick Masters, a business professor at Wayne State University who specializes in labor issues, the recent vote at the Ford factory indicates a positive outlook for the union. He stated that the workers are well aware of the overall situation, and their high levels of approval reflect the sentiment of the broader workforce represented by the UAW regarding the contract. While the union officials still need to convince their members, this vote seems to be a sign of good news, according to Masters.

As part of their efforts to secure a favorable deal, workers initiated targeted walkouts at an automaker, which eventually escalated into a full-blown six-week protest. At the height of the strike, it involved 46,000 union members from eight assembly plants and 38 parts warehouses nationwide, impacting the operations of three different automakers. The strike aimed to put pressure on the companies to negotiate better working conditions and wages for the union members. It is important to note that the union represents around 146,000 members of all three Detroit-based auto companies.

Kenny Ross Ford South

Ford has made a very wise decision that has received a great response from the automotive industry. This decision will undoubtedly benefit both parties. Ford remains committed to serving its customers and employees. We invite you to visit Kenny Ross Ford South and discover the incredible range of vehicles produced by this remarkable company.