UAW Strike Threat at Missouri Ford F-150 Plant Intensifies
October 01 2015 - 3:40PM
Dow Jones News
The threat of a possible United Auto Workers strike at a
critical Ford Motor Co. pickup-truck plant intensified Thursday
after a Sunday overtime shift was canceled and local leaders
advised members to check with the strike committee for their
assignments.
UAW Local 249, representing workers at Ford's Claycomo, Mo.,
plant, posted social-media images showing the Sunday shift was
canceled. The posting was quickly followed by another telling union
members they are required to participate in the strike by taking
different shifts on the picket line. About 7,500 people work at the
plant, which produces the F-150 pickup truck.
The move comes after UAW Vice President Jimmy Settles gave Ford
a five-day notice of the union's intention to strike over
unresolved issues at the facility. Plants work their own labor
accords with auto makers which are separate from the national
agreement.
Earlier Thursday, Ford's U.S. marketing chief, Mark LaNeve, said
he thought a strike could be avoided.
"We are working hard to avoid a disruption," Mr. LaNeve said.
"We are confident we will negotiate a fair deal and we will
continue to work on it."
Separately, the UAW is still reeling on a national level
Thursday after Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV rank-and-file members
overwhelmingly rejected a tentative agreement that would have set
the pattern for the union's negotiations with Ford and General
Motors Co.
UAW President Dennis Williams is meeting with local leaders in
Warren, Mich., to map out a new strategy. It is the first time in
more than 30 years members have rejected an agreement approved by
union leadership.
Fiat Chrysler, Ford and GM union members have been working under
contract extensions since Sept. 14.
Write to Jeff Bennett at jeff.bennett@wsj.com
Subscribe to WSJ: http://online.wsj.com?mod=djnwires
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
October 01, 2015 16:25 ET (20:25 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2015 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
Ford Motor (NYSE:F)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2024 to May 2024
Ford Motor (NYSE:F)
Historical Stock Chart
From May 2023 to May 2024