Ford Workers In Missouri, Michigan Reject Contract

DETROIT (AP) -- Autoworkers in Missouri and Michigan overwhelmingly rejected a new contract with Ford Motor Co., a sign that the automaker and the United Auto Workers union are having trouble convincing some workers to accept changes that would lower Ford's labor costs.

Ninety-two percent of workers at the Kansas City Assembly Plant voted against changes to their contract Sunday. The plant, which makes Ford F-150 pickups as well as the Ford Explorer and Mercury Mariner, employs around 3,700 people, or about 9 percent of Ford's 41,000 UAW members.

Workers at plants in Livonia and Plymouth also rejected the changes in recent days, according to Gary Wolkowicz, a member of the UAW bargaining committee at the Dearborn Truck Plant and an outspoken opponent of the changes. The vote at the Sheldon Road plant in Plymouth, which makes climate control systems, was 80 percent opposed, while 52 percent of those voting at the Livonia transmission plant were against the deal.

Ford and the UAW agreed to make changes to their 2007 labor agreement two weeks ago, bringing Ford in line with labor cost cuts already agreed to at General Motors Co. and Chrysler LLC. But workers must ratify the changes for them to go into effect.

Workers would get a $1,000 bonus if the deal is ratified, but the proposal also would freeze entry-level wages and require some skilled-trades workers to do more than one job. The union also agreed not to strike Ford if the two sides disagree on wage or benefit increases, although the UAW could still strike over other issues.

Jeff Wright, president of UAW Local 249 in Pleasant Valley, Mo., which represents the Kansas City plant, said workers were upset about the wage cap, changes in work rules and the no-strike provision. But he said workers also were angered by local management issues, including a rash of disciplinary hearings in recent weeks.

"I'm sure you've heard that all politics are local," said Wright, who stayed neutral on the changes. "Management, leading up to this, was not conducive to getting a 'yes' vote from our members."

Workers elsewhere have approved the changes. Two factories in Wayne, Mich., and two more in Brook Park, Ohio, near Cleveland have approved the deal. The Wayne plant voted only 51 percent in favor despite getting commitments for two new vehicles. Sixty-one percent of workers in Brook Park supported the deal, Wolkowicz said.

A message seeking comment was left Monday with the UAW. Ford has said it won't comment on the process until the voting ends.

UAW President Ron Gettelfinger told The Associated Press in an interview before the Kansas City vote that he's pushing the deal because it preserves jobs through product guarantees for several plants. He also believes it helps Ford be competitive and profitable in the future.

But opponents say Ford already is healthier than GM and Chrysler, and that workers need to take a stand and stop accepting concessions.

Voting is scheduled to end Nov. 2, the same day Ford is set to release its third-quarter earnings. At least one analyst has predicted the company will report a profit, adding to opponents' case that the automaker doesn't need further concessions.

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UAW and Ford Motor Company Agreement 10/27/2009 11:43:00 AM The rank and file of the UAW at these latest two locations need to reconsider their current position, what is good for Ford will benefit ALL Ford employees in the long run.....we are only talking about an agreement that spans 2 years........not 20. Ford Motor Company is on the cusp of becoming one of the best carbuilders in the world and that is due, in large part, to the contributions of ALL the members of the UAW. These concessions are not "life-threatening", in my opinion, and need to be ratified ASAP to ensure Ford continues to be a major player in this Economic Recovery about to take place. The benefits, long, term, are potentially huge, not only for all Ford employees, but the consumer public and our economy as well. Just my 2 cents.
UAW Rank and file 10/27/2009 11:50:00 AM So, because Ford is "healthier" than GM or Chrysler makes it alright to bleed the cash cow more than they have in the past? these guys don't get it. Keep this up and the company will be following the same track as previously, which is what got them into the mess in the first place.
Workers vote no! 10/27/2009 11:53:00 AM If I were the Chairman of Ford, I'd make an announcement today that the KC, Livonia, and Plymouth plants are going to be closed!
Efficiency is where it is at 10/27/2009 11:56:00 AM The reason foreign owned auto manufacturers are doing better in this country is because of efficiency. Manufacturers can no longer live with the old union work rules. If the membership doesn't live with this, they will be out of work.
Workers vote no 10/27/2009 12:03:00 PM The union members still just don't get it. The good ol' days are gone, and unless they are willing to accept that fact and stop holding out for the pie in the sky, they will end up on the unemployment line. They have ruined Michigan for us all.
UAW rejecting contract 10/27/2009 12:04:00 PM I would do the same thing the Baltimore colts did. Pack my Bags and move south where jobs are needed and appreciated.
UAW Workers 10/27/2009 12:16:00 PM When are these people going to realize that we are in the 21st century? Refusing to do more than one type of job!! I would close the plant and move it where people care about keeping their jobs and want to make their company competitive.
Wake up America 10/27/2009 12:33:00 PM Unions will help the down-fall of America if they don't wake up. Take a close look at Detroit, Michigan - it is a giant mess. Thanks to the unions AND poor management.
What a union of discontent on this page 10/27/2009 12:48:00 PM I guess in Management 101, they teach that if you reduce costs you get a bonus. Does the American public forget the Wall Street where this recession started is doing fine, in fact their planning on giving out the largest bonuses ever this year. Now all these companies have to cut costs in order to keep the stock prices up to support Wall Street. Now Wall Street gets bonuses, Management gets bonuses, American workers get laid off. Yep, all you out there are true capitalist, we should just ship all manufacturing off shore where it's cheaper, RIGHT?
Maybe they have it too good 10/27/2009 12:55:00 PM The UAW seems to understand that there are valid reasons to take less. I think they got a pretty good deal. There are plenty of workers in Michigan that would love to build F-150 trucks. Perhaps instead of giving them a $1000, they should give them a bus ticket to Detroit so they can see what the future looks like if they continue on their current path. If Ford advertised for the 3500 positions, they would have over a million respondents. Companies can't keep jobs in America when the workers are unreasonable.
Just lower all wages to what people in China get 10/27/2009 12:56:00 PM You want to keep manufacturing in America, then beat everyone to the punch and just say that in order to compete you have to pay all workers the same salary that the worker gets paid in China. That should include management so our corporations can shine with profits on Wall Street. Simple solutions to Simple problems!
All I really need to know... 10/27/2009 12:59:00 PM I learned in Kindergarten! Ford management is trying to get along with the UAW to keep from being the third car manufacturer to be bought out by the citizens of the United States. In kindergarten we are taught to get along and help each other. It's time the UAW workers listen to their management who is working WITH Ford management on a viable solution. Both management sides seem to be doing their best, the workers need to be more appreciative of what they already have.
Re: All I really need to know... 10/27/2009 2:49:00 PM You are making the assumption that the unhappy party did finish Kindergarten, correct?
UAW and Ford Motor Co agreement 10/27/2009 3:22:00 PM I realize that the rank and file have been giving back, making concessions for sometime now. But if they want to keep the momentum that Ford has going for it, they need to concede. If not those jobs will move away. People in the south will take them in a second. No questions asked. Yes the recession did start on Wall Street, but saying that has nothning to do what Toyota and Honda are paying people in their plants in the U.S. If these jobs are to be saved, everything must not remain as it currently is. This is the Wal-Mart mentality that unforunately all of America must no deal with. So change that vote if you want to be able to at least stay employed for a company that is still able to make items in the U.S.
RE:UAW 10/27/2009 3:34:00 PM What happened to "pattern" contracts? I guess since it is now the reverse situation with Ford the UAW won't agree to equal conditions. How's that for "brotherhood"? What a joke!
South 10/27/2009 3:36:00 PM Close those plants and bring them to Alabama or Mississippi. The folks down here will be happy to accept the exact terms that were offered!
Skilled Trades 10/27/2009 3:40:00 PM Gosh, it is just terrible to ask a skilled tradesman to do more than one job. Geeze, how could Ford do such a thing? It's bad enough to have to work seven days a week, but to require trades to do two jobs? Come On!
No UAW made cars for me 10/27/2009 4:01:00 PM I vote with my wallet. UAW members don't deserve 1/2 of their current pay IMHO.
UAW should not agree to reductions 10/27/2009 4:18:00 PM Why should they? Its been twice demonstrated that once they break a company, the government will buy it for them!
Conract Is Not Forever 10/27/2009 6:56:00 PM The no strike clause is like putting a cap on CEO's pay-- they just get paid some other way. So, strike due to some trumped up reason, not pay or benefits... the subsystem factories can be outsourced, so rejecting jobs may be hazardous to their futures. The F150 factory has the strongest hand in rejecting the contract. I find it hard to believe that GM or Chrysler workers are any better or worse than Ford workers, so they are a necessary but not sufficient condition for profitability...
equality of contracts and concessions 10/27/2009 8:54:00 PM too all of you that think the uaw workers should give in to lower wages need to get educated on the contract facts before you make uneducated comments. the facts in some of the modifications are arbitration for pay and benefit increases instead of threat of strike. sounds poor of us does it?? the average ford worker makes around 50K at 41,000 workers or around 210 million. Did you see the article that says the top 17 execs at ford make approx 110 million?? I think the board and the 17 execs forgot that it takes 41,000 to build the vehicles. To cut the exec pay by 50% would leave them well paid as they should be and save more money that the workers could give up. so unless you have educated yourself on the REAL contract issues maybe walmart for minimum wage is the place for you to be, as i want all people to be able to afford the products I proudly have a part in producing at a U.A.W. facility
Solidarity within UAW?? 10/27/2009 11:16:00 PM This story and a couple of the comments point out what inconsiderate and inflexible individuals some of the members are! UAW management understands that they have gained far too much in the past to be sustainable. Management at Ford understands that they are holding on to the reins but just barely. Labor on the other hand, has gotten the idea that if their employer has earned a return on investment for the owners, then all of that money and more should be given them! In the world of reality, Managers manage. Workers work. Politicians lie. The products are built and sold. If the workers have worked well, and the managers have managed wisely, then money is made for the stockholders, and everybody involved has a nice life. And by the way, skilled trades are called that for a reason...by definition each discipline within the heading is highly trained and has inate abilities in their particular trade. The skilled trades do very many different jobs within their trade. That is why they must be SKILLED. assemblers and many others are classified as laborers. Considering that this is the same classification that would clean up, load/unload materials by hand, etc. at a construction site for example, the pay being offered is overly generous, but you still want MORE. Brothers and Sisters, there AIN'T NO MORE! Times change. People change. Jobs change, and if the people doing those jobs don't change and adapt, they find themselves OUT of jobs!
FOOLS 10/28/2009 6:40:00 AM I agree that Ford should immediately close the 2 plants. Bring the work to the Brookpark plant 8 miles from my home. Cleveland would welcome the extra jobs any day of the week. What's wrong with these unions? In the last year or so, Ford has become one of the most respected auto manufacture because of all the right moves they made to keep financially sound rather than hold out their hands for a bailout from Maobama. Make another right move Ford and shut the door on these already overpayed workers. THAT would really put a smile on my face as I drive my F150 to work making half of what they do.
The End is Near. 10/28/2009 8:22:00 AM This current round of voting exemplifies the ignorance of most of these union workers. They have been taught by the union leadership to believe they are worth more than what is reasonable. As long as the union has power over manufacturing we will lose our ability to compete. We should scrap the union system and return to free market rules for employees too. If you have more than one skill then you would be rewarded for your investment in yourself. Lets face it, most of these union thugs barely made it out of high school if at all. they were too cool for school because they new they would have this union protected gig where you are rewarded for not learning anything outside of your box. The party's over. hope you wake up before you take us all down. Hire non union employees and I'll by that car!
Cut top pay first 10/28/2009 9:47:00 AM This goes back to the earlier post from equality of contracts and concessions. If the top 17 executives earn as much as 50% of the work force it is time time to cut their pay. They are not worth that much. If you cut pay at the top the union workers would be more willing to have their pay cut. If you want to get back to profitability start at the top.
Exec pay? 10/28/2009 10:39:00 AM Dude, $50K times 41000 workers is $2.05 billion, you're off by a factor of 10. Of course 50K is just salary paid, not including benefits and such. I would guess conservatively the cost to the company per worker is at least 75K per person so the cost to the company for the labor is more like $3 billion. So if the execs cost the compnay around .1 billion and the workers cost the company around 3 billion that says the top execs cost about 3 percent of the workers. Even if you fired all 17 of them it wouldn't make much of a dent! Fact is, there's an extremely large supply of folks in the world that are capable of doing the job and willing to do it for 50K salary...in fact way less outside the US.
Hasn't our standard of living been reduced enough? 10/29/2009 10:29:00 AM I think it's time for executives to take huge pay cut rather than cutting the backbone of their success.
boeing going South 11/3/2009 9:10:00 AM Boeing has decided to put its second 787 assembly line down in South Carolina. High costs for labor and workers' compensation seem to be the reasons. They have been bothered by strikes up in Washington, too. I think you'd have to be crazy to build a plant on the coasts or in Michigan these days.
Ford- union 11/3/2009 9:41:00 AM I would chose to work and live to fight another day. Many of us are struggling and see little but gloom on the horizon. Each of us are multitasked in my small technology company. Is it wrong to do more than one job? I think not, it strengths labors position. Many outlying areas will take the Ford factories with open arms including concessions. How do you equate standard of living to 'no jobs'. Wake up and smell the coffee UAW.
Crazy to build on the coasts? 11/3/2009 3:24:00 PM Look at a map. South Carolina is on the coast of the USA, by the Atlantic Ocean.
What is FAIR? 11/3/2009 6:58:00 PM Here is a question for everyone, IF YOU owned a company, would you pay your labor the same as yourself?. OR would YOU the one that started the company, came up with the ideas, got the working capital, bought all the raw materials, found people to buy the porduct, etc. be paid more? I understand that how much more is a question and I believe that some CEO's that earn 500 times their average worker are way overpaid. But I also believe that UAW workers are also overpaid. Let's face it your "skills" are not worth as much as you earn unless you work for an auto manufacturer. You can't take those skills across the street to a food plant and expect to recieve the same wage. So what is your "real" worth - your UAW wage or what the open market will pay you? I am sure that in each of your towns that Ford could replace you at half or less with people more than willing and qualified to do the work that you are doing today. Until you take these facts into your calculations you may become the next "unemployment statistic". Just my $0.02 ($0.01 after taxes)

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