DETROIT (AP) -- Ford Motor Co.'s top manufacturing executive says the company will save money with a new contract ratified last weekend by the Canadian Auto Workers even though it doesn't include a lower-tier pay scale for newly hired workers.
Group Vice President of Global Manufacturing Joe Hinrichs said in an interview Monday that Ford was able to freeze base wages and pension costs and buy the CAW out of one week of vacation. Hinrichs also says Ford won more production time at its Oakville, Ontario, factory that makes strong-selling the Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX crossover vehicles.
About 9,000 CAW workers at Ford approved the new three-year deal late Sunday.
CAW President Buzz Hargrove says the Ford deal will serve as a pattern for talks with General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC.
