Ford says ‘significant gaps’ remain in UAW labour contract talks
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Ford Motor said that it still has “significant gaps to close” on key economic issues.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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DETROIT - Ford Motor said on Sunday that despite progress in some areas, it still has “significant gaps to close” on key economic issues before it can reach a new labour agreement with the United Auto Workers union.
The “issues are interconnected and must work within an overall agreement that supports our mutual success”, it said in a late evening statement after talks over the weekend.
The UAW, which on Friday cited “real progress” in talks with the No. 2 US automaker, did not immediately comment.
In contrast to Ford, the UAW has expanded strikes
The UAW began unprecedented, simultaneous strikes on Sept 15
UAW President Shawn Fain said on Friday that Ford had improved its contract offer, including boosting profit sharing and agreeing to let workers strike over plant closures but said the union still had serious issues to resolve.
The Detroit Three automakers have proposed 20 per cent raises over 4½ years, while the UAW is seeking 40 per cent along with 32-hour-work weeks, the return of defined benefit pensions and to eliminate wage gaps separating newer and older employees.
President Joe Biden will travel to Michigan on Tuesday to show support for workers and visit a UAW picket line, while Donald Trump, who is seeking a new term as president, will speak in Clinton Township, Michigan on Wednesday about the UAW strike.
GM said last week it was forced to idle its Kansas car plant because of a parts shortage stemming from the strike, which led it to temporarily furlough 2,000 workers in Kansas.
Stellantis temporarily laid off 68 employees in Ohio last week and expects to furlough another 300 workers in Indiana because of the strike. REUTERS
