Ford calls on UAW to cease ‘acrimonious’ strike

FORD Motor is calling on the United Auto Workers to end its more than month-long strike, warning that if the work stoppage continues it will hurt both local communities and the broader US economy.

“I call on my great UAW colleagues,” executive chair Bill Ford said in remarks delivered at the historic Rouge factory built by Henry Ford in Dearborn, Michigan. “We need to come together to bring an end to this acrimonious round of talks.”

The union began its walkout on Sep 15 after a four-year contract expired, targeting plants run by Ford, General Motors and Stellantis, which owns the Jeep and Ram brands. UAW president Shawn Fain has kept the three major Detroit automakers guessing, calling a surprise strike at Ford’s largest factory – its Kentucky Truck Plant – on Oct 11.

“Shutting down that plant harms tens of thousands of Americans right away,” said Ford, the great-grandson of Henry. “If it continues, it would have a major impact on the American economy and devastate local communities.”

The union’s decision to stop work Ford’s facility in Kentucky was a major escalation since that site makes higher-priced Super Duty versions of F-Series pickups and Lincoln Navigator and Ford Expedition large sport-utility vehicles.

Relations between Ford and the union have traditionally been better than those the UAW has had with GM and the former Chrysler. But in recent weeks, Ford has signalled its unhappiness with the pace of progress in the talks and chief executive Jim Farley has taken issue with UAW head Fain’s decision not to meet with bill Ford before the strike deadline. BLOOMBERG