UAW Likely to Strike Ford if Labor Agreement Isn’t Reached

In case you didn’t notice, the Detroit Big Three are currently in the middle of their biggest struggle since the crisis itself, a negotiation with the United Auto Workes union over a better labor agreement that can better help employees that have sacrificed a lot to get the automakers through their struggles and back into profitability.

If an acceptable contract is not agreed upon, the UAW might very well strike Ford Motor Co. after the current contract ends on September 14, according to Detroit News. Obviously, the Blue Oval will have to find a way to share in good time in order to keep its workforce happy. Ford is the only one of the three facing this issue, as restrictions from the recent bankruptcy don’t permit workers to do the same at GM and Chrysler plants.

41,000 workers were reportedly asked to take a vote on the matter at hand, and local representatives have reported 97 percent or higher of the membership has authorized UAW leadership to strike if necessary. This doesn’t imply that a strike is 97 percent certain to take place, just that the union has a lot of ammunition for the negotiations with Ford.

"The fat-cat plants want more," said Jimmy Caygill, president of Local 400, which seeks more work for its Romeo Engine Plant and has seen plants close. "Some (plants) have no worries so obviously they want everything they can get," Caygill said. "There are the haves and the have-nots. The ones who want raises and COLA (cost of living adjustment) have a full plant."