UAW Talks With Ford Started Earlier Than Expected

Talks between Ford and the UAW are ahead of schedule and the union has called its Ford UAW locals to hold routine strike authorization votes by September 2nd. Furthermore, Settles and UAW President Bob King revealed the fact that they have made a decision to hold a strike authorization vote at a gathering of UAW officials in Chicago. The negotiations that UAW started with Ford began in late July in order to replace a four-year contract which will expire on September 14th.

“This is something we do every four years. We do this because we have the right to strike. We always do this before the expiration of the agreement. It is nothing unusual.” Jimmy Settles was quoted as saying by Detroit Free Press. Meanwhile, the UAW is also in talks with General Motors and Chrysler. But the UAW gave up its right to strike at those companies in 2009.

While at Ford, which did not receive taxpayer assistance, UAW workers still have the right to strike. The financial secretary for the UAW Local 551, Scott Houldieson announced that he supports the strike vote given the fact that it “would help to give the bargaining team some leverage at the bargaining table.”

On the other hand, any labor argument between the UAW and the Detroit Three could damage the union’s image, explained Governor Matt Blunt, president of the American Automotive Policy Council. “I think it would be very damaging if there is not a demonstration of a good relationship between management and the union,” as the aforementioned source relates.