Ford Will ‘Think Carefully’ About Where It Builds Vehicles After UAW Strike

Ford Will ‘Think Carefully’ About Where It Builds Vehicles After UAW Strike

Ford Will ‘Think Carefully’ About Where It Builds Vehicles After UAW Strike

Last September, the United Auto Workers (UAW) union went on strike towards Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis. The UAW hit the automakers of their pocketbooks, strategically concentrating on sure crops for probably the most affect. For Ford, that was its worthwhile Kentucky truck plant, which now has the automaker pondering “carefully” about the place it will produce its future autos.

Ford CEO Jim Farley commented about its relationship with the UAW in the course of the Wolfe Research Global Auto Conference, including that it has modified. According to the Associated Press, Farley mentioned Ford having the first truck plant shut down does have an effect on the enterprise.

2023 Ford Super Duty production

Days after employees stopped constructing the Super Duty in Kentucky, Ford Motor Company Executive Chair Bill Ford went to the Rouge Visitor Center in Michigan, the place it builds the F-150, to ask union members to “come together to bring an end to this acrimonious round of talks.” Bill mentioned the choice to close down the Louisville manufacturing unit harmed “tens of thousands of Americans.”

The strike at Ford’s Louisville manufacturing unit started on October 11, practically a month after the UAW kicked off its strike, placing 8,700 extra employees on the picket line. During the negotiations, the union would additionally target Ram 1500 and Chevrolet Suburban and Yukon production, however Ford has the best variety of union members of the three automakers.

2023 Ford Super Duty production
2023 Ford Super Duty production

The UAW suspended its strike on the finish of October, reaching agreements with Ford, Stellantis, and General Motors earlier than Halloween. The UAW membership voted to ratify the three contracts by Thanksgiving, ending the six-week standoff and profitable raises, higher advantages, an finish to the two-tiered employment system, and extra.

The elevated wages and advantages will improve the value of vehicles. Ford mentioned its autos will value $900 extra as a result of contract as soon as it is in impact. Like the remainder of the business, the automaker is navigating the transition to electrical autos. It has needed to rethink its technique, specializing in smaller, extra inexpensive EVs within the face of encroaching Chinese competitors.