As the United Auto Workers (UAW) strike recently passed the one-month mark, both Ford and the union are not only negotiating a deal behind closed doors, but the two sides continue to battle it out in the court of public opinion as well. Just yesterday, FoMoCo chairman Bill Ford noted that this showdown shouldn’t be about the automaker versus the UAW, but rather, called for the sides to work together against a more common threat – their non-unionized rivals such as Toyota, Honda, Tesla, and Chinese automakers. Now, UAW President Shawn Fain has criticized those remarks via a post on the social media platform X.
UAW PRESIDENT SHAWN FAIN’S RESPONSE TO COMMENTS MADE TODAY BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY EXECUTIVE CHAIR, BILL FORD
“Bill Ford knows exactly how to settle this strike. Instead of threatening to close the Rouge, he should call up Jim Farley, tell him to stop playing games and get a deal…
— UAW (@UAW) October 16, 2023
“Bill Ford knows exactly how to settle this strike,” Fain wrote. “Instead of threatening to close the Rouge, he should call up Jim Farley, tell him to stop playing games and get a deal done, or we’ll close the Rouge for him. It’s not the UAW and Ford against foreign automakers. It’s autoworkers everywhere against corporate greed. If Ford wants to be the all-American auto company, they can pay all-American wages and benefits. Workers at Tesla, Toyota, Honda, and others are not the enemy – they’re the UAW members of the future. Ford’s ability to invest in the future isn’t just a talking point…if we lose it…many jobs will be lost…we’ll lose factories like the one we’re in here today.”
Fain is referring to Ford’s decision to temporarily cut one shift from Ford F-150 Lightning production at the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center, which it stated is happening due to supply chain constraints and isn’t related to the ongoing UAW strike. Last week, the union surprised Ford by walking out of the Kentucky Truck Plant – a move that affected 13 other facilities – and has led to a total of 2,480 layoffs since the strike began in mid-September.
We’ll have more on the UAW strike soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for the latest Ford-UAW news, UAW news, and 24/7 Ford news coverage.
Comments
The Unions aren’t the only thing bankrupting Ford, their EV agenda is going to be a catastrophe. Farley along with the Unions are destroying Ford. I see a Toyota in my future, been a Ford guy and on time employee for 75 years, however not much longer it appears.
I see Toyota in my future too after a lifetime buying nothing but domestics. It’s ironic when Fain brings up the topic of greed. The UAW and Ford are cut from the same mold. They deserve each other.
I see a non-Ford in my future also but not necessarily an overpriced, undercontented Toyota. My issue has nothing to do with the strike but with poor engine engineering.
Look at German made cars. Best decision I ever made. I can’t believe the sheer difference in quality and performance.
The UAW isn’t bankrupting or destroying Ford. Don’t believe the media. Ford has enough money to press parts in Michigan and ship multiple trucks a day to Kentucky. Bill Ford going on TV and getting all pissy is just because they’re mad about the strike at KTP. The UAW worked to keep the Big 3 around and it’s time to bring back what we lost.
Like I’ve said before, this is going to be a LONG strike and it won’t end well for either the Big 3 or the UAW.
We’ll see. I’m hoping to hear something this week.
The UAW and the 3 domestics do not exist in a vacuum. The non union foreign brand plants located within the US is a reality that must be acknowledged.
America can not afford to loose more jobs to Mexico.
Uaws head claiming the imports are not the enemy, as true as that may be, but they are here. To not recognize that is short sighed foolishness.
If the 20%-23% PLUS COLA has truly been offered that is not only a substantial raise but the COLA means a hedge against inflation so in reality the increase is over and above the %20-%23 stated.
Let the strike time to bring in scabs and get things done. They will find out real quick that a union person isn’t needed to do an unskilled job
Anybody can do the jobs at any plant. It isn’t hard. It’s the constant 50 hour work weeks and repetitive stress on the body. Have to use the bathroom? You better hope your line leader isn’t busy because otherwise you’re waiting until break because if you stop that line you pretty much lose your job. That’s the side people don’t see. Let the scabs do it and quit. I don’t care what they get paid. We need to change the way people view work and compensation.
100 % of my cars and suvs sine my first Ford in 1966 have been built by UAW members. Never again. I look forward to buying my first European assembled car!!!!
Honestly, you’ll love it. The quality is simply unmatched. I wish the Big 3 would take a note from Mercedes and BMW since they want to charge 50k or more for their vehicles these days.
There is no way Honda or Toyota will ever allow the UAW in. After watching the UAW hold Ford hostage, there is now way it will ever be considered. They are getting a tremendous wage increase and make more than most. Initially they shored up wages and benefits but now wanting the EV’s included or they won’t go back to work is extortion and not good faith bargaining. They haven’t even hired those people yet, and with the crap the UAW is pulling, why would anybody want to join them anyway.
Who cares if Toyota or Honda unionize or not. I’d rather them shut down and move all their work to Mexico anyway.
They won’t ever shut down because they are not unionized and their employees don’t hold them hostage with unrealistic demands. They got their jobs, pay increases to 6 figures in 4 years and benefits. Most people lost their job during the pandemic, it was an awful time for everybody, why the UAW wants more than their share when everybody is hurting is a poor move by Fain. In order for Unions to work, the company has to thrive too.
All of you pro-union people need to watch Sandy Munro’s video on this subject.
And?
Fain – I would ask a couple of questions which seem to be hidden in all the news coverage. What is the average pay you are using in your argument for the UAW worker? Do you account for the medical benefits paid by Ford in your basis for UAW pay?
I see some reports showing average between $28 – $30 / hour for permanent employees. If true, this equates to $58240 / yr. (contract offered 20% plus $81536)
In my opinion, another mark of pay is the benefits offered. This is where the UAW is way beyond the average working American.
This is the listing I found from the 2019 Ford UAW negotiations:
Benefits
UAW-represented full-time hourly employees do not pay any healthcare premiums or deductibles. According to a 2018 survey by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, just 7 percent of employees in the U.S. do not pay a deductible for single or family coverage. The survey drew responses from more than 675 companies representing 20 different industries.
Ford’s annual healthcare expense for active UAW hourly employees is expected to top $1 billion in 2020. (What is that cost today?)
So, back to the question, what is your fair share? What is the real #$ you are trying to get with these negotiations? (besides your blanket statement of 40%)
What if the company cannot survive and there are no jobs?
NO ONE WINS!
I agree… I am an IT professional and make a decent salary. My company offers medical insurance benefits at the EMPLOYEE cost of $19,000 per year! I have NEVER in 30 years in this industry NOT paid a large monthly cost for my family’s medical insurance. That is a HUGE benefit!
I’m retired from my union job. I never liked those thugs.
Why do the other non-union manufacturers thrive?
The Big 3 are striving too. I think it’s mainly because the Big 3 acquired a bad quality rep from constant recalls. Henry Ford’s vision were vehicles that the average person could afford. We simply aren’t there anymore in terms of cost. It’s sad.
It is just math. The end point is the cost of labor drives the cost of a vehicle beyond the reach of many. So, production goes down as demand goes down then the labor force is adjusted to meet demand. And Mr. Fain will still eat his steak dinners and enjoy that UAW retreat in Michigan.
Hermasillo may need to expand further to take on the F 250-350 series I dont see paying employees more money for less work as being an efficient solution to retaining American jobs.
I agree. I can see Ford wanting to move more production of their key products to Mexico or Canada where the labor relationships are more stable. There was a time when the union was necessary to look after the well being of the employees and to ensure they got a fair shake. But it seems they have turned to strong arm tactics and are looking after themselves more than their members or the company.