Things are finally returning to normal as the aftershocks of the United Auto Workers (UAW) strike continue to dissipate. Workers that were laid off are steadily returning to work, and have been gradually streaming back to the Ford Cleveland Engine plant in Ohio, as per a recent report from WKYC.
On December 4th, 2023, FoMoCo announced that the 3,000 employees who were affected by the UAW strikes have now returned to work, including the remaining 186 employees who had been laid off at the Cleveland Engine plant. In fact, over 370 of the plant’s 1,800 employees had been laid off in early October, although some were able to return to work earlier than others as new conditions were agreed upon, allowing both parties to assume normal operations.
“Our production system is highly interconnected, which means the UAW’s targeted strike strategy had knock-on effects for facilities that were not directly targeted for a work stoppage,” Ford said in a statement.
All three assembly plants that were affected are now operating on their normal schedules. Extensive negotiations with Ford resulted in wage increases for workers, including cost-of-living adjustments, while top assembly plant workers received immediate raises and will earn roughly $42 an hour when current contracts expire. All said and done, things finally wrapped up in mid-November when the deal was ratified when 67 percent of Ford workers voted in its favor.
Looking ahead, the future of the Cleveland Engine plant seems promising. Ford is planning to invest $100 million into the facility and its operations, which is responsible for three EcoBoost engines: the 2.0L I4 EcoBoost, 2.3L I4 EcoBoost, and 3.5L V6 EcoBoost. Production of both EcoBoost four-cylinder engines and the V6 are slated to continue into 2028, even as the company makes a broad pivot away from internal combustion vehicles.
Want the latest on all things Ford? Be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for nonstop Ford news coverage.
Comment
the way Fords Ecoboost engines giving trouble….hopefully ..they offer a non Ecoboost engine..and non direct injection…for some of us customer who dont need the extra problems and power that comes with it…and i own one..1.5..in a Escape…i pay extra to get a 3.0 pushrod Vulcan v6 again