UAW's Talks with Ford Moving Slowly

08/01/96

Reuters reported that UAW Local 900 President Jeff Washington characterized the union's contract talks with Ford as proceeding slowly. Washington, a member of the UAW's bargaining committee, toured Ford's Wayne, Michigan truck plant where 3,500 members of local 900 work. Washington said discussions so far have centered on health and safety issues, quality control, and outsourcing (the use of outside--and often overseas and/or non-union--suppliers). Washington declined to elaborate on specific demands by either side.

Describing the talks Washington said, "It's going slowly. They won't get anything done until we pick the strike target." Washington will try to convince UAW president Stephen Yokich to pick Ford as the union's strike target. He says, "we think we can set a better pattern at Ford."

Washington said a new three-crew production system under which UAW members work four 10-hour days per week is going smoothly, and has established Local 900 as one of the "most progressive" locals at Ford.

UAW president Stephen Yokich has said the union will select a target around Aug. 22. The union will then concentrate its bargaining efforts on that company, trying to reach a tentative agreement before the current contract expires Sept. 15. If they succeed, the UAW will then use the new agreement as a pattern for the other two automakers to follow.

Paul Dever -- The Auto Channel