United Auto Workers members at two more Ford plants have rejected a concession deal agreed between national union leaders and the automaker.
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Production and skilled workers at Ford’s Sharonville and Batavia transmission plants in Ohio voted down more cost concessions with 75% of votes cast against the changes.
According to Dow Jones Newswires, seven UAW branches [‘locals’] have so far voted against the changes while four have approved the concessions. Ford has said it needs the contract modifications in order to stay competitive.
Opposition has been building as UAW branches approach the end of the voting process which is slated to conclude on Saturday (31 October).
Contract changes agreed earlier this monthfreeze new recruits’ wages and bar the union from striking to the end of 2011. These same concessions were approved by UAW members for General Motors and Chrysler Group as part of bankruptcy restructuring.
Ford sweetened the deal in the tentative agreement by including a US$1,000 bonus to workers to reward their contributions to improving vehicle quality, Dow Jones noted.
Branches representing Ford’s Kentucky and Dearborn Truck Assembly plants have yet to vote and both are expected to reject the concessions, the report added.
