The Big Three automaker with the largest contingent of U.S. workers will now wait to see if its tentative contract will be approved.
The United Auto Workers announced Friday afternoon that its national council, which oversees the 55,000 members employed by the Ford Motor Company, approved the tentative agreement. The council consists of the heads of union locals across the U.S. that represent Ford employees. Starting Monday, the rank-and-file will begin voting on the contract.
Rory Gamble, UAW vice-president and director of the UAW-Ford Department, said the agreement helps keep Ford employees in the U.S. on the cutting-edge of the auto industry.
"We are proud that UAW-Ford members through this contract will continue to be the largest U.S. auto workforce and build the most products here at home," said Gamble in a statement posted on the official UAW website. "This contract reflects the hard work, sacrifice and quality work of UAW members as they lead the U.S. auto industry."
Despite Ford being the number-two North American automaker behind General Motors, Ford's U.S. workforce is the largest of the Big Three.
The Detroit News reported Friday that the tentative Ford-UAW deal follows much of the template set by the contract approved by GM workers. For wages, the Ford agreement is the same, with a three per cent raise in the second and fourth years of the contract, and a four per cent lump sum in the first and third years.
Permanent full-time employees will receive a $9,000 ratification bonus, less than their GM counterparts. Temporary employees will get a $3,500 bonus, also less than GM. Health care costs and the profit-sharing formula will remain unchanged.
Ford was the fifth biggest global auto manufacturer in 2018, after Toyota, Volkswagen, Hyundai-Kia and GM.
Ford's two facilities in Windsor-Essex are not directly affected by the contract talks, though they provide parts to U.S. factories. Those facilities are the Windsor Engine Plant and the Essex Engine Plant. Ford's Canadian headquarters and main assembly plant are in Oakville, Ontario.
Vote totals are to be received at the UAW's Detroit headquarters by November 15. If the contract is ratified, the UAW will then turn its attention to the one remaining Big Three automaker, Chrysler.
