OEMs

Ford Makes Plan to Keep Parts Depots Running in Case of Strike: Report

Written by Ethan Bernard

August 18, 2023

Ford Motor Co. is getting white-collar workers ready to do blue-collar jobs at parts depots in the event of a strike, according to an article in The Detroit Free Press on Thursday.

In case a strike should occur, the Dearborn, Mich.-based automaker is preparing to send out salaried workers to 20 sites in 15 states with Ford parts depots, according to the paper, which said it reviewed internal company documents.

“We have a responsibility to our customers and dealers to ship the parts that keep Ford vehicles on the road – especially to keep first responders and other essential services running,” a Ford spokesperson said in an email statement to SMU on Friday.

“Like we would for any scenario where customer service could be interrupted, Ford is planning for the possibility of a work stoppage. Safety and customer service are top priorities for us,” the spokesperson added.

Recall that contract negotiations between the United Auto Workers (UAW) union and the Detroit Three Automakers – Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis – began in July. The current contracts are set to expire at 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 14.

Ethan Bernard

Ethan Bernard is a reporter and editor for Steel Market Update. He previously worked for American Metal Market as a copy editor in the New York office for two years starting in 2008. Later, he copy edited AMM’s monthly magazine on a freelance basis from 2015 until 2017. With experience in financial copywriting and textbook publishing, he holds a BA in Comparative Literature from UC Berkeley, and an MFA. in Creative Writing from New York University. He can be reached at ethan@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-759-7871.

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