Ford has notified 308 UAW members who work in Michigan and Ohio that they will be “immediately” changed from temporary to full-time status, the Free Press has learned.
Ahead of the schedule outlined by its negotiated labor contract, Ford will be promoting 79 workers at the Flat Rock Assembly Plant in Flat Rock that builds the Ford Mustang and 229 at the Ohio Assembly Plant in Avon Lake that builds E-Series vans, medium-duty trucks and Super Duty chassis cabs, said Kelli Felker, Ford global manufacturing and labor communications manager.
Employees learned the news late Friday.
The automaker and the union issued joint congratulations.
“We are pleased to confirm that we are converting all temporary employees at Flat Rock and Ohio assembly plants to full time Ford employees and appreciate their hard work,” Felker told the Free Press late Friday.
Earlier this month, Ford notified 290 workers at Kansas City Assembly Plant that builds the Ford F-150 and the Transit Van they would be changed from temporary to full-time status.
More:Ford UAW workers building F-Series start year with better benefits, promotions
More:Private moments with Ford CEO Jim Farley reveal how he works
More:Ford Motor Co. reports $1.8B net income in Q3, will restore dividend in Q4
In 2018, UAW leaders surveyed members about the crucial issues to address in 2019 contract talks. Hiring temp workers as permanent employees topped the list, union members said. And the most recent four-year contract deal with General Motors, Ford and Stellantis created a defined path.
People work in plants for years as temps with unpredictable work schedules, lower pay and fewer benefits. The change brings, among other things, job security.
“Through the power of collective bargaining, the 2019 contract with Ford has created a life-changing path for represented Ford temporary workers to progress into full-time UAW production members,” Brian Rothenberg, UAW spokesperson, told the Free Press earlier this month and restated again Friday.
Downtime due to supply chain
Meanwhile, Felker confirmed that Ford’s production schedules continue to see disruption in North America because of semiconductors shortages.
On Friday, Ford said it planned a down week starting Nov. 1 at:
- Ohio Assembly Plant
- Louisville Assembly Plant in Kentucky that builds the Ford Escape and Lincoln Corsair
- Kansas City Assembly Plant in Claycomo, Missouri, Transit Van production only
- Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville that builds the Super Duty, Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator
“Importantly, Kansas City Assembly Plant F-150 production is not affected,” Felker emphasized.
On Saturday, Ford confirmed a down week starting Nov. 1 elsewhere in North America:
- Oakville Assembly Plant in Ontario, Canada, that builds the Ford Edge and Lincoln Nautilus
- Hermosillo Stamping and Assembly Plant in Mexico that builds the Ford Maverick and Bronco Sport
- Cuautitlan Stamping and Assembly Plant in Mexico that builds the all-electric Mustang Mach-E
More:I drove a Ford Mustang Mach-E for 10 days — and it was incredible
More:How a simple box design is saving the auto industry millions of dollars: ‘It’s amazing’
Contact Phoebe Wall Howard:313-618-1034 orphoward@freepress.com.Follow her on Twitter@phoebesaid. Read more on Ford and sign up for our autos newsletter.