United Auto Worker union members at Ford ’s Kansas City, Missouri truck and SUV plant voted down a proposed labor contract on Sunday, throwing the automaker’s labor plans into question. Ford is seeking UAW concessions similar to those given to General Motors and Chrysler .
UAW Local 249 voted down the proposed concessions by a wide 1,712 to 147 margin, marking a 92 percent opposed rate. The new contract would have frozen entry-level wage rates, consolidated skilled trades and enacted a no-strike clause. The proposed contract would have extended until 2015.
The Kansas City plant produces the Ford F-150 , Ford Escape , Mazda Tribute and Mercury Mariner.
Although similar contracts have been passed at two other Ford plants, the majority of Ford workers don’t feel the concessions are necessary as Ford is in better financial condition that GM or Chrysler . The Kansas City rejection marks the third at a Ford plant.
However, with new contracts now in place between the UAW and GM and Chrysler, Ford appears to be at a distinct disadvantage. Pending the approval of the UAW labor concessions, Ford’s labor costs will be far greater than at either of its cross-town rivals, possibly putting the Blue Oval in jeopardy of its own bankruptcy filing down the road.
