Ford CEO Jim Farley Criticizes UAW President Shawn Fain in Contract Negotiations
In a recent news briefing, Ford CEO Jim Farley expressed his frustration with UAW President Shawn Fain and the slow pace of contract negotiations. Farley accused Fain and the UAW of holding the deal hostage over the construction of battery plants that have not yet been built.
Farley made it clear that none of Ford’s workers would lose their jobs due to battery plants during the current contract period or beyond. However, he warned that the size of Ford’s multibillion-dollar electric vehicle battery plant in Marshall could change depending on factors such as labor costs.
The CEO emphasized that the supply base is already on a knife’s edge, with many hourly jobs at risk as the strike continues. He even questioned whether the UAW was deliberately trying to create “industrial chaos.”
UAW President Shawn Fain swiftly responded to Farley’s allegations, accusing him of lying about the state of negotiations and failing to show up for bargaining sessions. Fain argued that Farley’s presence with a chief financial officer and chief labor negotiator during the news briefing was unusual and implied a lack of commitment to productive negotiations.
Despite the tension, Ford publicly praised Unifor workers in Canada for ratifying a three-year contract with a 15% wage increase. Farley emphasized that Ford had offered a historic contract that would benefit over 57,000 workers and expressed hope for a similar outcome in the U.S.
Farley also highlighted Ford’s support for the UAW and manufacturing in America, pointing out its significant job creation compared to its competitors. He warned of the devastating impact the billions in costs demanded by the UAW would have on the future of the domestic auto industry, the industrial Midwest, and good-paying manufacturing jobs.
In conclusion, Ford remains committed to reaching an agreement with the UAW, recognizing the vital role the union plays in the production of vehicles in the United States. The ongoing strike demonstrates that Ford cannot efficiently build vehicles without the collaboration and support of the UAW.
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