Ford Motor executives tonight presented their version of the latest developments in the 2023 UAW contract negotiations with a notable and commendable change in tone from the initial Ford response last night that led with “The decision by the UAW to call a strike at Ford’s Kentucky Truck Plant is grossly irresponsible but unsurprising given the union leadership’s stated strategy of keeping the Detroit 3 wounded for months through “reputational damage” and “industrial chaos.” (AutoInformed: No Surprise as UAW Strikes at Ford’s Kentucky Truck Plant)
Let’s hope this leads to a mutually agreeable deal that both sides can endorse and thrive on together in solidarity, so to speak. Kumar Galhotra, president of the internal combustion Ford Blue operation, said that the Ford had stretched to include a +20% pay raise over four years and other benefit increases. He also said that Ford is open to moving money around within the categories of the offer to help meet UAW requests, but that at the moment the total amount of money on the table is final.
Click for more Ford observations.
Ford Motor Points
- Super Duty is the work truck of choice for top industries. And this strike hurts their ability to get the trucks they need for employees.
- 8700 workers are now earning strike pay instead of full pay and this will hurt their truck plant Wilder profit sharing.
- More than 600 suppliers serve Kentucky truck plant. They will have to lay off workers.
- For Ford dealers Super Duty. is more than 10% of their sales. Navigator is more than 20% of sales for Lincoln dealers. This immediately impacts their customers, who range from small to large business owners because they rely on the Super duty for their livelihood. For all the jobs that exist. Because of Kentucky truck we’re talking over well over 100,000 families potentially feeling the impact.
- For the Economy Ford employs more than 2000 people in Kentucky and supports a state GDP contribution of nearly $12 billion. That’s a good thing.
- Being profitable benefits everyone associated with Ford. Kentucky truck plant sustains jobs and factories that aren’t as profitable. It’s part of how we maintain the full portfolio vehicles for our customers.
- It’s also part of how we fund our EV investments and the modernization of our company.
- If Kentucky truck plant were a standalone business, that revenue would be more than Southwest Airlines; More than Marriott international; more than Nordstrom. Much of that is driven by Super Duty.
- We’re talking about America’s best-selling truck for 46 straight years, and best-selling vehicle since 1981. All of our full-size trucks are assembled in America with UW labor, which is unique to us.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Ford Thoughts on the UAW Strike at Kentucky Truck Plant
Ford Motor executives tonight presented their version of the latest developments in the 2023 UAW contract negotiations with a notable and commendable change in tone from the initial Ford response last night that led with “The decision by the UAW to call a strike at Ford’s Kentucky Truck Plant is grossly irresponsible but unsurprising given the union leadership’s stated strategy of keeping the Detroit 3 wounded for months through “reputational damage” and “industrial chaos.” (AutoInformed: No Surprise as UAW Strikes at Ford’s Kentucky Truck Plant)
Let’s hope this leads to a mutually agreeable deal that both sides can endorse and thrive on together in solidarity, so to speak. Kumar Galhotra, president of the internal combustion Ford Blue operation, said that the Ford had stretched to include a +20% pay raise over four years and other benefit increases. He also said that Ford is open to moving money around within the categories of the offer to help meet UAW requests, but that at the moment the total amount of money on the table is final.
Click for more Ford observations.
Ford Motor Points
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.