http://www.freep.com/article/20091102/BUSINESS01/91102060/1210/business/UAW-announces-defeat-of-Ford-agreement----

UAW announces defeat of Ford agreement
BY BRENT SNAVELY
FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITER


The UAW officially announced today that its membership has defeated a proposal to modify the union’s labor agreement with Ford Motor Co.
The UAW said 70% of the membership in production and 75% in skilled trades voted to reject the agreement.

Ford had said it needed the contract modifications to be competitive and to match agreements provided to General Motors Co. and Chrysler Group LLC last spring. The Free Press reported Saturday that the contract had no chance of ratification because an overwhelming majority of members at UAW units across the United States were opposed to the deal.

“We appreciate the participation of our Ford members who took the time to debate the modifications and cast their vote,” UAW vice president Bob King said in a statement today. “The ratification process proves once again that the membership is the highest authority in our union and we are respectful of the final outcome.”

The UAW, in its statement today, said the union does not plan on returning to the bargaining table.

In response, Ford issued a separate statement today that said it appreciated the efforts of the UAW’s leadership, which recommended the proposal to its members, and plans to talk to the union about what comes next.

“Ford is disappointed that the additional changes were not ratified,” Joe Hinrichs, Ford’s group vice president of global manufacturing and labor affairs, said in a statement. “The additional modifications we sought recently were designed to honor pattern bargaining and provide Ford with similar additional efficiencies as those ratified this year for our domestic competitors.”

Ford issued a separate statement today that said it appreciated the efforts of the UAW’s leadership, which recommended the proposal to its members...

Management much appreciates the efforts of the union leadership in representing management's position to the members, and in trying to shove management's position down their throats...


...and plans to talk to the union about what comes next.

...and will be consulting with union leadership about how the members were able to derail management's plans, so that they can work together to make sure that never happens again.

All stakeholders needs and desires will be met. All stakemakers will be screwed.

Ford issued a separate statement today that said it appreciated the efforts of the UAW’s leadership, which recommended the proposal to its members...

Management much appreciates the efforts of the union leadership in representing management's position to the members, and in trying to shove management's position down their throats...


...and plans to talk to the union about what comes next.

...and will be consulting with union leadership about how the members were able to derail management's plans, so that they can work together to make sure that never happens again.

All stakeholders needs and desires will be met. All stakemakers will be screwed.


Thanks for the translation, Mike, I'm real dense at times. Get out the cigars, I guess? We need some labor actions against the union leaders it seems...