Ford, UAW avoid strike at Kansas City plant

Ford Motor Co. and the United Auto Workers avoided a strike at the automaker’s Kansas City Assembly Plant after coming to a tentative agreement on a local labor contract at 11:08 p.m. Friday, according to UAW-Ford Department Vice President Jimmy Settles.

The plant produces Ford’s profitable F-150 pickup, as well as the Transit van.

“I would like to extend my sincerest appreciate to Chairman Todd Hillyard and the local bargaining committee, along with representatives from the UAW National Ford Department, for working diligently to reach a deal that meets the needs of the Local 239 KCAP Membership,” Settles said in a statement late Friday. “I would further like to thank the hardworking men and women of KCAP for their strength, and our entire membership for their support and solidarity.”

Ford said in a statement early Saturday, “Working with our UAW partners, we have resolved the open items at Kansas City Assembly Plant and have agreed to a tentative local agreement. Plant operations will continue as scheduled

The union gave Ford a required five-day strike notice on Tuesday after failing to reach a local labor deal. A strike deadline of 1 p.m. Sunday had been set.

Hillyard said the two sides were at an impasse over issues regarding safety, seniority and manpower at the 4-million-square-foot plant.

“I think we have reached an agreement that our members will be proud of,” Hillyard said in a statement on Facebook. “I have to commend my bargaining committee for working long days and nights through this process with me.”

A lengthy strike would have been devastating, analysts say. Ford last month achieved near-normal inventory levels of its F-150 for the first time since a lengthy shutdown as it transitioned to the new model with an aluminum body. Ford said this week it ended September with about a supply of about 100,000 trucks. Ford does not disclose daily production numbers, but the Kansas City plant likely produces more than a thousand trucks a day.

National labor negotiations are currently on hold as the union works with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.

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