Ford, union reach deal on small-car plant

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.upi.com/Business_News/2010/10/09/Ford-union-reach-deal-on-small-car-plant/UPI-38321286646643/

Published: Oct. 9, 2010 at 1:50 PM

DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 9 (UPI) -- The United Auto Workers and Ford Motor Co. avoided wage changes in a tentative contract for workers at the Michigan Assembly Plant, a union official said.

The deal would allow Ford to go forward with plans to build the Ford Focus compact car at the plant, the Detroit Free Press reported Saturday.

The deal, although structured differently than one union workers at General Motors agreed to earlier in the week, could be critical for the future of the industry, as it allows Ford to make a profit with a small car.

At GM, workers agreed to a two-tier wage structure that sets some pay at $14 per hour and some at $28 per hour. Some GM workers, angered by the plan, have scheduled a protest, the newspaper said.

FULL story at link.