Union may face a tougher fight at Ford

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/auto-workers-may-face-tougher/story.aspx?guid=%7B97843100-928A-4A3B-89EE-F6FCD35DB96C%7D&dist=MostTopHome

By Shawn Langlois, MarketWatch
Last Update: 1:02 PM ET Oct 11, 2007

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- The United Auto Workers, fresh off two short strikes and two significant labor deals, has saved the toughest for last.

Ford Motor Co., financially strapped and shedding market share, could prove to be the most challenging of Detroit's Big Three, as the union attempts to defend industry-leading wages and benefits negotiated during better times.

The UAW certainly has shown its willingness to play ball as U.S. automakers struggle to remain relevant. The membership ratified the latest General Motors Corp. deal with 66% approval. That's a low number by historical standards, yet still a strong endorsement considering the concessions, including lower wages for new hourly workers.

Chrysler, with private-equity owner Cerberus Capital Management squaring off against the UAW for the first time, came to terms with the union after a quick work stoppage gave blue-collar workers a chance throw their weight around and let off some steam, if only for a few hours. See related story.
Union President Ron Gettelfinger said in a Detroit radio interview Thursday that he now hopes to hammer out a deal with Ford "without any kind of altercation."

Still, the Blue Oval's bargaining team might be forced to bare its teeth a bit more than the others.
"Ford really doesn't have as much negotiation power as GM; there isn't as much fat to cut," said Catherine Madden, analyst at Global Insight. "Union leaders need to step up and tell members if they want to see a view of the world in 2012 with Ford in it, they have to bend."

FULL story at link.