The United Auto Workers (UAW) union has set a strike deadline for Ford’s tool and die unit at the River Rouge complex if local contract issues are not resolved by Thursday, Sept. 26.
More than 500 workers in this unit could walk off the job at 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 25, according to UAW Vice President Chuck Browning, who received authorization from UAW President Shawn Fain to set the deadline. The dispute stems from the lack of a local agreement, which remains unresolved more than a year after the original contract deadline.
This looming strike is part of a broader wave of labor unrest within the UAW, with other units also threatening or engaging in walkouts. Recently, 525 UAW-represented workers at Eaton Aerospace in Jackson walked off the job after months of stalled negotiations. In another development, UAW President Fain announced potential strike votes against Stellantis following claims that the automaker intends to move Dodge Durango production from Detroit to Ontario, Canada. Stellantis has denied these claims, criticizing the UAW for making its grievances public.
The key issues driving the River Rouge tool and die unit’s negotiations include job security, wage parity for skilled trades, and work rule agreements. As the deadline approaches, both Ford and the UAW remain locked in discussions to resolve the impasse and prevent another strike from hitting the auto industry.
