UAW, Ford Put an End to Job Security

Ford Motor has begun transferring workers to a Detroit-area parts plant as it begins implementation of an agreement with the United Auto Workers to phase out a program that once provided near total job security to union workers.

The first 50 Ford workers began work at the parts plant in Saline, Michigan this week, displacing existing workers covered by a separate UAW contract with Visteon.

By shifting a still undetermined number of Ford workers to the plant and putting other Visteon workers on permanent layoff from April, the automaker will be able to clear workers from the jobs bank program.

Ford, like General Motors and Chrysler, has reached tentative contract agreements with the UAW as the automakers slash costs and preserve cash.

The only US automaker to not seek a federal bailout, Ford has moved faster than its rivals in winning deals with the UAW.