Ford Motor Companyand United Auto Workers (UAW) have announced plans to add more than 6,200 new US manufacturing jobs in the Midwest. Ford plans to convert nearly 3,000 temporary UAW-Ford workers to permanent full-time status. This will provide all hourly employees healthcare benefits on the first day of employment.
These actions, which come more than a year ahead of 2023 contract negotiations, are part of the company’s Ford+ growth strategy. Much of this is down to the electrification of the company in North America, including the production of the F-150 Lightning electric truck and an all-new electric commercial vehicle for Ford Pro customers.
This latest move by Ford is supported by $3.7 billion of investments in manufacturing facilities across Ohio, Michigan and Missouri. The new UAW-Ford manufacturing jobs are expected to result in the creation of an estimated 74,000 additional indirect non-Ford jobs nationally too.
Bill Ford, Ford executive chair, said: “Ford is America’s number one employer of hourly autoworkers, and this investment only deepens our commitment to building great new vehicles – from an all-new Mustang to new EVs – right here in the US in partnership with the UAW.
“I am proud that we are investing in the Midwest and taking real action to provide better benefits and working conditions for our workers on the plant floor.”
These actions come a year after the company detailed its Ford+ plan. This involves transforming its global automotive business, accelerating the development and scaling of breakthrough electric, connected vehicles.
Jim Farley, Ford CEO, said: “We’re investing in American jobs and our employees to build a new generation of incredible Ford vehicles and continue our Ford+ transformation.
“Transforming our company for the next era of American manufacturing requires new ways of working, and together with UAW leadership, we are leading the way and moving fast to make improvements to benefits for our hourly employees and working conditions for our factory teams.”
Ford plans to invest $1 billion over the next five years to continuously improve the workplace experience for manufacturing employees. As a result of discussions with the UAW, Ford is taking steps to identify and address the top wants and needs of employees.
Potential enhancements include better access to healthy food, new electric vehicle EV chargers in plant parking lots, better lighting in parking lots and more. While improvements will differ by plant, this is the first phase of workplace changes, with more to come.
Kumar Galhotra, Ford Blue president, said: “In many ways, Ford is America’s automaker and our relationship with the UAW is essential to our success. Our frontline manufacturing employees are the key to delivering what our customers want more of – amazing new electric vehicles like the F-150 Lightning.”
The $3.7 billion investment and more than 6,200 new union jobs announced spans three states and includes:
Michigan
$2 billion investment and 3,200 union jobs including the creation of nearly 2,000 jobs throughout three assembly plants in Michigan. This is to increase production of the all-new F-150 Lightning electric truckto 150,000 per year at Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Dearborn.
The investment also includes $35 million to build an all-new Ford Customer Service Division packaging facility in Monroe. This will create more than 600 union jobs, with operations expected to begin in 2024 to help accelerate parts shipments for Ford customers
Ohio
$1.5 billion investment and 1,800 union jobs to be created at the Ohio Assembly Plant. This is to assemble an all-new EV commercial vehicle starting mid-decade, along with an additional 90 jobs and $100 million investment between Lima Engine and Sharonville Transmission plants.
Mike DeWine, Ohio Governor, said: “The ingenuity and talent of Ohio’s automotive workforce is second to none, and Ford’s investment in Avon Lake will play an essential role in growing the EV space.
“Ford has been a partner in Ohio for generations, and its confidence in the Ford Ohio Assembly Plant operations secures EV operations in Lorain County that will be critical for decades to come.”
Missouri
$95 million investment and 1,100 union jobs for a third shift at Kansas City Assembly Plant to increase production of the Transit, America’s best-selling commercial van, and the all-new E-Transit electric van.
Ohio has held a key role in Ford’s history for 70 years. Ford currently has 7,000 employees in the state. Ohio Assembly Plant, where the new commercial electric vehicle will be assembled, currently produces E-Series vans, medium-duty trucks and super-duty chassis cabs.
Michael Parson, Missouri Governor, said: “Today’s announcement is great news for our state. For more than 70 years, hardworking Missourians have assembled iconic Ford vehicles.
“Now, these 1,100 new hourly jobs at the Kansas City Assembly Plant will increase production of the Transit and E-Transit commercial vans, driving Missouri’s economy forward.”
