Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford has asked the United Auto Workers to work with the company to reach a deal, with the intent to end the UAW's strike against the auto industry.
The call by Ford to bring an end to the strike comes after it has lasted for over a month, starting on Sept. 14. In wanting to bring an end to "this acrimonious round of talks," Ford warned that both the auto industry and the UAW making the right choice in its feud was important for "the future of the American automobile industry.”
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“The UAW’s leaders have called us the enemy in these negotiations," Ford said. "But I will never consider our employees as enemies. This should not be Ford versus the UAW. It should be Ford and the UAW vs. Toyota and Honda, Tesla, and all the Chinese companies that want to enter our home.”
Ford also said that he wants to “elevate” the conversation about the negotiations between Ford Motors and the UAW.
On social media, Brandon Mancilla, a regional director for UAW, responded to Ford's request for the union to end its strike, telling him to "bring that energy to the table" and that it is "up to you" to end the strike. Mancilla's statement was shared by the UAW's social media account.
Bring that energy to the table. It’s up to you to end this strike https://t.co/FZZxiGHzin
— Brandon Mancilla (@mancillabrando) October 16, 2023
Ford's call to reach an agreement comes after the auto giant laid off almost 500 of its employees earlier this month. The total number of Ford employees who have been laid off since the start of the strike is 2,480.
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The UAW's strike against Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis, the three biggest automakers in Detroit, expanded last week to another 4,000 workers following the rejection of a deal from Mack Trucks. UAW President Shawn Fain said he was "inspired" to see members of the union "holding out for a better deal."
Earlier this month, Fain said “significant progress” had been made in talks with the Big Three automakers, telling union members that their strikes across the country had begun to move the needle in negotiations, winning some key concessions from the companies.