DETROIT – Ford Motor Co. has rejected a contract promise to invest $ 900 million in an assembly plant outside of Cleveland for an unnamed product line that will instead be produced in Mexico, United Auto Workers officials said.
“We reject 100% of the company’s decision to put corporate greed and make more potential profits on American jobs and the future of our members,” said Gerald Kariem, UAW vice president and director. in a letter sent to union members late last week.
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The promised investment at the Ohio assembly plant in Avon Lake was made during the 2019 contract negotiations. The plant currently has about 1,700 workers each hour who produce E-Series vans and Super Duty vans.
Kariem said UAW has asked Ford officials to explain the decision, but so far they have received limited information.
Plant manager Jason Moore sent a letter to workers saying conditions around the promised expansion have changed. Ford is investing in the Avon Lake plant and will increase production of Super Duty trucks there, Moore said.
Ford spokesman Kelli Felker declined to say what vehicle the company plans to make in Mexico.