Ford and UAW Add New Jobs and Plan New Vehicles

Together with United Auto Workers, Ford Motor Company recently announced the addition of over 6,200 new manufacturing jobs in the Midwest. On top of this, almost 3,000 temporary UAW-Ford workers will be shifting to permanent full-time status with healthcare benefits. The new jobs will help to encourage growth for Ford+ as well as aiding the development of several new vehicles, including an all-new global Mustang coupe, a Ranger pickup for North America, and an all-new electric commercial vehicle for Ford Pro customers.

“Ford is America’s Number 1 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 U.S. in partnership with the UAW,” said Bill Ford, executive chair of Ford. “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 new jobs will be located at manufacturing facilities in Ohio, Michigan and Missouri and supported by $3.7 billion of investments. Formal negotiations over the UAW contract won’t actually be happening until 2023, making the addition of the new jobs and the investment a slight change to tradition, as they would typically wait until negotiations. However, because these new developments have been made with cooperation from the UAW, Ford has more flexibility to move up the time frame, identifying and addressing the top wants and needs of employees.

“This announcement is a testament to UAW members who contribute their skill, experience and knowledge to the success of Ford Motor Company,” said UAW President Ray Curry. “We are always advocating to employers and legislators that union jobs are worth the investment. Ford stepped up to the plate by adding these jobs and converting 3,000 UAW members to permanent, full-time status with benefits.”

Michigan will total $2 billion worth of the investment and 3,200 jobs. About 2,000 of those jobs will be dedicated to increasing production rates for the F-150 Lightning truck, as well as producing an all-new Ranger and an all-new Mustang coupe. Ohio will receive $1.5 billion and 1,800 jobs, with a focus on developing an all-new EV commercial vehicle over the course of the next few years. Missouri will receive $95 million and 1,100 jobs, with a focus on increasing production of the Transit and the E-Transit electric van.

“We’re investing in American jobs and our employees to build a new generation of incredible Ford vehicles and continue our Ford+ transformation,” said Ford President and CEO Jim Farley. “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.”