Strikers Tell Ford Dealership to Shift Out of Reverse

http://blog.aflcio.org/2008/01/28/strikers-tell-ford-dealership-to-shift-out-of-reverse/

by James Parks, Jan 28, 2008

A year ago, Ford Motor Co. introduced a slogan “Way Forward” to tout its turnaround. But for the nearly 30 workers at the Valley Ford dealership in Hazelwood, Mo., the way is decidedly backward with management demanding pay cuts for workers and elimination of health care coverage.

Over the weekend, more than 300 union members and their families along with elected officials, turned out in the suburb of St. Louis to support the workers, members of the Machinists (IAM) and Teamsters. The workers walked out Nov. 1 after they could not reach a contract agreement with the dealership.

Robert Soutier, president of the Greater St. Louis Labor Council, says:

This fight affects all of labor in St. Louis, and we sent a message to Valley Ford that when you take on one of us, you get all of us.

The strike began after management demanded to gut paychecks, implement a two-tiered wage scale, replace the current pension plan with a less lucrative 401(k) plan, eliminate the employees family health care plan and increase employees’ portions for insurance to as high as $540 per month.

Most of the union dealerships in the area renewed expiring contracts several months ago. But Valley Ford rejected a contract similar to those agreed to by other union dealerships.

FULL story at link.