by J.D. Davidson
More than 300 striking auto workers at Ford’s Brook Park plant are preparing today for layoffs as the United Auto Workers strike against the nation’s Big Three automakers continues.
The UAW Local 1250 on its website told laid-off workers to register for strike assistance pay and Ohio unemployment benefits. About 370 total workers are expected to be impacted by the lay-off.
In a memo to workers, the union said Ford “blatantly disregarded our seniority agreements and has decided to lay off the I-4 Department and ignoring our seniority agreements. The National Ford Department will be filing Unfair Labor Practice charges against the Company regarding this matter.”
Workers build Ford’s EcoBoost engines at the Cleveland Engine Plant No. 1 in Brook Park.
Ford officials have said more layoffs could come at plants in Lima, Ohio, and in Michigan.
The UAW strike against Ford, General Motors and Stellantis entered its fourth week Monday with around 25,000 workers on the picket lines.
The strike impacts more than 40 locations in Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Colorado, Illinois, Nevada, Oregon, Georgia, Virginia, Florida, New York, Massachusetts, California, Kentucky, Texas, West Virginia, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee and Pennsylvania.
Also on Monday, the UAW rejected a proposed contract by a 73 percent “no” vote and swore to strike Volvo-Group-owned Mack Trucks in three states.
The UAW voted against ratification of a new five-year collective bargaining agreement covering about 3,900 employees in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Florida.
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JD Davidson is a regional editor at The Center Square.
Photo “UAW Striker” by UAW.
