National union leaders have stated unions will try to help fix the jobs problem in the country if nobody else will. Here is some evidence that they are trying.
Ford to Add 7,000 Jobs Over the Next Two Years in U.S. The righties will argue that Ford is the "job creator" here, but in reality, the "job creator" likely would have created jobs somewhere other than in the U.S. As part of their contract negotiations, the United Auto Workers is asking for more U.S. jobs.
Ford is discussing adding as many as 10,000 jobs in the U.S. in negotiations with the United Auto Workers union on a new four-year contract, according to three people familiar with the talks.
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The discussion about creating 10,000 jobs is part of high- level negotiations between Ford and UAW President Bob King over wages, benefits, and employment gains in the new contract and is still subject to change, said the people, who asked not to be identified revealing internal deliberations.
“Job reduction in 2009 was severe, so Ford must be restoring the headcount from then,” [Ashvin] Chotai [London-based managing director for Intelligence Automotive Asia]said
Certainly, a large portion of these jobs would be the lower paid Tier 2 jobs, but more U.S. jobs would be good. What products and facilities that these jobs would go to isn't clear, but other sources indicate Ford may move production of the mid-size Fusion to the U.S. from Mexico.
According to Bloomberg News, Ford and the union have discussed adding as many as 10,000 jobs in the U.S., and may bring production of the Fusion mid-size sedan here from Mexico.
A person familiar with the discussions said the number of jobs is inaccurate and Ford will not move all Fusion production to the U.S.
However, Ford is planning to launch the next generation Fusion from same platform as Ford’s European Mondeo. Ford builds the Fusion in Hermosillo, Mexico, where it employs 3,335 workers.
These are only talks, and no final agreement has been inked.
Of course, negotiating for more jobs means possible concessions elsewhere. In the big picture, how much value should the union put on jobs over other pay and benefit increases?
And as an aside, Ford CEO Alan Mulally had this to say about the economy:
"In the U.S., we're still seeing economic expansion," Alan Mulally, chief executive of the second-largest U.S. automaker, told a small group of reporters in Bangkok. "We're very encouraged by the recovery even though it is slower than in the past."
It is an interesting contrast what "real" business thinks of the economy compared to the way the right wing politicos descibe it.
This is my first attempt at a diary, be kind.