Armstrong

A lockout is a work stoppage in which an employer prevents employees from working. This is different from a strike, in which employees refuse to work. Causes of a lockout may happen for several reasons. When only part of a trade union votes to strike, the purpose of a lockout is to put pressure on a union by reducing the number of members who are able to work. For example, if the anticipated strike severely hampers work of non-striking workers, the employer may declare a lockout until the workers end the strike. Another case in which an employer may impose a lockout is to avoid slowdowns or intermittent work-stoppages. Other times, and most widely used by employers a lockout occurs when union membership rejects the company's offer at negotiations and offers to return to work under the same conditions of employment as existed under the now-expired contract. In such a case, the lockout is designed to pressure the workers into accepting the terms of the company's renegotiated often less than the original tentative. Under federal labor law, an employer may hire replacements during a lockout. In a strike, unless it is an unfair labor practice (ULP) strike, an employer may legally hire permanent replacements.

Thanks Jeff The plants voting this agreement down are putting us all in a irreversible vortex that will ultimately end up in a strike. The negotiating team got a good fair agreement especially the "have not" plants. I dont see them getting a better agreement unless they strike. Truth is that the company more than likely will enjoy the strike as a way of forcing less than the current agreement we have Winter is coming and so is a long cold strike Solidarity is broken, the plants that need the job security will lose the most and we will end up settling for less not to mention the measly $200 per week strike pay

+1

If this contract is voted down, advantage = company They will starve us, tempt us to go on strike so they can take away everything gained in the current tentative agreement Fools vote no risk all of our futures and earnings

Most of us live week to week and cant live on $200 per week especially if it is a 4 month strike. Solidarity will break down and we will settle for less than what we are voting on right now. The company is probably hoping for a strike to wipe away the 150 day supply on the dealer lots, starve us out, gain public support against us and return with no signing bonus, inflation protection or quality bonus. This scenario is playing right into the companies hands

Im voting yes for you brother and share solidarity for locations like AAI. I support the job security in this agreement. My location did benefit from the 2007 agreement and for that I am thankful. Im sure AAI will gain over 90% yes vote.

The ones pushing a no vote will be the first to cross the picket line. When we go on strike I will borrow, beg for money to keep from losing my house and car from creditors: for the $200 per week will not be enough to sustain a 2 month strike. Many more in my position

I nominate Jeff Hodges for IUAW President 2014 !!!!!! Great job Mr Hodges................ You understand that the IUAW has the ultimate responsibility of protecting 42,000 UAW Ford workers. This still holds true in this agreement

Billions in jobs, In-sourcing from foreign countries, additional shifts, new products, bonuses etc............. This far sighted agreement will insure a good future for all of us Thank you Mr Settles

Thank you Mr Hodges, truth with no spin........... well said and appreciated

AAI is a in line for a good future

all of the problems start in the voting booth and the specific problematic party would republican

UAW Vice President Jimmy Settles says that once Ford's 41,000 hourly workers understand the details, they will ratify an agreement that provides new investments and jobs instead of larger raises. Starting today at the Dearborn Truck Plant, Settles will meet with workers in Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky and Missouri. "And in these times that we are in, I don't see how an intelligent person can make any other decision" than to ratify, Settles told the Free Press in an interview Thursday at the UAW's National Programs Center. "I am optimistic that it is going to pass." On his national tour to win support for the contract, he will emphasize the benefits, jobs and investments Ford has offered, as well as the up-front economic rewards. Workers stand to receive signing bonuses of up to $6,000, an average $3,700 profit-sharing payment in November and four annual $1,500 payments. This year, job security was the UAW's top priority, Settles said. Ford has offered to add 5,750 entry-level jobs in the U.S. by investing $6.3 billion. But some Ford workers wanted raises for all workers and even larger bonuses. "Maybe we could have ... asked for (Ford) not to invest and give everyone a $10-an-hour raise," Settles said, "but we'd put them out of business -- and that's not what we do." UAW VP Jimmy Settles confident Ford workers will ratify UAW deal Times have changed since 2009 when Ford workers rejected contract modifications, UAW Vice President Jimmy Settles said Thursday. Back then, the UAW failed to get information out quickly enough to its members and didn't explain the agreement adequately, Settles said in an interview with the Free Press. "You have to remember at that time in 2009, we went through many, many sets of negotiations," Settles said. "That was a different time -- that was unprecedented." Since then, Ford, which lost more than $30 billion from 2006 to 2008, has earned more than $14.2 billion and has become the most profitable of the Detroit Three -- even while it remains saddled with more debt than its competitors. On Tuesday, the UAW reached a tentative agreement with Ford that would create or preserve 12,000 jobs over four years, including 5,750 jobs not previously announced. The agreement also provides about $10,000 in nearly immediate pretax payments for each worker, a wage increase for entry-level workers and a new profit-sharing plan based on North American profits. A key element of those upfront payments, pulling ahead a $3,700 profit-sharing payment from next March to November, was pushed by the union late in the negotiations, Settles said. Still, many Ford workers, who haven't had a raise in seven years, are angry about the $26.5 million in total compensation paid to Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally and the company's decision to reinstate merit pay raises to salaried workers in 2010. Settles said Thursday he is confident workers will vote in favor of the contract after he embarks on a nationwide tour of Ford plants and UAW locals. "Intelligent people, given the appropriate information, will make the right decision," Settles said. Settles said he will lead the charge to win ratification of the agreement while UAW President Bob King works on contract talks with Chrysler. "We asked him to turn his attention to Chrysler," Settles said. "He feels that we can handle this." Settles said Ford stepped up with a generous contract considering a sputtering economy. General Motors shed much of its debt as it went through a government-led Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2009. As of June 30, GM had $4.7 billion in debt. Ford, which did not need emergency federal loans, had $14 billion of debt on June 30. "I am not drinking Ford's Kool-Aid, but facts are facts," Settles said. "We know they have a lot of debt, even though they are making money, and even though they paid Mulally this astronomical amount of money." The UAW also has taken a dramatically different approach to communicating with its members at Ford, General Motors and Chrysler, using messages posted on Facebook, regular updates on an 800 number and a newswire for UAW members. "Our plan was to be as transparent as possible," Settles said. Sean McAlinden, chief economist for the Center for Automotive Research, said he expects Ford members to approve the tentative agreement, but predicts that the vote will be closer than the 2-1 ratio by which GM workers passed their agreement last week. "I believe this one is going to get ratified," McAlinden said. "It is better than (the) GM contract by thousands of dollars." Nick Kottalis, chairman of the Dearborn Truck Plant unit of UAW Local 600, said Thursday he supports the agreement. Kottalis -- who opposed the 2009 modifications -- said Ford's commitment to produce the Fusion at its plant in Flat Rock combined with other investments at its sprawling Rouge complex have convinced him to campaign in favor of the new agreement. "Am I completely happy with the contract? No. But as I am looking at the big picture, these investments at the Rouge site ...are huge," Kottalis said. "And these bonuses are unheard in today's day and age." Contact Brent Snavely: 313-222-6512 or bsnavely@freepress.com

Thats 16 BILLION

Benefits rep at my location has run over 50 retirement estimates over the past 2 days for trades taking the $100,000, many are leaving

The IUAW has done a good job through these past 5 years of economic turmoil ensuring product commitments. As we can see the vision of the IUAW has paid off well for our job security. Moving forward this $16 Billion dollars are far better invested in America than Canada, Mexico or other countries. Most dont understand the actual value of $16 billion. OHAP and AAI have been saved, to that I credit the IUAWs vision, proven time and time again I will vote in favor of this agreement for it serves its main purpose of our most valued need, JOB SECURITY

The Rouge as a whole is getting a huge amount of product. DTP is secure because of past agreements so they could care less about the job security of the rest of the Rouge. Solidarity does not exist at DTP

True The actual total US investment over the next 4 years is $16 Billion. Thats $10 BILLION more that what you quoted $16 BILLION DOLLARS of investment will give most of us the job security we all strive for in every zone.

DTP is where all of these lies start. I just cant imagine where they come from, Any ideas?

Yes I just called the 800 number also. Good to hear the truth. Shame on wdiv

Theres some irresponsible reporting. Many ifs, could, possible and mays in there. Reminds me of the irresponsible reporting they did with General Motors, they had a $10,000 signing bonus "leaked out". Fool me twice shame on you, fool me once we wont get fooled again

Im calling BS Just scanned all news outlets and not one word about anything Wasnt it just 2 weeks ago GM was getting a $10,000 signing bonus?? Remember?? Wait until a tentative until the actual agreement is reached. These rumors do nothing but sensationalize and build up hope for something that is still being hammered out

Holy smokes>>>>>>>> AAI leading the pack

Notice that the population of foreign cars in the parking lot never changes. Some people just dont get it

Maybe sooner :happy feet: Update at 8:00 I hope