Ford Makes Layoffs in Ohio and Illinois on UAW Strike

“Our production system is highly interconnected, which means the UAW’s targeted strike strategy has knock-on effects for facilities that are not directly targeted for a work stoppage,” a Ford spokesman said in a statement emailed to SMU.

“In this case, the strike at Chicago Assembly Plant has directly impacted some operations at Chicago Stamping Plant and Lima Engine Plant,” the spokesman added.

The UAW announced the expansion of its strike to the Chicago Assembly Plant last Friday, among work stoppages at other targeted plants at Ford and General Motors as well.

The spokesman stressed, “these are not lock-outs.” He said the layoffs are a result of the strike at Chicago Assembly Plant. According to the spokesman, these two other facilities must reduce production of parts that would normally be shipped to that plant.

He noted that these 330 layoffs are in addition to 600 laid off from the Michigan Assembly Plant beginning Sept. 15. This brings Ford’s total to 930 employees affected by strike-related layoffs, the spokesman said.

The UAW did not return a request for comment by the time of this story’s publication.

The strike against specific plants at all three Detroit-area automakers began on Sept. 15. It has expanded because no new labor agreement has yet been reached.