Vote OK’ing action has UAW talking strike

updated 3:16 p.m. ET Sept. 3, 2007

SALINE, Mich. - Ford Motor Co. has brought a lot of uncertainty into Gerald Williamson's life.

The factory where he works is on a list of plants slated to be sold or even closed, and like other workers, he's had to give up part of his pay raises to help the company fund its huge retiree health care bill.

So when it came time to vote to give union leaders the power to call a strike if contract talks go south, Williamson got some satisfaction last week out of casting his ballot in favor.

"To try to force us to make any more concessions, it's unreasonable and we're willing to shut them down," said Williamson, 55, who works at a plant that makes instrument panels and other parts in Saline, about 40 miles west of Detroit.

Plenty of United Auto Workers members share his thoughts. At his plant, 99 percent approved the strike authorization. Voting nationwide wrapped up last Friday, but the final tally was not announced. Typically, though, strike authorizations are approved overwhelmingly.

With contracts between the union and Ford, General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC set to expire Sept. 14, UAW leaders have asked members during the past few weeks to authorize a strike. It's standard procedure and it doesn't mean that a work stoppage will occur.

Williamson, a 13-year Ford worker from Ypsilanti, says he doesn't want a strike and he doesn't think the company wants one either.

Fact file WHAT'S GOING ON: National contracts between the Detroit Three and the United Auto Workers expire on Sept. 14. The union asked workers to vote on giving their leaders the authority to call a strike if contract talks stall. THE VOTE: Results of voting ended last week haven't been announced. In the past, strike authorization votes have been a formality and approved overwhelmingly. THE WORKERS: At a Ford Motor Co. plant in Saline, about 40 miles west of Detroit, 99 percent of the 1,300 workers approved the strike authorization this week. Many said they've given the company enough and were against concessions that the company says it needs to be profitable.

But like many workers, he's unhappy that he's had to give up money when new Ford President and Chief Executive Alan Mulally is making millions.

"When you ask people to make concessions and they help out and chip in, then everyone has to make concessions," Williamson said after voting on Wednesday.

Mulally's compensation package was valued at $39.1 million during his four months on the job last year, according to an analysis of a Ford filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Workers at many Detroit-area factories often refer to executive compensation when asked about concessions.

The package also bothers Bill Garner, 54, who voted in favor of a strike. He thinks the salaries of Mulally and other top Ford executives should be cut.

"If they were down more, I don't think it would be near the issue it is now," said Garner of Saline, who has seen only one strike in his 35 years with Ford.

When Mulally was asked last week about criticism of his compensation, he said that leadership counts.

"All the skills required to run a business are market-driven," said Mulally, who was hired away from Boeing Co. last year to rescue the money-losing Ford.

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