LIVONIA, Mich. (WXYZ) — Ford Motor Co. announced on Wednesday that it's laying off hundreds of more employees this week and has already asked them to not report into work Thursday.
Two plants are being affected in the layoffs: 350 workers at the Livonia Transmission Plant and 50 workers at the Sterling Axle Plant.
Ford says the two facilities are responsible for making parts that are directly sent to the Chicago Assembly Plant, which UAW President Shawn Fain announced was going on strike last Friday.
"These are not lock outs. These layoffs are a consequence of the strike at Chicago Assembly Plant, because these two facilities must reduce production of parts that would normally be shipped to Chicago Assembly Plant," part of a statement from Ford said. "These 400 layoffs are in addition to 930 layoffs at other facilities, bringing Ford’s total to approximately 1,330 employees."
Local UAW 182 is right across the street from the Livonia plant. Financial secretary Troy Diehl says while the layoffs don't surprise him, they're still a tough pill to swallow.
“I think we’re at a point where it’s a lose, lose. Now it’s just a matter of how much does everybody want to lose," he said. “I’m sure there will be more (layoffs) in the not-too-distant future.”
The laid off UAW employees will now be put on the $500 a week strike pay.
“It’s better than nothing, but it’s not a substitute for a paycheck," Diehl said.
In the meantime, Fain is planning another update on the negotiations on Friday, according to a source familiar with negotiations. A time for the update has not yet been announced.
During Friday’s announcement, we'll likely find out if Fain plans to put more pressure on General Motors, Ford and Stellantis by expanding the strike to more facilities.
There has been some movement at the bargaining table this week with offers and counteroffers. Striking workers say they're in this for as long as it takes to get a fair deal.
GM set up a $6 billion line of credit to shore up its finances in case of a long-term strike. Ford took similar action, opening a $4 billion line of credit back in August.
