Ford workers in Sterling Heights reject concessions
Bryce G. Hoffman / The Detroit News
Workers at Ford Motor Co.'s Sterling Axle Plant delivered another major blow Monday to a tentative agreement reached between the company and the United Auto Workers, with 80 percent voting against accepting contract concessions.
That is particularly significant as the Sterling Heights factory, which has 1,800 workers, was due to get new work and add jobs if the deal was approved.
On Sunday, 92 percent of workers at Ford's Kansas City Assembly Plant voted against proposed contract changes. The vote there came after a stormy meeting at nearby Winnetonka High School where UAW Vice President Bob King, head of the union's national Ford section, made an appeal to workers to support the agreement, which was negotiated by the UAW and Ford earlier this month.
Advertisement
"(He) spoke and was booed," said one worker, who asked not to be identified. "There were a lot of 'No's!' It was a very loud meeting."
Last week, several key plants in Michigan and Ohio approved the deal by narrow margins.
A Ford executive expressed "shock" at the magnitude of the rejection.
bhoffman@detnews.com (313) 222-2443
Tom Long: In honor of "New Moon," and in case you didn't catch it elsewhere on the site, my list of bloodsucking faves:
Count Dracula (Bela Lugosi) from … 
Chris McCosky: I would be surprised if the Wings weren't given an explanation and perhaps an apology (worthless as it would be) for the officiating debacle Wednesday night.
Even if … 
Isabelle Beaulieu: Parents often call our office feeling confused and frustrated with their child's learning skills, ability to regulate their behaviors and emotions or socialize with … 