UAW, Ford Reach Tentative Deal (Includes 4 plant closings)

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http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&ncid=716&e=15&u=/nm/20030916/bs_nm/autos_uaw_dc

DETROIT (Reuters) - The United Auto Workers union said on Monday it had reached a tentative deal on a new contract with Ford Motor Co., leaving General Motors Corp. as the only Detroit automaker yet to reach a deal with the union.

While the UAW did not disclose details of the agreement with Ford and its largest supplier, Visteon Corp., Ford executives said the deal meshed with Ford's turnaround plans that include closing two assembly plants and two parts plants in the United States.

"We feel very good about this contract," said Ford Chairman and Chief Executive Bill Ford Jr. "It fits into it or we wouldn't have reached this agreement."

Ford's deal with the UAW covers about 73,000 active workers and 102,000 retirees and their families.

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1. Keep in mind that GM wants to close more plants than Ford does

And Chrysler wants to close several too. Big trouble ahead in the job market.

Don