Crunch time: Gettelfinger visits Ford HQ

Bryce G. Hoffman / The Detroit News

Talks between Ford Motor Co. and the United Auto Workers kicked into high gear Tuesday morning as UAW President Ron Gettelfinger arrived at the company’s Dearborn headquarters to begin the final push toward a new national contract, according to sources familiar with the situation.

Ford is the last of the three Detroit automakers to negotiate a contract with the union. The current labor agreement expired on Sept. 14, but the UAW signed an open-ended extension with Ford that either side can cancel with 72 hours notice.

Ford, which lost $12.6 billion last year and is in the midst of a major restructuring, is pushing for more favorable contract terms than either General Motors Corp. or Chrysler LLC received from the UAW. It is also offering more in return and is even willing to keep some plants open that have already been targeted for closure if it gets what it wants from the union.

On Monday, Gettelfinger praised Ford’s openness and said he looked forward to getting a deal done. Sources on both sides have expressed hope that an agreement could be reached this week, though they said gaps still remain on some key issues.