Ford Motor Co.'s Americas chief indicated on Wednesday that the No. 2 U.S. automaker will be looking to bring its labor costs in line with those of its smaller rival Fiat Chrysler Automobiles when it opens talks this summer with the union representing its hourly workers, Reuters reported yesterday. Joe Hinrichs, Ford Motor Co. executive vice president and president of the Americas, said that the subject of entry-level workers, who are paid less than their veteran co-workers, will be a subject of talks with the United Auto Workers. Ford, Fiat Chrysler and General Motors Co. will negotiate new deals to replace ones expiring in mid-September. Hinrichs, who declined to discuss the pending talks in detail, said that Ford needs to remain competitive in order to maintain its investment in U.S. plants, and pointed to the UAW's desire for a deal that is similar at all three automakers in helping Ford lessen the advantages that Fiat Chrysler gained during its 2009 bankruptcy.
