The United Auto Workers union is close to securing a new tentative labor contract with Ford Motor, after intense bargaining overnight and into the day Wednesday, the Wall Street Journal reported. The UAW, now in the sixth week of its strike at the three Detroit automakers, has called for work stoppages at three Ford factories and sent more than 16,000 U.S. factory workers at the Dearborn, Mich., based car company to picket lines. The two sides have moved closer on key bargaining issues in recent days, the people said. The situation remains fluid, and there is still a possibility talks could stall. Union leaders are expected to take several days to review the details of any tentative deal that is reached before the UAW makes it public, some of the people said. It is unclear how soon workers would return to the factories, following a proposed labor deal. The membership must approve the tentative agreement with a majority vote for it to be officially adopted. The contract, which would span more than four years, covers about 57,000 union-represented workers at Ford.
