UAW “Pattern Contracts” and Ford – one of the fundamental concepts forced on the big 3 was the same contract would apply to all 3 companies, so the companies could not try to split apart the UAW into factions based on the company. Each contract cycle, the first company that “settled” with the UAW then became the pattern that was forced onto the other two companies. Because GM was typically the most profitable, GM would compete to get the UAW to strike them, so GM (known locally as Generous Motors) would dole out generous concessions, that would then cobble Ford and Chrysler with high costs they couldn’t afford and be competitive..
Now the shoe is on the other foot – the UAW made concessions to help “save” GM and Chrysler, and Ford is insisting that the UAW Ford workers agree to those same concessions so all 3 companies are working from the same contract. The UAW voted this weekend and said “No”. Keep in mind that GM’s largest stockholder now is the UAW retirement fund. The union being both labor and management/owner at GM is going to have some really odd consequences.
(the Canadian UAW did approve the concessions, which could motivate Ford to move more of its operations to Canada if the US UAW holds firm)
