I feel like they would need board approval to shut down operations for a year and just retrain a new group of non unionized folks. Of course they would fire everyone and make people reapply if they want their jobs back.
There are legal implications to this which I won’t pretend to be an expert on since I’m not a lawyer. But essentially, regardless of whether Ford or the UAW believes or doesn’t believe the negotiations aren’t happening in good faith on either side, if Ford were to hire permanent employees there would be a lawsuit in Federal court and both sides would have to make a legal case. That court could easily impose an injunction on the hiring of permanent replacement workers and tie the process up for years. Both sides would bleed dry in the scenario. Neither side would necessarily want this. If found guilty, Ford would be facing billions in fines and back wages on top of those losses.
Without giving away my identity or employer, I’m tangentially involved in BOC (and about 40 mins away). They’re hustling on it. No expenses spared. The accompanying 3 battery plants are rolling along too. Ford’s even building a technical school in partnership with the state just down the road specifically to get the labor pipeline going just for those plants. It will be a while before tires hit the ground but there will be production staff there well before that.
Considering the market is moving towards EVs it would be irresponsible not to secure that future for the union workers.
But the issue is, they don't want unions to touch EVs because of this whole situation. EVs is like their pathway out from Unions.
I’ve NEVER purchased a car brand new in my entire life. First time ordering a car brand new and I’m on the same boat. Damnit.
