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Ford Updates Union Leaders August 30, 2006

Union leaders received an update on Ford?s condition Tuesday, but said they were not told about any specific steps the company planned to take.

DETROIT, Aug. 29 ? Local union leaders at the Ford Motor Company received an update on the struggling company?s condition Tuesday, but said they were not told about any specific steps the company planned to take.

The United Automobile Workers president, Ron Gettelfinger, and Bob King, the union?s lead negotiator with Ford, met with members of the union?s Ford Council for about four hours. The group is made up of local union presidents and bargainers.

In a statement, Mr. King said the officials discussed ?the ideas and input of U.A.W.-Ford workers about the current situation at Ford.?

Neither Mr. King nor Mr. Gettelfinger spoke to reporters afterward. But several union officials who attended the meeting said they were not given details about buyouts or other actions Ford may take.

Ford, which has lost roughly $1.5 billion this year, is planning to expand a reorganization program called the Way Forward.

The original blueprint, introduced in January, called for Ford to close 14 plants and eliminate 30,000 jobs through 2012.

Ford is considering a range of actions, like speeding up the plant closings, shutting more factories and expanding buyout offers, in an effort to persuade workers to leave their jobs. It is expected to announce those steps next month.

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