The new tentative contract agreement reached between the Ford Motor Company and the United Auto Workers contains some major benefits for the automaker's two Louisville plants.Under the agreement, Ford will add a third shift at the retooled Louisville Assembly Plant to produce a new vehicle. Officials say the move will create more than 1,000 jobs.The company will also invest another $600 million in the Kentucky Truck Plant. Ford had earlier announced a $600 million investment to upgrade the Louisville Assembly Plant for production of the Escape sport utility vehicle, creating 1,800 jobs.Mayor Greg Fischer says Ford has done an impressive job of emerging from the recession."Why did it happen? One, they didn’t have to ask for money, they thought that they had a turnaround plan in place. Alan Mulally came on as their CEO, and really helped sharpen the focus of the company. You’re seeing a company that obviously is very effective on a global scale in terms of sourcing but also in terms of flexibility of their manufacturing plants here," he said. The agreement is subject to ratification by the United Auto Workers members.
Rick Howlett was midday host and the host of LPM's weekly talk show, "In Conversation." He was with LPM from 2001-2023 and held many different titles, including Morning Edition host, Assignment Editor and Interim News Director. He died in August 2023. Read a remembrance of Rick here.