CAW Chooses Ford as Strike Target

The Canadian Auto Workers and Ford Motor Co. entered round-the-clock negotiations ahead of the expiration of their labor contract at 11:59 p.m. on Monday.

The union declared on Sunday that it would focus on bargaining with Ford in hopes of setting a pattern that Chrysler and General Motors will follow.

The union says Ford is its best chance for favorable contract terms among the Detroit Three automakers, citing progress in talks late last week. CAW President Ken Lewenza tells reporters that Ford has sent signals it might back off its demand for a permanent two-tier wage system.

Chrysler says it is "very concerned" that the CAW picked Ford, which has smaller operations in Canada.

Lewenza has threatened to strike any of the U.S.-based carmakers with whom it does not have an agreement when the existing contract ends. He says reaching a deal with Ford at least two hours before the deadline would give Chrysler and GM a chance to agree to the same terms.

Usually when a union names a target it suspends the strike threat against other companies for several weeks.