"Ford CEO Accuses UAW of Holding Labor Deal 'Hostage' Amid Battery Plant Uncertainty"

Ford CEO Jim Farley accused the United Auto Workers (UAW) union of holding up a new labor agreement to demand equal wages for workers at new battery plants. Farley also revealed that Ford is awaiting clarification from the U.S. Treasury on whether batteries produced at a planned Michigan plant using Chinese technology will qualify for tax credits. The UAW President, Shawn Fain, disputed Farley's claims and stated that the sides were far apart on core economic proposals. Ford recently paused work on its $3.5 billion battery plant in Michigan due to concerns about competitiveness, and Republican lawmakers have been investigating the partnership with Chinese battery company CATL.