The Ford Motor Company is celebrating increased demand in its Transit van at the same time it is dealing with more than 7,400 Kansas City-area hourly union workers who are considering a strike.
The union could strike Sept. 14 if a new collective bargaining agreement is not reached. Both the national and local contracts expire on the same day. The union is in negotiations every day to reach an agreement, and they are confident they will be successful, said Jason Star, President of UAW local 249.
"Safety is the number one issue we're working on right now to make sure our members come in, are in a safe environment, with adequate facilities," Starr said.
The Transit van is popular with business owners because of its versatility and cost-effectiveness. Eighteen percent of small businesses that purchase new Transits break even within their first year. Transit has seen a 5.3 percent uptick in sales for fleets ranging in size from one to five vans.
As Ford negotiates its latest agreement with labor leaders, it continues to develop business plans for the next generation of electric and autonomous vehicles.