South African Ranger Production "At Risk".

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Ford Says South African Strike Could Threaten Expansion Plans
AUGUST 12, 2009

JOHANNESBURG (Dow Jones)--The South African unit of Ford Motor Co. (F) Wednesday said a threatened strike could put at risk plans to build a new pickup truck and engine in the country.

Ford Motor Co. Southern Africa said it is in talks with the South African government and others ahead of finalizing investment plans. The company in January 2008 had announced it would invest in a new pickup truck at its Silverton assembly plant and a new diesel engine at its Port Elizabeth plant.

"Any potential strike action would pose a significant risk to this planned expansion," it said in an e-mailed statement.

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa Tuesday said it was preparing to push ahead with a strike, having received a certificate allowing industrial action from the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration.

The union said it is, among other things, demanding an end to the use of external job brokers and subcontractors, the dismissal of the unit's human resources manager and an investigation into job cuts.

Ford said it continued to hold discussions with NUMSA, but was disappointed the union issued a "distorted" statement.

"It is also disheartening that NUMSA would encourage their membership to participate in a strike action in light of the prevailing economic hardships and current 4-day production schedule," Ford said.
http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-...12-712196.html