UAW Says Arbitrator Rules Against Union in Ford Dispute

The United Auto Workers said an arbitrator ruled against it on a grievance against Ford Motor Co. (F) in which the union contended that salaried employees didn’t give up as much as its members in pay and benefits.

The ruling was announced by the union’s Ford department in a posting on its Facebook page. The arbitrator issued it today, the UAW said.

The decision resolves a conflict between the Detroit-based union and Dearborn, Michigan-based Ford that had lasted more than two years. UAW President Bob King has said he protested directly to the automaker over the matter.

The union filed the equality-of-sacrifice grievance in early 2010. More than 35,000 Ford workers, who gave up pay increases and bonuses, signed the grievance after the company reinstated raises, tuition assistance and 401(k) matches for salaried staff members.

Ford fell 0.3 percent to $9.35 at the close in New York.

To contact the reporter on this story: Bill Koenig in Southfield, Michigan at wkoenig@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Jamie Butters at jbutters@bloomberg.net