More give backs at loss making Ford.

The United Auto Workers has finalized a tentative agreement with Ford Motor Company with additional modifications to the 2007 national labor agreement between the UAW and loss making Ford that expires in 2011.

It was the latest setback for a once proud organization that established many if not most of the benefits that the diminishing middle class holds dear. (Click here for a discussion of the current state of the union.)

The tentative agreement, if endorsed by the UAW’s Council, is subject to ratification by UAW Ford workers, said President Ron Gettelfinger and Vice President Bob King, who directs the union’s UAW Ford Department.

Ford officials said the new deal, which likely requires additional givebacks to the 2007 UAW-Ford national labor agreement, would help Ford improve its current and long-term competitiveness in the United States.

“We will not discuss details of the agreement until after the ratification process is complete,” Ford said in a statement.

The UAW and Ford reached agreement on the present four-year contract in November 2007 and agreed on modifications in February 2009, Ford spokesperson Marci Evans said.

Union sources said Ford is offering more work at various plants and $1,000 bonuses in exchange for contract changes that will bring its current labor pact in line with those implemented at General Motors Corporation and Chrysler Group LLC when they filed for bankruptcy. Both have since emerged from bankruptcy with lower labor costs.

The key changes sought by Ford include a no-strike clause for the 2011 contract, which would extend through 2015, a six-year wage freeze for any new hires and the further consolidation and elimination of more expensive skilled trades workers.

Ford had already obtained major concessions from the UAW in February. However, the automaker has asked for the additional changes obtained by GM and Chrysler, citing the industry’s long-standing practice of “pattern bargaining.”

The contract changes have run into opposition among both employees and some local union officials.

“I have heard that they will try to sell these concessions by saying that Ford gave them promises of new product in some plants and a $1,000 bonus tied to meeting some quality goals,” said a note circulated by Gary Walkowicz, a committeeman at the Dearborn Truck Plant, who has been critical of the union’s concessions in the past.

“Every time we accept concessions, it encourages Ford to come back with more concessions,” Walkowicz said in his note, which was circulated on the Internet.

“Accepting a no-strike clause would be like letting the company bust the union. We would have no bargaining power in 2011 when Ford might be making big profits again,” the note said.

“Not only would this mean that we would not get back the concessions we have already lost, it would also mean an arbitrator could lower our wages even further,” it said.

Walkowicz also warned that freezing the wages of new hires could come back to haunt older workers. The new hires would have little incentive to protect the benefits and pensions or older or retired workers.

“As for any bonus, what will a $1,000 bonus mean compared to all the bonuses, raises and COLA (cost-of-living allowance) we have already given up, not to speak of what we would lose in the next six years? It is a joke,” Walkowicz said.