Ford confirms plans for Chicago plant jobs

Workers new to the company could be hired at $14.20 per hour, a wage allowed in a 2007 contract with the United Auto Workers union, the Detroit Free Press reported Tuesday.

Ford also said it would expand its staff at the Chicago Stamping Plant.

At the Washington Auto Show, Ford President and Chief Executive Officer Alan Mulally said he did not know how many lower-tiered new workers would be hired and how many laid off Ford workers would be re-hired.

The lower wage is about 50 percent of the wage earned by established UAW workers, the Free Press said.

Ford has committed $400 million to overhaul the Torrance Avenue factory, which makes the 2010 Taurus, and the stamping plant to begin producing a more fuel efficient Explorer, the newspaper said.

Industry analyst Sean McAlinden at the Center for Automotive Research said Ford is on track to launch a next-generation Edge, Lincoln MKX, Focus, Explorer and Mustang.

"Ford is just marching ahead with this wonderful production plan," McAlinden told the Press.

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