Developing: UAW picket at Royal Oak Ford

[Royal Oak, MI // 05.10.07 @ 12:30pm EDT - Updated: 05.14.07 @ 11:10 EDT]

After spending a Saturday afternoon talking to customers and the picketers, the story continues to get more interesting in Royal Oak.

Saturday was a beautiful day in Michigan with just the right amount of sun and a gentle breeze, it was a car salesperson's dream. Traditionally, Saturdays are the largest days for auto sales. Parking was tight and the dealership had a sign saying the section of parking was full, but I could see why -Royal Oak Ford had four 2007 Ford Edge vehicles with the hoods up and giant letters inside spelling "SALE." The other prime public parking spaces were claimed by the UAW picketing team. This was going to be an interesting sale for sure!

The current stance from the UAW is detailed in a press release on their website. As previously reported, the UAW is alleging that the ownership of Royal Oak Ford failed to bargain in good faith with the UAW. Additionally, the UAW is alleging that Royal Oak Ford "advertised widely in print and on radio and television that is is the 'only UAW-represented new car dealership in metro Detroit'."

If that statement is accurate, Royal Oak Ford could find itself with a larger issue that a half-dozen pickers outside on a sales day -they could find themselves in trouble for false advertising.

While talking with some of the UAW members a few customers stopped to get a flyer and see what the issues were. Many customers were turned off by the actions of the dealership and chose to shop somewhere else on Saturday. One couple was so upset, they went into the dealership to talk about a car only to tell the salesperson they were not interested in their business.

I was unable to approach the dealership owner on Saturday, but I will be attempting to contact management for an interview this week.

Previously...

The story started when I drove by the dealership on Woodward Ave early last week and noticed something out of the ordinary -a single guy holding a red sign that read "DON'T SHOP HERE". I wondered what was going on, but couldn't find anything in the news -so I decided to pick up the camera and find out for myself!

After getting a break from the week's rain on Thursday, the sun is out in full force, so were the balloons and sales people -was I too late? This looked like a car sale, not a strike -one man was holding up a sign that read "HUGE SALE!" Upon close inspection I found a five person picketing team, three police cars and six or more officers. Currently, things are peaceful and the Royal Oak police were doing what the picketers called "a great job of staying in the middle, and just focusing on everyone's safety."

At the time, the picketers were only willing to state a few details, as the UAW has yet to make a press release on the events. I got a lot of "no comment" and "it's the same story, just a different place." The picket (not a strike) is drawing from all UAW workers to take turns and peacefully protest the dealership. They were handing out fliers urging patrons to not shop there and on the reverse a list of recommended dealers (with address, phone, directions and distance from Royal Oak Ford).

As of Thursday, The UAW is stating that Royal Oak Ford's management has violated workers' rights, refused to sign a fair contract, forbidden UAW leadership to enter the property, assisted in anti-union employees trying to get rid of the UAW and that Royal Oak Ford allowed racial slurs to take place without being addressed appropriately [information obtained from UAW].

Additionally, it came out that the main issue is related to a promise by the owners of the dealership to the UAW. Allegedly, the business owners told the UAW that if they helped sell more cars at their dealership for 6 months, they [ROF] would be willing to enter a UAW contract. After the UAW broadcast out the information and got it's members to purchase more A-plan vehicles from that dealership and increased their sales by 85% the UAW wanted to meet. The owners of Royal Oak Ford never came to the table.

(typos fixed // updated)