F Ford Motor Company

The threat of a possible United Auto Workers strike at a critical Ford Motor Co. pickup-truck plant intensified Thursday after a Sunday overtime shift was canceled and local leaders advised members to check with the strike committee for their assignments.

UAW Local 249, representing workers at Ford's Claycomo, Mo., plant, posted social-media images showing the Sunday shift was canceled. The posting was quickly followed by another telling union members they are required to participate in the strike by taking different shifts on the picket line. About 7,500 people work at the plant, which produces the F-150 pickup truck.

The move comes after UAW Vice President Jimmy Settles gave Ford a five-day notice of the union's intention to strike over unresolved issues at the facility. Plants work their own labor accords with auto makers which are separate from the national agreement.

Earlier Thursday, Ford's U.S. marketing chief, Mark LaNeve, said he thought a strike could be avoided.

"We are working hard to avoid a disruption," Mr. LaNeve said. "We are confident we will negotiate a fair deal and we will continue to work on it."

Separately, the UAW is still reeling on a national level Thursday after Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV rank-and-file members overwhelmingly rejected a tentative agreement that would have set the pattern for the union's negotiations with Ford and General Motors Co.

UAW President Dennis Williams is meeting with local leaders in Warren, Mich., to map out a new strategy. It is the first time in more than 30 years members have rejected an agreement approved by union leadership.

Fiat Chrysler, Ford and GM union members have been working under contract extensions since Sept. 14.

Write to Jeff Bennett at jeff.bennett@wsj.com

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(END) Dow Jones Newswires

October 01, 2015 16:25 ET (20:25 GMT)

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