UAW members at Ford's River Rouge tool and die unit set strike deadline

(Reuters) - The United Auto Workers (UAW) union said on Wednesday it has set a strike deadline at Ford's tool and die unit in the River Rouge Complex over local contract issues.

Ford's Rouge Complex - which employs about 6,000 - has more than 500 workers in the tool and die unit, according to a union official.

The union said it will go on strike on Sept. 26 if local contract issues are not resolved, adding that core issues in negotiations included job security, wage parity and work rules.

"We have been at the table problem-solving. Negotiations continue and we look forward to reaching an agreement with UAW Local 600 at Dearborn Tool & Die," Ford said.

On Tuesday, UAW president Shawn Fain said the union plans to hold strike authorization votes at one or more of rival Stellantis' local chapters in the coming days.

(Reporting by Utkarsh Shetti in Bengaluru; Additional reporting by Nora Eckert in Detroit; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta)