Auto Workers Ratify Ford Pact

United Auto Workers members ratified a job-protecting contract with Ford Motor Co. by a 72% margin, clearing the way for intensive negotiations with General Motors Corp., the union said today.

Union Vice President Stephen Yokich said the agreement will be signed at 3 p.m. Monday at Ford headquarters in Dearborn. The 104,000 UAW members at Ford completed voting on the pact Wednesday morning. The agreement slows the rate of attrition by half and greatly reduces the reasons for which Ford can lay off workers.