By an announced margin of almost 4 to 1, the United Auto Workers rank and file ratified the labor contract hammered out by their leadership and the Ford Motor Co.

The agreement effects approximately 54,000 Ford workers, some 94,000 retired workers, and 28,000 surviving spouses of workers. The new contract will be in effect until September 14, 2011.

Of the three contracts negotiated with General Motors, Chrysler, and Ford, this agreement achieved the greatest degree of approval. The Chrysler contract faced internal opposition and received a favorable nod of only 56 percent while the General Motors agreement had a margin of approximately 2 to 1.

The breakdown for the Ford UAW production workers was 81 percent in favor for production workers and 71 for skilled-tradesmen. The overall favorable UAW Ford vote was 79 percent of the membership.

In negotiations with General Motors and Chrysler workers went out on strike before a contract was achieved, but such an action did not occur with Ford.

The automaker will now be able to employ new hourly workers at a lower, second-tier hourly rate of $14.20 and 20 percent of the company's workforce can be comprised of such workers.

Additionally, the company agreed to contribute to a union managed retiree health care program and assented to union demands to keep a number of plants open including six that had been slated for closure.