The United Auto Workers said Wednesday it'll strike the tool and die unit at Ford Motor Co.'s Rouge Complex next week if local contract issues aren't resolved.

More than a year has passed since the deadline to reach a new local agreement between the Dearborn automaker and the unit of roughly 500 workers represented by UAW Local 600 in Dearborn. UAW President Shawn Fain gave authorization to Vice President Chuck Browning, head of the union's Ford department, to set a strike deadline of 11:59 p.m. Sept. 25.

Local agreements focus on plant-specific issues beyond the union's national agreement with the companies. Core issues in the negotiation for the tool and die unit are job security, wage parity for skilled trades and work rules, according to a news release.

"Ford invested $15 million in the plant last year and we have been at the table problem-solving," Ford spokesperson Jess Enoch said in a statement. "Negotiations continue and we look forward to reaching an agreement with UAW Local 600 at Dearborn Tool & Die Plant."

It wasn't immediately known what products could be affected in the event of a strike.

The threat comes as the UAW also says it could strike Stellantis NV as soon as October over the company delaying the launch of new product at its idled Jeep Cherokee plant in Belvidere, Illinois.

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