The UAW applauded Ford Motor Co.’s announcement yesterday that it will invest $400 million in its Kansas City, Mo., assembly plant over the next two years, which will save at least 3,750 jobs at the plant plus thousands of other supporting jobs.

Ford plans to produce a new line of next-generation vehicles at the plant. 

This plant investment was part of strategic economic incentives created by the Missouri Manufacturing Jobs Act, passed during a special legislative session called by Gov. Jay Nixon (D) last summer. 

UAW Vice President Jimmy Settles, who directs the union’s National Ford Department, said in a statement:

We are pleased to have the cooperation of labor, business and government working together to retain good jobs in Missouri.

 UAW Region 5 Director Jim Wells added: 

The commitment and hard work of UAW members has contributed greatly to the success of this plant. We look forward to many more years here in Kansas City.