The Ford assembly plant in Hazelwood is off the closure list. Governor Bob Holden’s office says the successful negotiations between Ford and the United Auto Workers union provided an opportunity for the state to negotiate with Ford regarding the Hazelwood plant, which makes the Ford Explorer, Mercury Mountaineer, and Lincoln Aviator SUVs. In January of last year, Ford announced it would close the Hazelwood plant in a cost-cutting move. The plant will now remain open at least through the life of the four year contract, which expires in 2007. 2,600 employees work at the St. Louis County facility.
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