They're at it again.
After United Auto Workers announced Tuesday that employees nationwide had outvoted local workers and approved a new Ford Motor Co. contract, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Gov. Pat Quinn staked their claim to the resulting 1,200 jobs in Chicago -- in separate statements.
Emanuel, for his part, continued to tout the new positions as part of his cache of jobs announcements, lauding UAW's approval for making his city even more economically competitive.
“I am pleased that Ford is making this additional investment in Chicago and creating 1,200 high-paying jobs for the City’s hard-working, dedicated workforce,” Mayor Emanuel said in a prepared statement.
Within the hour, Quinn also took the opportunity to announce Ford's $200 million investment in his state, as well as the new third shift at the Torrence Avenue plant thanks to hundreds of new jobs.
“Creating jobs for Illinois workers is our number one priority,” Quinn said. “This investment package not only will help create 1,200 new jobs and boost the local economy, but it will ensure the next generation of Ford vehicles are built by Illinois workers – the best workers in the world.”
Mark Fields, Ford Motor Company’s president of The Americas, made cameos in each release.
In Emanuel's he thanked the mayor for "working on key infrastructure issues that will support Ford's increased production in Chicago and new jobs."
In Quinn's, he thanked the governor "for his continued strong support of Ford. The state’s investment package is a critical component in helping support our investment in Illinois and in creating additional jobs.”
When the Ford jobs initially were on the table before workers ratified the deal, Quinn appeared cool to Emanuel's celebration. Quinn publically said it wasn't a big deal who gets credit, but his staff clearly wasn't thrilled that Emanuel jumped out in front of the news.
