[Jamo]

Ford negotiated a "most favored nations clause" in its last round with the UAW. If the GM/Chrysler contracts survive the bankruptcies, and the UAW lowers the cost of performing under those contracts for the Obama/Italian cartel, then Ford will obtain pretty much the same decreases.

Nothing new...MFNs are commonplace in highly unionized industries. this should assplain to you why one of the automakers would always take the lead in negotiations with the UAW...the parties in the first negotiations set the deal, and then local issues are negotiated.