Eds: APNewsNow.

CLAYCOMO, Mo. (AP) Ford Motor Co. says union concerns over working conditions at its Kansas City Assembly plant have been resolved. But a union officer says members are moving ahead with a planned strike authorization vote.

Ford spokeswoman Marcey Evans says company and union officials reached an agreement late Friday on issues related to the workload at the plant.

But Toni McCauley, financial secretary for the United Auto Workers Local 249, says the union is still carrying out a strike authorization vote scheduled to end late Saturday.

The plant makes the Ford F-150 pickup and the Ford Escape/Mercury Mariner SUV. Union leaders say problems developed in October when Ford added a third shift, including staggered schedules, safety issues and increased, uncompensated work.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 11-14-09 1055CST | save this article / add to your favorites list