DEARBORN, MI—Ford has notified 308 UAW members who work in Michigan and Ohio that they will be “immediately” changed from temporary to full-time status.

Ahead of the schedule outlined by its negotiated labor contract, Ford will be promoting 79 workers at its assembly plant in Flat Rock, MI, which builds the Ford Mustang, and 229 workers at its assembly plant in Avon Lake, OH, which builds E-Series vans, medium-duty trucks and Super Duty chassis cabs.

Earlier this month, Ford notified 290 workers at its Kansas City assembly plant, which builds the Ford F-150 and the Transit van, that they would be changed from temporary to full-time status.

In 2018, UAW leaders surveyed members about the crucial issues to address in 2019 contract talks. Hiring temp workers as permanent employees topped the list. The most recent four-year contract with General Motors, Ford and Stellantis created a defined path for converting such workers to full-time employees.

People can work in assembly plants for years as temps with unpredictable work schedules, lower pay and fewer benefits. Among other things, the change will bring job security.