Sept 18 (Reuters) - The United Auto Workers (UAW) union

said on Wednesday it has set a strike deadline at Ford's

tool and die unit in the River Rouge Complex over local contract

issues.

Ford's Rouge Complex - which employs about 6,000 - has more

than 500 workers in the tool and die unit, according to a union

official.

The union said it will go on strike on Sept. 26 if local

contract issues are not resolved, adding that core issues in

negotiations included job security, wage parity and work rules.

"We have been at the table problem-solving. Negotiations

continue and we look forward to reaching an agreement with UAW

Local 600 at Dearborn Tool & Die," Ford said.

On Tuesday, UAW president Shawn Fain said the union plans to

hold strike authorization votes at one or more of rival

Stellantis' ( STLA ) local chapters in the coming days.