Ford Motor Co is nearing a deal with the United Auto Workers to bring its labor contract in line with concessions granted to GM and Chrysler, according to a person briefed on the talks.

After six weeks of formal negotiations, local union officials have been summoned to Detroit on Tuesday for a briefing on the talks. Ford has said it needs the concessions to remain competitive with cross-town rivals General Motors Co and Chrysler, which went through government-supported bankruptcies.

Ford spokeswoman Marcey Evans said the automaker was continuing to work with the UAW to improve competitiveness.

We are making progress together, but we consider our discussions to be private and we have nothing to announce, Evans said on Friday. The UAW had no immediate comment.

Ford opened talks with the UAW on August 25 to address areas where its contract differs from rivals GM and Chrysler. The contract expires in 2011.

Ford global manufacturing chief Joe Hinrichs has said the company would face disadvantages over the long term without concessions from the union.

A UAW local representing Ford workers in Dearborn, Michigan reported on its web site on Friday that a meeting of local leaders is scheduled for Tuesday morning and a national delegation meeting will be held in the afternoon.

In previous contract talks with Ford and other automakers, UAW leadership has used meetings in Detroit to brief local officials on the outlines of tentative agreements shortly before the proposals are brought to ratification votes.

The source spoke on condition of anonymity because the discussions between the UAW and automaker are ongoing.

(Reporting by David Bailey; Editing by Derek Caney)

Ford Motor Company