UAW workers who have been building the Ford Mustang and Lincoln Continental at the Flat Rock Assembly Plant learned late Tuesday that the plant is setting up to build respirators and workers are needed.

A Facebook page hosted by UAW Local 6000 said, "FRAP has been chosen to be a site that will be building respirators to help with the Covid-19 pandemic. FRAP members will be receiving a robo call around 5pm this evening asking for volunteers to work while the plant is down and have 24 hrs to respond. This will be a 3-crew operation..."

Kelli Felker, Ford spokeswoman for manufacturing, said in a prepared statement, "Ford is humbled to work with 3M, GE Healthcare and the UAW to manufacture medical equipment to help those on the front lines fighting COVID-19. We’ll have more to share about this in the future."

More:Ford partnering to make respirators, plastic face shields to fight coronavirus

UAW spokesman Brian Rothenberg said details were still developing.

Yet many details appear to be firmed up.

The UAW Local 3000 Facebook page listed the following 10-hour shifts, which include a 30-minute meal break:

6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Monday through Thursday

6 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. on Tuesday through Friday

6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday

6 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. on Sunday and Monday

"Work will be performed at the Roush Building (off Vreeland Road) and those volunteering will be able to rank their choice of shifts," the memo said. "Shifts will be assigned by seniority choice, so you will be able to rank 3 choices by email response."

Local UAW officials acknowledged that the situation is fluid.

"Due to the rushed nature of this amazing opportunity to help our nation, we are still working through the details," the memo said.

Work is expected to begin the week of April 6.

The message from the Flat Rock Assembly human resources office to UAW members will say, "You are receiving this message because Ford Motor Company will build respirators to aid in the fight against COVID-19, and we need your assistance. The need to implement a plan in a very short period of time will require us to manage this effort in real time. This is a temporary assignment ..."

The memo says the message will also say, "This is a call to action for a cause that transcends everyday comforts. It is an opportunity to make a bad situation better, and help our medical professionals, first responders, and all affected by COVID-19."

Ford is asking people to respond only if they're interested in assisting with the war on the pandemic. "We do not have much time to plan, so responding that you are ready will be considered firm."

By 7:45 p.m., the Facebook page had 30 likes. Workers asked whether they could volunteer from any Ford plant, and the initial response was only Flat Rock workers for now.

Responses posted by workers include:

"Union strong," posted Wilma Wamsher.

"How many people are needed?" asked Veronica Tucker.

The union responded, "Around 90, 30 per crew."

Contact Phoebe Wall Howard at 313-222-6512 orphoward@freepress.com.Follow her on Twitter@phoebesaid. Read more on Ford and sign up for our autos newsletter.