Steel Markets
UAW-GM Contract Tentatively Approved, Ford Agreement Reached
Written by Sandy Williams
November 6, 2015
The UAW announced the completion of voting for a new labor contract with General Motors. The overall vote was 55.43 percent in favor and 44.57 percent against.
Production workers voted for the contract by a 58.3 percent to 41.7 percent margin. Skilled trades, however, voted against the agreement, with 40.5 percent in favor and 59.5 against. The salaried contract was ratified by a unanimous vote.
Ratification will not be announced until the UAW holds meetings with the Skilled Trades membership to determine why it rejected the tentative agreement. Actions as a result of the inquiry by the UAW International Executive Board cannot change aspects of the agreement which are common to all members.
On Friday, the UAW also announced a tentative agreement had been reached with Ford. Talks have been proceeding in the background as negotiations with FCA and GM were concluded.
“This agreement is significant for our members in that it creates a clear path for economic advancement for active members and rewards veteran employees for their sacrifices in recent years,” said UAW Vice President Jimmy Settles. “It is one of the richest agreements in the history of UAW-Ford.”
Highlights of the agreement are reported to include $8,500 in signing bonuses, cap free profit sharing, $1,500 annual inflation protection bonus and the same raises offered to FCA and GM. Official details of the agreement will not be released until union leaders review and approve it. UAW leaders are scheduled to meet in Detroit on Monday at 10:00 a.m.
Sandy Williams
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