The United Auto Workers (UAW) union announced on Wednesday that they have reached a tentative contract agreement with Ford, potentially bringing an end to the nearly 6-week-long strikes by Detroit automakers. The four-year deal still needs to be approved by the 57,000 union members at the company. If approved, it could set the pattern for agreements with General Motors and Stellantis, the parent company of Jeep. Currently, workers at GM and Stellantis remain on strike.
The UAW is urging all workers at Ford to return to their jobs, as this will put pressure on GM and Stellantis to come to the bargaining table. The Ford deal reportedly includes a 25% general wage increase and cost of living raises, amounting to a pay increase of over 30%, totaling more than $40 per hour. This offer surpasses the previous offer of 23% pay increases made by all three automakers.
Temporary workers will also benefit from the agreement, receiving more in wage increases than they have over the past 22 years combined. Retirees will receive annual bonuses. UAW Vice President Chuck Browning, the chief negotiator with Ford, stated that this agreement is the most lucrative per member since the time of Walter Reuther, the union’s former president.
President Joe Biden responded to the news, stating that he believes unions play a crucial role in building the middle class and that this tentative agreement is a testament to the power of employers and employees working together to find common ground.
The agreement with Ford also grants the UAW the right to strike over company plans to close factories, providing a means to prevent devastating consequences for workers and communities. Ford expressed its satisfaction with the deal and will focus on restarting production at the Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville and the Chicago Assembly Plant.
With the resolution of the strike at Ford, 20,000 workers will be returning to their jobs and the company will resume shipping its full lineup of vehicles to customers. The cost of the contract has not been publicly disclosed.
This agreement could signify a turning point for the working class in the auto industry, setting a new path for workers’ rights and fair compensation. The UAW’s victory could have far-reaching implications for all autoworkers in the United States.
Disclaimer: This article is a paraphrased version of the original news article.
