UAW workers all over the country have been voting on the new deal during the week, which offers several new benefits and financial incentives.
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Union leaders say the agreement includes significant wage increases, signing bonuses and improved health care.
In addition, 65 percent of 1,400 workers at an adjacent parts stamping plant also voted in favor, said local President Robert Morales. Details of the deal will be made public on Monday if the UAW’s top Ford leaders approve the pact, as expected, for worker ratification vote. Once that inquiry has concluded, the UAW’s global Executive Board shall meet to determine what appropriate steps shall be taken. “The results of this process can not change aspects of the agreement which are common to all members”.
Ford and the UAW reached the agreement without the union having to a strike deadline, which it did at both Fiat Chrysler and GM before reaching last minute deals. In 2011, the UAW overrode a rejection by Chrysler’s skilled trade workers for that reason.
There was no immediate comment from GM. UAW has already reached an agreement with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (NYSE: FCAU) and it will start discussions with Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) after this contract is finalized.
Capping the last of its deals with the Detroit’s Big 3 automakers, the United Auto Workers union announced Friday it has reached a tentative agreement with Ford Motor. With mounting pressure, union officials warned the next strike may become unavoidable if the second round of voting fails to ratify a contract.
Kristin Dziczek, labor analyst with the Center for Automotive Research, said that overall, workers appeared on their way to passing the deal.
Details of the tentative Ford contract have yet to be released.
Veteran workers get two raises of 3 percent and two lump-sum payments during the proposed contract’s four-year term.
Almost 3,500 workers at GM’s Wentzville plant near St. Louis, Missouri, approved the four-year contract 57 to 43 percent. Traditional employees will receive an $8,000 signing bonus upon ratification.
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GM’s proposed contract also offers $60,000 for up to 4,000 eligible employees who agree to retire next spring. Until then UAW President Dennis Williams can’t give GM formal notice that the contract is ratified.
