UAW reaches contract agreement with Ford as GM workers vote

“I know this has been a very long and stressful process, but I thank each of the 52,000 hardworking men and women of UAW-Ford for their patience, understanding and solidarity”, said UAW VP Jimmy Settles in a statement.

The contract will cover about 50,000 union members nationwide, including workers at the Lima, Ohio engine plant.

The settlement at Ford comes after the UAW reached a deal with GM that was richer than the contract it negotiated with smaller and less profitable Fiat Chrysler Automobiles last month.

The GM deal would give veteran autoworkers their first raise in a decade.

The new contract between United Auto Workers at Lordstown and GM will have an impact beyond the plant walls and the workers pockets.

Overall, 55.4 percent of GM’s UAW workers voted to approve the contract.

More than half of the 3,000 workers represented by UAW Local 602 at the Lansing assembly plant were in favor of the deal, the newspaper said.

The proposed Ford deal includes a $10,000 total signing bonus – $8,500 plus $1,500 advance in profit sharing – and $9 billion in USA plant investments, according to two sources familiar with the deal who asked to remain anonymous because details have not been shared with UAW leaders.

There are also concerns among thousands of temporary or “flex” workers, who would receive a $2,000 signing bonus and less generous health care than their permanent coworkers, if the contract is ratified.

UAW Local 1714 President Robert Morales said he is optimistic that the new contract will be ratified.

In addition, 65 percent of 1,400 workers at an adjacent parts stamping plant also voted in favor, said local President Robert Morales. Late Wednesday night, Local 1005 at GM’s Parma Metal Center posted results showing 53% of its 1,045 voting members cast no votes. We get an update and explore what the agreement could mean with Crain’s Automotive’s GM beat writer Mike Colias. The pact will go to a worker ratification vote as early as next week.

“Working with our UAW partners, we have reached a tentative agreement for the next four years for our employees and our business”.

Up to 4,000 eligible employees would be offered a $60,000 early retirement incentive.