UAW taking ‘micro’ approach to unionizing Volkswagen plant

Ford needs a majority of those who vote among its 52,900 union workers for it to be ratified.

In addition to Local 862 at the Louisville Assembly and Kentucky Truck plants, the deal has been voted down easily at an axle plant in Sterling Heights, Mich.; a stamping plant in Buffalo, New York; a parts plant in Ypsilanti, Mich.; and engine plants in Cleveland and Lima, Ohio.

The proposed four-year contract also includes two 3 percent raises, as well as $1,500 inflation payments and bonuses and profit-sharing payments this year that add up to $10,250 this year alone for permanent employees. “Do you want to stop the consolidation of skilled trades, which threatens job security and safety?” noted one of the fliers circulated by the Autoworkers Caravan.

UAW efforts to advance its standing among plant workers has continued since the failed election, advocating for a German-style works council model of employee representation at the plant, mirroring what VW has at the rest of its assembly plants worldwide. Ricke said at Wednesday’s news conference that 16,000 Ford workers voting this year have never been through a contract negotiation process before.

After the first Fiat Chrysler contract was rejected, union leaders renegotiated a deal that put more money in members’ paychecks, including a larger bonus for ratifying the agreement.

He said the moratorium on plant closings during the length of the contract is another plus for workers.

Samples said voting at Ford’s 22 USA plants represented by the UAW is expected to be completed later this week.

In total, Ford told the UAW it would invest a few $9 billion in its USA manufacturing network, creating or securing 8,500 jobs.

Frankfurt-based IG Metall estimates that 100,000 people work for German-owned automotive companies in the U.S. Most of those workers aren’t represented by unions, unlike at their counterparts at plants in Germany. They could still decide to declare the deal ratified. He said the workers have job titles, wages and experience that are unique to maintenance. Officially, the UAW won’t say until all of the workers have voted.

“Workers think this is a pretty healthy time, this is a pretty healthy company”, said Kristin Dziczek, director of the global Labor Group of the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor, MI. That sweetened deal served as the basis for the UAW’s agreement with General Motors.

“After a decade or more of concessions, if we cannot get back what we lost now, then when can we get it?” said Gary Walkowicz, a bargaining committeeman at UAW Local 600 and one of the few elected leaders there who oppose the contract.

Workers at those plants would be paid $16.25 to $19.86 per hour depending on the number of years worked.

Details of the tentative Ford contract have yet to be released.