Ratification Of New GM-UAW Agreement Delayed By Skilled Trades Workers

Last month, workers at Fiat Chrysler plants ratified a new UAW contract after rejecting the first proposed pact.

Almost 60 percent of skilled trades workers, which include electricians and welders, voted against the deal. It will eliminate the companies two-tiered wage system, at least at General Motors plants. Entry-level production workers now paid between $15.78 and $19.28 per hour would see their wages increase to between $17 and $22.50 per hour and would eventually earn about $29 per hour in three to six years, depending on their hire date.

The news comes on the final day of voting for General Motors workers on their four-year agreement.

In an election involving all eligible hourly workers at the plant previous year, workers voted 712-626 against UAW representation following heavy campaigning by anti-labor politicians and groups. If they vote to approve the agreement, the union will release details.

GM also has 52,700 UAW members.

Workers at Ford’s factory in Claycomo, Mo.

The last labor contract between UAW and Detroit automakers expired on September 13, but the deadline continued to extend until the Union can get new contracts with these automakers.

Frank Heintz, a 60-year-old skilled tradesman at Ford’s Dearborn Truck Plant, said he expected a deal that would mirror GM’s, although he’s still undecided whether he would vote in favor of it. Of that total, 58.3 percent of production workers in favor of it, but just 40.5 percent of skilled trades workers gave their approval.

Workers at GM’s large Chevrolet Malibu sedan plant in Kansas City, Kan.,-represented by Ms. Hale-overwhelmingly rejected the deal.

“We appreciate the solidarity from our members while we worked to secure the details of this proposed tentative agreement”, said UAW President Dennis Williams.

John Fleming, Ford manufacturing chief, said in a statement: ” Working with our UAW partners, we have reached a tentative agreement for the next four years for our employees and our business”. Temporary workers can vote on the agreement.

Several workers told WSWS reporters that they felt outraged by the fact that only 4,000 workers were being offered retirement incentives although a few 20,000 are eligible to retire. Traditional employees will receive an $8,000 signing bonus upon ratification.