UAW Local 160, which represents 1,335 General Motors workers, has voted 84 percent in favor of the contract proposal put forth by the automaker and union leaders last week.
While only one, small fraction of the UAW, the Local 160 result may be indication the union will vote to approve the contract proposal and bring an end to the 36-day strike.
GM CEO Mary Barra and UAW boss Gary Jones
Speaking to Fox2 Detroit, UAW Local 160 member Jeff Geradi said the majority of his colleagues were pleased with the contract proposal, which includes an $11,000 ratification bonus for full-time workers and a $4,500 ratification bonus for temporary workers.
“I think everybody is pretty much satisfied. Are we gonna get what we want? Completely 100 percent? No. but I think the membership will be satisfied with what we did achieve,” he told the Fox affiliate. “There’s gonna be people that’ll be voting negatively for their own reasons. That’s fine too.”
The union branch also represents 556 Aramark workers—which provides janitorial services for GM plants. Jimmy Taite, an Aramark worker and Local 160 member, told Fox2 that many workers he has spoken to feel as though the strike has gone on long enough and they are ready to return to work.
“I voted and I voted the right way and that’s it. Bottom line—I’m a bottom-line person. Meat and potatoes. We got through the deal, now it’s time to go back to work,” he said. “Our families need us. Our kids, our wives need us. So we did what we had to do.”
Full results from the ratification vote are expected to be revealed on Friday. The UAW chose to remain on strike while voting proceeded—which was likely a cautionary measure should workers turn the deal down.
In a statement released last week, GM encouraged the UAW “to move as quickly as possible through the ratification process, so we can resume operations and get back to producing vehicles for our customers.”
The UAW strike began on September 15, with roughly 48,000 union represented employees walking off the job demanding wage increases, a clear path to full-time employment for temporary workers, a freeze on the current healthcare contract and product allocation for the Detroit-Hamtramck and Lordstown Assembly plants, among more. Under the proposal, UAW workers will receive a 3-percent wage increase and 4-percent lump-sum payment on alternating years of the four-year contract, along with the same healthcare plan and the aforementioned ratification bonuses.
GM will also allocate electric vehicle production to Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly, though Lordstown Assembly will remain closed. The union had previously indicated that it would not accept a deal that did not include new products for both Detroit-Hamtramck and Lordstown.
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Source: Fox2 Detroit
Comments
Most definitely a great sign. All in all, let’s get this over with.
This will be an interesting development. Just saw a headline stating Tennessee workers voted down the contract, and Lordstown is likely to do so too.
The older members with the highest pay rates are usually the first to fold. They got theirs, what about the Temps and the multi tier pay scales ???
How does this new contract represent solidarity? Whoever votes yes on this BS will cry the loudest when the next plant(s) in line will be shuttered and those jobs are outsourced to Mexico !!!
I hope what ever the contract is it kills ford going forward. The extra money GM has to pay will be even more for ford and dodge!!!
Spring Hill voted NO 51%
Congratulations to all UAW members for standing in solidarity for an approved contract. The UAW actions demonstrate support and the need for democracy in the workplace- the right to organize and seek improvements in wages, hours and working conditions through the collective bargaining process.
It is sad many, many US employers work to prevent their employees from enjoying the democratic process of collective bargaining.
Absolutely there should be right to organize and collective bargaining. But there should also be right to invest (private) shareholder’s capital wherever it makes sense for long term company viability.
Last 60 years -> GM (UAW) workers did the best among the manufacturing workers globally
Last 60 years -> GM shareholders did the worst among the listed companies
Hats off to UAW for doing best for their members. Hats off to new GM management for moving some jobs to Mexico so as to avoid going bankrupt again.
No, leadership sold them out. They took pocket money and said it was a good deal but it’s not what the members are asking for. Why Detroit voted in favor for it only conveys to other people in unions that you give in because of what you think the company is giving you. You all aren’t and haven’t shown solidarity by voting for this. Good job turncoats. You care nothing about your other members.
Terrible contract..3 years before they hire or fire temps ?really ?they stood on the same line as all of you and you sold them out… nothing for the retires is just sad?, and all the GMCH plants that went on strike with you got screwed with nothing
Go back to work. Staying off is only hurting your families.