Auto workers strike update: U.A.W. and Ford reach tentative agreement

Rebecca Olds
·2 min read
United Auto Workers members walk the picket line during a strike at the Stellantis Sterling Heights Assembly Plant, in Sterling Heights, Mich., Monday, Oct. 23, 2023. A tentative agreement was reached on Wednesday pending approval by union members.
United Auto Workers members walk the picket line during a strike at the Stellantis Sterling Heights Assembly Plant, in Sterling Heights, Mich., Monday, Oct. 23, 2023. A tentative agreement was reached on Wednesday pending approval by union members. | Paul Sancya, Associated Press

Since members of the United Automobile Workers union went on strike in August, negotiations have been underway between the two groups. On Wednesday night, a tentative agreement has been met between negotiators and awaits approval from union workers.

The new four-year contract would include the following benefits, per The Associated Press:

  • A general wage increase of 25%

  • Cost of living raises

With the cost of living pay increase, union workers would receive more than a 30% pay increase.

“This agreement sets us on a new path to make things right at Ford, at the Big Three, and across the auto industry. Together, we are turning the tide for the working class in this country,” said U.A.W. President Shawn Fain, per AP.

U.A.W. posted a video on the social media platform X, previously known as Twitter, calling the agreement that happened on the 40th day of the strike “historic.”

“In our union, the members are the highest authority,” said Fain. “That means we have a process for rolling out the details of the agreement and making sure every member gets a chance to make an informed decision.”

A Facebook Live will detail the tentative agreement to members in the near future.

Ford also released a statement confirming that the agreement will be instated after U.A.W. represented employees complete the ratification process.

“We are focused on restarting Kentucky Truck Plant, Michigan Assembly Plant and Chicago Assembly Plant, calling 20,000 Ford employees back to work and shipping our full lineup to our customers again,” said Ford in the statement.

Related

How many U.A.W. workers are on strike?

U.A.W. has been negotiating with General Motors and Stellantis, in addition to Ford, reported The New York Times. Between the three big companies, 45,000 workers have been on strike.

It’s unsure how the negotiation with Ford will affect negotiations with the other two vehicle manufacturers, since this is the first time the union has battled three different companies at the same time, per the Times.

President Joe Biden made an appearance at a rally last month in support of the union workers. On the social media platform X, he said he’d “go to Michigan to join the picket line and stand in solidarity with the men and women of UAW as they fight for a fair share of the value they helped create.”

He said, “It’s time for a win-win agreement that keeps American auto manufacturing thriving with well-paid U.A.W. jobs.”