Ford Motor Company logo. Courtesy Ford Media Center official website.Ford Motor Company logo. Courtesy Ford Media Center official website.
Windsor

UAW ratify contract with General Motors and Ford 

The United Auto Workers union says its members have ratified new four-year contracts with Ford and General Motors.

The union said in a statement on Friday night that 56.3 per cent of Ford members approved of the 2019 Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Rory Gamble, UAW vice-president and director of the UAW-Ford Department said the agreement will eliminate permanent temporary situations and permanent tiers.

“Every Ford employee and temporary employee will be at the top-rate for full-time status at the end of this four-year agreement,” he said in a statement. “This is a life-changing contract for many and provides a template for all future Ford UAW members to a full-time, top-rate status," he said.

The ratified contract includes an economic package of a $9,000 per full-time member signing bonus, performance bonuses, two 3% annual raises and two 4% lump sum payments and holding the line on health care costs.

The union announced on Saturday that General Motors members voted 58 per cent in favour of a new four-year agreement.

UAW Secretary-Treasurer Ray Curry and director of the UAW General Dynamics Department said the agreement confirms the employees' quality work and pride in designing vehicles and equipment for the nation's military, in a statement on Saturday.

The contract includes protecting job security, wages and benefits.

General Dynamics is the fifth-largest defense contractor in the United States, while Ford was the fifth biggest global auto manufacturer in 2018.

The Detroit Three automakers will now focus on the last Big Three automaker, Chrysler.

Read More Local Stories