The United Auto Workers union’s membership has officially ratified a new contract that union leaders deem beneficial to its autoworkers. After months of tough negotiations and acrimonious back and forth about the deal, UAW members have overwhelmingly voted in favor of the terms, providing the union and its workers with the promise of fair wages, retirement security, and job security.
Under the new contract, union members will receive pay increases and cost of living adjustments worth more than $18,000 per year. Workers with 25 years of experience or more could end up with as much as $30,000 more annually. The deal also includes other benefits like comprehensive healthcare coverage, an improved pension plan, additional paid time off, and educational and training opportunities that will help enable better opportunities for advancement and job security.
The UAW negotiations team was able to fight for and ultimately achieve multiple concessions from the Big Three automakers of GM, Ford, and Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles (FCA). These concessions protect workers and their families from potential plant closings and job losses due to electronic automation, and guarantee transfer rights in the event that a manufacturer does try to send work to countries with lower wages. Additionally, local unions will get to maintain their bargaining power within their individual plants and have access to established joint programs.
The approval of the new UAW contract is giving some much-needed peace of mind to autoworkers across the nation and serves as a reminder that with collective bargaining strength, workers can make a real difference in their workplaces.