The UAW has been busy this weekend as they reached a tentative agreement with Stellantis and expanded their strike against General Motors.
Starting with Stellantis, the union said the agreement delivers on their pledge that “record profits mean record contracts.”
We’ll learn more details in the coming days, but the deal largely echoes the agreement that was struck with Ford. As a result, it “grants 25% in base wage increases through April 2028, and will cumulatively raise the top wage by 33% compounded with estimated COLA to over $42 (£34.63 / €39.70) an hour.” The union went on to say the starting wage will increase by 67%, compounded with estimated cost-of-living allowances, to over $30 (£24.74 / €28.36) an hour, while temporary workers will see a raise of more than 165% over the life of the agreement.
More: Ford And UAW Reach Tentative Agreement To End Strike
The deal also includes a three-year wage progression, the end to wage tiers, and the aforementioned cost-of-living allowances. The UAW also said members can expect better benefits as well as the “right to strike over product and investment commitments.” That’s good news, but the tentative agreement has to be approved by members.
In a statement, UAW President Shawn Fain said “Going into these negotiations, the company wanted to cut 5,000 jobs across Stellantis. Our Stand Up Strike changed that equation. Not only did we not lose those 5,000 jobs, we turned it all the way around. By the end of this agreement, Stellantis will be adding 5,000 jobs. We truly are saving the American dream.”
More interestingly, UAW Vice President Rich Boyer announced they’ve “saved” Belvidere Assembly. The facility was idled months ago, but it’s now slated to reopen and be joined by a new battery plant that will provide “over a thousand jobs.”
Union Expands Strike Against GM
The tentative agreement with Stellantis leaves General Motors as the only automaker without a deal, and the union ratcheted up the pressure by expanding their strike to GM’s Spring Hill Manufacturing. The plant builds the GMC Acadia as well as an assortment of Cadillac crossovers including the XT5, XT6, and Lyriq.
Neither side said much about the move, but GM released a statement saying “We are disappointed by the UAW’s action in light of the progress we have made. We have continued to bargain in good faith with the UAW, and our goal remains to reach an agreement as quickly as possible.”