Ford and the United Auto Workers (UAW) have reached a tentative agreement on a new contract, ending a month-long strike that disrupted production at several key Ford facilities in the United States. The deal was announced on October 30th, 2019, and is still subject to ratification by UAW members.
While the details of the agreement have not been made public, some highlights have emerged from various media reports and statements by Ford and the UAW. Here are some of the key points:
1. Wage increases: The agreement includes wage increases for all UAW-represented employees. The details of the increases have not been disclosed, but reports suggest that they are in line with the wage hikes included in the recent contracts negotiated by General Motors and Fiat Chrysler.
2. Job security: The deal includes provisions aimed at preserving UAW-represented jobs in the United States. This is a key issue for the union, which has been concerned about the outsourcing of jobs to other countries.
3. Health care: The tentative agreement maintains current health care benefits for UAW-represented employees. This is a significant win for the union, which had been pushing for improvements in health care coverage.
4. Bonuses: The agreement includes signing bonuses for UAW-represented employees. The amount of the bonus has not been disclosed, but reports suggest it will be similar to the bonuses included in the recent contracts negotiated by General Motors and Fiat Chrysler.
5. Temporary workers: The agreement includes provisions aimed at addressing the issue of temporary workers. Temporary workers are a contentious issue in the auto industry, as they are often paid less than permanent employees and do not receive the same benefits.
Overall, the tentative agreement between Ford and the UAW appears to be a positive development for both parties. The UAW has secured wage increases, job security, and other benefits for its members, while Ford has avoided a prolonged strike that would have disrupted production and impacted its bottom line.
It remains to be seen whether UAW members will ratify the agreement, but the fact that it was reached relatively quickly compared to the negotiations with General Motors suggests that both sides were motivated to reach a deal. If the agreement is ratified, it will be in effect for the next four years, providing stability and certainty for Ford and its employees.
