The preliminary agreement is now subject to ratification
About a month and a half after the strike began, the UAW reached a tentative agreement with Ford.
Ford CEO Jim Farley confirmed the news in a brief statement, saying: “We are pleased to have reached a preliminary agreement on a new labor contract with the UAW covering our U.S. operations. Ford is proud to assemble the most cars in America and employ the most workers.”
The agreement is subject to ratification, but they are focused on resuming production at assembly plants in Chicago, Michigan, and a truck plant in Kentucky. Ford is encouraging 20,000 employees to return to work.
What Ford promised workers to end the largest strike: details of the agreement with the UAW emerged
UAW President Shawn Fein said, “This agreement puts us on a new path to turn things around at Ford, the Big Three, and the entire auto industry. Together we will turn the tide for the working class in this country.”
The union said the agreement “provides a 25% increase in base wages through April 2028 and will collectively raise the top wage by more than 30% to more than $40 per hour.” The UAW said starting wages will increase by 68% and will exceed $28 per hour.
Other highlights of the agreement include cost-of-living allowances, a three-year pay rise system, and “elimination of controversial pay levels”. The union also said all Ford employees will receive pension benefits.
Moreover, the union received “historic right to strike in the event of plant closures.” This creates the preconditions for possible strikes in the future.
