UAW Members Ratify New Contact With Stellantis

United Auto Workers (UAW) members at Stellantis have decisively voted in favor of the union’s tentative agreement, marking a significant moment in automotive labor relations. The vote, with a resounding 70% approval rate, reflects a substantial step forward following intensive negotiations between the labor union and the automotive conglomerate.

While the majority of Stellantis facilities overwhelmingly approved the deal, there were notable exceptions. Most significantly, one of the larger locals representing workers in Toledo voted against the agreement, signaling a dissenting voice within the broader consensus. Despite this, favorable results from two large locals in Detroit, representing workers at the Jefferson and Mack facilities that make up the Detroit Assembly Complex, contributed significantly to tipping the scales in favor of ratification.

“I am pleased to inform you that our membership has ratified the new UAW National Agreement with Stellantis,” said Rich Boyer, UAW Vice President overseeing the Stellantis department, in a letter addressed to local union presidents and officials.

The ratified deal, similar to recent agreements with other Detroit automakers, offers notable economic benefits, including wage increases of at least 25%, addressing long-standing disparities in compensation.

“While not getting everything everyone wanted, we corrected years of unfair wages and divisive language,” the letter expressed, acknowledging the agreement’s efforts to rectify past discrepancies. It also highlighted the assurance of job security for many locations beyond the 2023 agreement and the provision of bonuses to retirees.

The agreement, effective from Monday onward, brings forth various advantages for the workforce, including a $5,000 ratification bonus set for disbursement on December 1.

“With negotiations now officially behind us, we will focus our full attention on executing our Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan and serving our customers by delivering the high-quality products and technologies they want and expect, especially as we prepare to launch eight all-new electric vehicles in the U.S. market in 2024,” Mark Stewart, Stellantis North America COO said in statement.

Source: Detroit Free Press