DETROIT – The United Auto Workers and Ford Motor Company have reached a tentative contract agreement.
The agreement occurred Wednesday (Oct. 25) night, ending the union’s 6-week-old strikes against the automaker.
When a deal is agreed upon with one automaker, it usually leads to other companies matching it with their own agreements.
Reports indicate that the agreement could be used as a model to seek similar contract settlements with General Motors and Stellantis as in previous strikes.
Agreement will need to be ratified by UAW members.
Click here to watch UAW President Shawn Fain’s announcement.
“For months we’ve said that record profits mean record contracts. And UAW family, our Stand Up Strike has delivered. What started at three plants at midnight on September 15, has become a national movement,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “We won things nobody thought possible. Since the strike began, Ford put 50% more on the table than when we walked out. This agreement sets us on a new path to make things right at Ford, at the Big Three, and across the auto industry. Together, we are turning the tide for the working class in this country.”
“Our union has united in a way we haven’t seen in years. From the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico, our members came together to tell the Big Three with one voice that record profits mean a record contract,” said UAW Vice President Chuck Browning. “Thanks to the power of our members on the picket line and the threat of more strikes to come, we have won the most lucrative agreement per member since Walter Reuther was president.”
UAW President Shaw Fain
“We are pleased to have reached a tentative agreement on a new labor contract with the UAW covering our U.S. operations.
Ford is proud to assemble the most vehicles in America and employ the most hourly autoworkers. We are focused on restarting Kentucky Truck Plant, Michigan Assembly Plant and Chicago Assembly Plant, calling 20,000 Ford employees back to work and shipping our full lineup to our customers again.
The agreement is subject to ratification by Ford’s UAW-represented employees. Consistent with the ratification process, the UAW will share details with its membership.”
Ford CEO and President Jim Farley
“I want to congratulate the UAW and Ford for reaching an historic deal that benefits our world-class autoworkers and helps this world-class automaker succeed. This agreement will put more money into the pockets of hardworking Michiganders while ensuring the company can continue to grow and invest right here in Michigan.
“There is a lot riding on these negotiations. We are in a fierce competition with the rest of the world for the future of manufacturing – and all eyes are on Michigan. We can be the example to the rest of the nation on how to bring jobs back home from overseas and keep making stuff here in Michigan.
“I hope this momentum will help the UAW and the remaining companies reach an agreement so Michiganders can get back to doing what they do best. Michigan is home to phenomenal companies powered by the best autoworkers in the world. Let’s keep it that way.”
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer
“We are working constructively with the UAW to reach a tentative agreement as soon as possible.”
David Barnas from General Motors Communications
This is a breaking news story, and updates will be posted as they become available.