LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – As negotiations between the United Auto Workers and the Big Three Automakers has eclipsed a month, Canada is beginniUnifng to show some progress in its negotiations.
Over the weekend, Unifor, the union representation for Canadian auto workers released details about the tentative agreement with General Motors.
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“It is thanks to the solidarity of you, the members, that it was possible to move General Motors to accept the pattern to the letter, including all items that company had initial fought us on such as pensions, retiree income supports and converting full-time temporary workers into permanent employees over the life of the agreement,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne alongside several GM bargaining chairs.
Most of the contract differences pertained to higher wages in the near future, including: Base hourly wage increases of nearly 20% for production and 25% for Skilled Trades over the lifetime of agreement, General wage increases in each year of the agreement with 10% in year one, 2% in year two and 3% in year three, and Start rate for Temporary Part Time and production workers increasing from $24.26 to $29.67/hr., further increasing to $30.26 within 12 months, and $31.16 by the end of the agreement according to the union.
Meanwhile, the UAW bargaining in the states is taking longer to accomplish firm agreements. On Friday, UAW President Shawn Fain announced that the union’s strike strategy would be changing significantly.
“When I tell all of you members to be ready to stand up, I mean it,” Fain said. “We’re not waiting until Fridays anymore. We’re not sticking to one pattern or one system of giving these companies an extra hour or an extra day. They know what needs to happen, and they know how to get it done.”
A targeted strike at a major Ford plant in Kentucky last Wednesday was hailed as a victory for the movement at large.
“Taking out Kentucky Truck sent a very clear message not only to Ford but to GM and Stellantis as well – don’t you dare slow walk us, or low ball us,” warned Fain, “We will take out whatever plants they force us to.”
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Ford recently announced it would be letting more employees go as the strikes continue, impacting its “highly interconnected production system.” More than 500 would be losing their jobs in Michigan.
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