UAW Workers Ratify 4-Year Deal With GM

[drew630]

DETROIT (AP) - The United Auto Workers union said Wednesday it has ratified a four-year contract with General Motors that sets lower pay for some workers and puts GM's massive retiree health care debt into a UAW-run trust in exchange for promises of future work at U.S. plants.


Sixty-six percent of production workers voted in favor of the deal, while 64 percent of skilled trades workers approved it, the UAW said in a statement.
The two sides settled on Sept. 26 after a two-day nationwide strike.
Word of the vote came as the union said it agreed on a tentative four-year contract with Chrysler LLC after a strike that sent thousands of workers to the picket lines for almost six hours.


UAW President Ron Gettelfinger said in the statement that the agreement protects jobs, wages and benefits for active and retired workers.
"And we helped protect middle class manufacturing jobs in communities throughout the United States," Gettelfinger said.



Rest at link:
http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/tic...0142&Symbol=GM

[unkillsam]

So basically what they are saying is that 30% of the workforce is dissatisfied with the agreement?

That can't be good.

[sigma]

Sixty six percent is a pretty good number for an agreement. It wasn't a perfect deal, but it gave GM the concessions they needed to cut into the $1500 per vehicle deficit they face on each car made here in the US. In return the UAW recieved job security guarentees. It's a fantastic agreement for both sides.

[ColinOpseth]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071011/...HUSoxV6hZv24cA

By TOM KRISHER and DEE-ANN DURBIN, AP Auto Writers 2 hours, 3 minutes ago
DETROIT - It took two short strikes, but the United Auto Workers union has new contracts with General Motors and Chrysler, and now it will move on to struggling Ford.

The union reached a tentative four-year deal with Chrysler LLC on Wednesday after a six-hour walkout. News of the pact came shortly after the UAW announced that General Motors Corp. workers had ratified their four-year agreement with the company.

But Ford Motor Co., which lost $12.6 billion last year, could be the toughest bargainer yet because of its weakened financial position. Industry analysts have said that Ford likely will seek a different deal than Chrysler and GM, perhaps with deeper concessions.
Ford spokesman Marcey Evans said Wednesday night the company had not heard from the union on when talks might resume.

A person with knowledge of the Chrysler agreement said it includes some guarantees that vehicles will be produced at U.S. factories, a company-funded union-run trust that will pay much of Chrysler's $18 billion in long-term retiree health care costs, and a lower wage scale for some newly hired workers.

[K-1]

Originally Posted by unkillsam

So basically what they are saying is that 30% of the workforce is dissatisfied with the agreement?

That can't be good.

Meh. Those dissatisfied with it can always quit and find a new job. They must have plenty of marketable skills to warrant $70+/hr in total compensation.

[emh]

Originally Posted by unkillsam

So basically what they are saying is that 30% of the workforce is dissatisfied with the agreement?

Depends on how many abstained, I guess... or do members HAVE to vote (or risk having their family members abducted by the UAW secret police etc.)?

[bobojay]

Being a UAW retiree, I think it's a great agreement for all involved.

No, you don't have to vote in these contract votes, just like you don't have to vote in a national election.

Some people will grumble about the terms, but underneath, they'll be happy with the results after they really see how things came out.

Now everyone needs to get on with building the best cars/trucks made in North America!

And that will happen.......

[Hurricane]

GM stock is getting a really nice bump today!

This bodes well for confidence in the future of GM.

[steverino]

8 hrs later and I'm your only post. Two things, I have nothing to do and this is OLD NEWS