Oct 16, 2019

Auto workers union reaches tentative deal with GM to end labor strike

Workers from United Auto Workers Local 440 picket outside a General Motors plant. Photo: Jeremy Hogan/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

The United Auto Workers has sealed a preliminary labor deal with automaker General Motors, the union announced on Wednesday.

"Today, after five weeks of intense negotiations, the UAW GM National Negotiators and UAW GM Vice President Terry Dittes announced the achievement of a Proposed Tentative Agreement with General Motors. The elected national negotiators voted to recommend the UAW GM National Council accept the Proposed Tentative Agreement as the agreement represents major gains for UAW workers."

The big picture: The 49,000-member strike, which has gone on for a month and brought 55 GM factories across the country to a halt, will continue for now as more details are hammered out. The agreement will not be ratified until it is approved by the UAW National GM Council and voted on by UAW-GM membership across the U.S.

Editor's note: This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Go deeper: U.S. jobs are key issue as GM strike drags on

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Joann Muller

GM workers will remain on strike during vote at union halls

Workers from United Auto Workers Local 440 picket at an entrance of General Motors' Bedford Powertrain factory during national labor strike against GM. Photo: SOPA Images/Contributor/Getty Images

The United Auto Workers strike against General Motors will continue for at least another week as union members vote on whether to ratify a tentative contract agreement.

Why it matters: The unusual decision by some 200 local union leaders from GM plants around the country means the economic pain for the company, its employees and suppliers will continue to mount at least through Oct. 25, when voting at local union halls is scheduled to conclude.

Go deeperOct 17, 2019

Joann Muller

GM labor deal could mean higher costs for all

UAW picket signs outside a GM plant in Detroit. Photo: Jeff Kowalsky/AFP via Getty Images

A tentative 4-year labor contract with the United Auto Workers lets GM shutter underutilized factories as it wanted, but could also lock in higher labor costs across the domestic auto industry.

Why it matters: Detroit typically follows "pattern" bargaining — the economic terms struck at one company are generally matched by other UAW-represented automakers, setting a uniform standard of living for all unionized auto workers.

Go deeperOct 18, 2019

Joann Muller

Ford and UAW reach fast deal with no strike

Photo: Bill Pugliano/Getty Images

United Auto Workers union leaders said Wednesday evening that they had reached a proposed tentative agreement with Ford — just five days after autoworkers ended the longest nationwide strike against General Motors in half a century.

Why it matters: Negotiations had been ongoing at Ford even during the GM strike, so when that work stoppage ended, the deal at Ford came swiftly without any labor disruption. UAW leaders indicated the contract terms are similar to those reached at GM.

Go deeperOct 31, 2019