By The United Auto Workers (UAW) union has ratified a new contract with General Motors (GM) following a contentious and tumultuous vote process. The four-year agreement, which was announced late last month, has been approved by a slim margin of 57.3 percent, with some unions voting overwhelmingly in favor while others voted against it.
The UAW-GM agreement includes a $9 billion investment by GM in 17 new or renovated plants across the United States, as well as a path to full-time wages for all temporary workers. Additionally, the agreement creates a new incentive program for current workers, boosts the workforce by 5,400, and includes a path to permanent employment for temporary workers.
The contentious vote has been attributed to discontent among some workers with the agreement’s terms and the length of the negotiating process. The deal was a contentious one for GM workers, who felt squeezed by the company’s decision to close several plants over the last few years and reduce headcount. Additionally, some workers have argued that the incentives for temporary workers is not sufficient.
Despite the slim margin of approval, the deal is now ratified and provides some stability and security for GM and its workers. The agreement puts an end to a months-long process of negotiation and provides a path forward for GM and its workers as they move into the future.
