After reaching a deal with Ford earlier this week, the United Auto Workers union (UAW) resumed negotiations with General Motors (GM) and Stellantis, according to news reports. Negotiations with both companies resumed late Thursday and adjourned early Friday, although talks with GM have already picked back up, while negotiations with Stellantis resuming soon.
Ford reached a deal with the UAW on Wednesday, becoming the first of the “big three” US auto manufacturers to end a six-week-old worker strike, which included 45,000 autoworkers. News reports say the Ford deal will likely set a patterns for Stellantis and GM’s new contracts.
According to news reports, GM CEO Mary Barra and UAW President Shawn Fain took part in negotiations on Thursday, and reports indicated both are “very close on economic provisions” with some final issues still under discussion.
Ford’s contract with the UAW, which still has to be ratified by union members, included a 25 percent wage increase, boosted retirement contributions, and the elimination of lower-pay tiers for certain workers. The UAW also negotiated for the right of workers to strike over plant closures.
In news reports, Ford’s Chief Financial Officer said the strike cost the automaker a total of $1.3 billion in earnings and 80,000 vehicles.