Ford is getting back to business.
The automaker and the UAW reached a tentative agreement for a new contract agreement on Wednesday that brought an end to the ongoing strikes at several Ford factories.
“The agreement grants 25% in base wage increases through April 2028, and will cumulatively raise the top wage by over 30% to more than $40 an hour, and raise the starting wage by 68%, to over $28 an hour,” the union said in a press release.
“The lowest-paid workers at Ford will see a raise of more than 150% over the life of the agreement, with some workers receiving an immediate 85% increase immediately upon ratification.”
STELLANTIS CANCELS SEMA, L.A. AUTO SHOW PLANS DUE TO UAW STRIKE
The deal also includes the end of wage tiers and the reinstatement of cost of living allowances, improved retirement plans and other benefits, the release said.
The strike against Ford lasted for 41 days. The company said its priority is to restart production at the Kentucky Truck Plant that was idled last week and the Chicago Assembly Plant, while the Michigan Assembly Plant that builds the Ranger and Bronco and several supporting operations also need to be brought back on line.
Strikes against General Motors and Stellantis plants continue as contract negotiations with those automakers are ongoing.
The UAW walked out of GM’s Arlington Assembly Plant in Texas, which builds full-size SUV’s, and Stellantis’ Sterling Heights Assembly Plant in Michigan, where the Ram 1500 is manufactured, this week.
UAW workers are also on strike at the Stellantis factory in Toledo, Ohio, that builds the Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator models.
GM’s midsize truck factory in Wentzville, Missouri where the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon midsize pickups are built, and the Lansing Delta Assembly SUV plant in Michigan are also being struck and GM had to idle its Fairfax Assembly Plant in Kansas, which manufactures the Chevrolet Malibu and Cadillac XT4, due to parts shortages caused by the Wentzville strike.
GM said this week that the strike, which has lasted over 40 days, had cost it over $800 million so far.