The United Automobile Workers union, or UAW, has negotiated a new contract with General Motors, Ford, and Fiat Chrysler for 2019. The contract covers approximately 150,000 workers across the United States, and was ratified in late October.
One of the main priorities of the UAW in this contract negotiation was job security. The union sought to ensure that the automakers would not outsource jobs to other countries, and that they would invest in the communities where they operate. The new contract reportedly achieves these goals, with the automakers committing to investing billions of dollars in U.S. plants and creating new jobs.
The UAW also aimed to improve wages and benefits for its members. Under the new contract, many workers will receive pay raises and bonuses, and there will be improvements to health care and retirement benefits. The union also secured a path for temporary workers to become permanent employees, which is a significant victory for many workers who have been working for years without the job security and benefits of permanent employment.
Another key issue in this contract negotiation was the use of temporary workers by the automakers. The UAW pushed for limits on the number of temporary workers that the companies can hire, and for those workers to be given a path to permanent employment. While the new contract does not eliminate the use of temporary workers entirely, it does offer some protections and opportunities for these workers.
Overall, the new UAW contract for 2019 represents a significant victory for the union and its members. It provides improved job security, wages, and benefits, and takes steps to address some of the concerns that workers have about the use of temporary employees. While there are still challenges facing the auto industry and its workforce, this new contract represents a positive step forward for the UAW and its members.