The union claims to have “secured big gains and job protections” from the company, with signing bonuses of $8,000 for traditional workers — twice the voting incentive offered to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles employees.
Additional terms have not been publicly disclosed, though the union likely achieved concessions that will gradually narrow the pay gap between Tier 1 and Tier 2 workers. Implemented in the wake of the industry crisis of 2008-2009, the loathed two-tier structure has created tension between factory workers.
“Working with our UAW partners, we have reached a tentative agreement for the next four years for our employees and our business,” Ford said in a statement. “The agreement, if ratified, will help lead the Ford Motor Company, our employees and our communities into the future.”
The agreement comes more than a month after UAW local officials threatened to strike at the Kansas City Assembly Plant, potentially disrupting F-150 production as the new pickup already faced shortages due to frame shortages and other issues. The UAW ultimately backed off and allowed an extension for contract negotiations.
The four-year contract must now be ratified by a majority of the 52,000 workers spread across Ford’s US factories.
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