GM, UAW reach tentative contract agreement

(September 17, 2011) DETROIT — The UAW and General Motors agreed late Friday on a tentative, four-year labor agreement covering wages and benefits for about 48,000 workers.

Specific terms of the deal were not immediately available, but the union said it "successfully fought back efforts to make major changes — and weaken — our retirement plan."

"We used a creative problem solving approach to reach an agreement that addresses the needs of employees and positions our business for long-term success," said Cathy Clegg, GM vice president, Labor Relations.  "We worked hard for a contract that recognizes the realities of today's marketplace, enabling GM to continue to invest in U.S. manufacturing and provide good jobs to thousands of Americans."

In a statement the union also said the settlement "will get our members who have been laid off back to work, will create new jobs in our communities and will bring work back to the United States from other countries."

Since restructuring in August 2009, GM has announced investments of more than $5.1 billion and created or retained almost 13,000 jobs in its U.S. manufacturing plants.

Terms of the four-year agreement are not being shared publicly to allow the UAW International to educate its membership about the agreement and conduct a ratification vote. The vote is expected to take place within the next seven to 10 days.

GM said the union was expected to hold a ratification vote on the pact within the next seven to 10 days. UAW leaders are expected to gather in Detroit on Tuesday to hear details of the agreement.

Chrysler and Ford have yet to reach terms with the UAW.

Sources: General Motors, Automotive News