UAW ratifies contracts with GM, Ford

The United Auto Workers ratified the General Motors Co contract agreement late Friday night, following agreement between the union and GM over some language clarification regarding skilled trades classifications.

As per the four-year agreement, which came into effect Monday, the union spent two weeks researching why skilled trades workers rejected the deal, even though it had been approved by production workers.

The deal between the Detroit automaker and the UAW was agreed about a month ago.

The ratification of the deal with Ford was announced later last night. The deal was passed by a slim 51.4 per cent margin, according to the union, late yesterday with 51.3 per cent of production workers voting for the deal, while 52.4 per cent skilled trades said ''yes.''

UAW Ford vice president Jimmy Settles added, "There is no higher authority than the membership. Through a fair and democratic process UAW-Ford members have delivered job security and strong economic gains for their families and communities.''

"This agreement provides a good foundation for Ford Motor Company, our employees and our communities as we work together to create an even stronger business in the years ahead," said John Fleming, Ford's head of global manufacturing and labor affairs.

Of Detroit's Big Three, Ford was the last to vote on an agreement while Fiat Chrysler was the first.

Announcing the ratification with GM, UAW said in a statement, ''Following discussions with GM, the parties agreed to changes that protect core trades classifications and seniority rights. The UAW-GM Council met to discuss these changes and concluded that the common skilled trades issues were addressed and recommended that the changes be presented to the IEB (International Executive Board) with the council's full and unanimous support.

''Based on the fact that the majority of the UAW-GM membership ratified the national agreement and that the skilled trades membership concerns about protecting the core trades classifications and seniority rights have now been met, the IEB took action to formally ratify the UAW-GM national agreement.''

''Our UAW members have ratified the national agreement after a long process and much debate," said UAW president Dennis Williams in a statement.

"The voice of the majority has secured a strong future that will provide job security and economic stability for themselves and their families.''