(WXYZ) — The UAW and General Motors reached a tentative agreement on a new 4-year contract after 31 days of striking on Wednesday.
The union and GM have been working for months on a new contract, and officially went on strike on Sept. 14 when the previous contract expired.
According to the union, until the UAW GM Council votes to approve the proposed tentative agreement, the strike will continue. The council will decide on whether to continue the strike during a meeting on Thursday.
Once the UAW National GM Council votes to proposed tentative agreement, the contract language will then become a tentative agreement and shared with all 45,000 UAW-GM members. They will then vote on the agreement, and if it passes, the agreement will be ratified and become the new 4-year contract workers will work under.
After the GM contract is ratified, the UAW will move to Ford and Fiat Chrysler with this template to also negotiate new four-year contracts with those companies.
“The number one priority of the national negotiation team has been to secure a strong and fair contract that our members deserve,” said UAW Vice President Terry Dittes, Director of the UAW GM Department. Out of respect for our members, we will refrain from commenting on the details until the UAW GM leaders gather together and receive all details.
“We are extremely grateful to the thousands of Americans who donated goods and helped our striking workers and their families. As we await the Council’s decision, please know that the outpouring of community and national support will be etched in the memories of all of us at the UAW for years to come,” said Dittes.
“The dignity, grace, and solidarity demonstrated by our members during the last few weeks are prime examples of what this union is all about — supporting one another in the good and bad times and never giving up,” UAW President Gary Jones said. “Our more than 48,000 members standing their ground have captured the hearts and minds of people across this country. I could not be prouder of our brothers and sisters, our National Negotiators, and the National Council as they continue to fight one day longer to secure the best deal for our members."
“We can confirm the UAW’s statement regarding a proposed tentative agreement. Additional details will be provided at the appropriate time," GM said in a statement.
