In a whirlwind of announcements over the weekend, the United Auto Workers have announced tentative agreements with Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis. Ford and Stellantis were the first companies to reach agreements with UAW, with General Motors following this morning after one of their largest plants in North America was called on to stand up and strike.  

The corporations and their CEOs repeatedly claimed that UAW members’ demands were unaffordable and unattainable. Meanwhile, the Big Three reported billion-dollar profits in 2023 alone, and CEOs Mary Barra, Jim Farley, and Carlos Tavares were taking home multimillion-dollar salaries. Through strong leadership, worker solidarity, a bold ‘stand up’ strike strategy, and a groundswell of community support, the UAW forced the Big Three to deliver for their workers. Now, 140,000 auto workers – the union’s highest authority – will vote on some of the largest gains on wages and Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA) members have seen in decades. 

Just as the Teamsters’ UPS contract earlier this year raised logistics industry standards and wages across the board, these new UAW contracts will set the standard for union and non-union auto workers across the nation, including thousands of workers at new electric vehicle manufacturing plants in union-hostile states. But the work doesn’t end here. 

In a strategic and powerful flex of worker power, the UAW has negotiated that all three new contracts will set to expire on May Day 2028 and encourage other unions to set the same expiration date for their contracts.  

This is a historic moment for workers. We are seeing significant gains and increasing opportunities for expanded bargaining for workers. It’s clearer than ever that a future for a just worker-led transition is not only possible, but it will thrive when workers and communities stand in solidarity against corporate greed. 

Jobs With Justice is proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with the brave workers who are leading the fight for a just worker-led transition and an economy that works for all. We will continue to show up in solidarity with UAW members as they vote to ratify their contracts with the Big Three.  
 

In solidarity,

Michaela Winter

Organizer

Jobs With Justice