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The United Auto Workers union has reached a tentative deal with Ford that would end a six-week-long strike. The proposed deal will give workers a 25% wage increase over the 4.5-year contract, with workers getting an initial salary increase of 11%.
The new contract would also eliminate lower-pay tiers for certain workers, which was a major sticking point for the union during negotiations.
UAW President Shawn Fain said that the contract would be submitted to a union council on Sunday (October 29). If they approve the contract, it will then be sent to the 57,000 unionized Ford employees for ratification.
"We made history," Fain said. "We told Ford to pony up, and they did."
"Ford is proud to assemble the most vehicles in America and employ the most hourly auto workers. We are focused on restarting Kentucky Truck Plant, Michigan Assembly Plant, and Chicago Assembly Plant, calling 20,000 Ford employees back to work and shipping our full lineup to our customers again," Ford said in a statement.
The union hopes the deal with Ford will serve as a template for securing new contracts with General Motors and Stelantis.