Two More Locals Reject Proposed UAW-FCA US Contract

Cameron Aubernon
by Cameron Aubernon

Two more local unions rejected the proposed four-year contract deal between FCA US and the UAW Friday, adding to the growing opposition as voting continues.

Per The Detroit News, overwhelming majorities at Trenton Engine Complex in Trenton, Mich. and Toledo Machinery in Toledo, Ohio made their displeasure with the deal known by casting their votes against agreement. At Trenton, 80 percent of production workers and 71 percent of skilled trades voted down the contract, while 71.5 percent at Toledo felt the same, as reported by UAW Local 372 and Amalgamated Local 1435, respectively. The two plants join Dundee Engine, Sterling Stamping, and Kokomo Casting in rejecting the proposal.

Meanwhile, voting continues for Sterling Heights Assembly, Toledo Assembly Complex, Warren Truck Plant and Belvidere Assembly, all four accounting for over 16,000 of the 40,000 which would be affected by the proposal, which includes $3,000 ratification bonuses (down $500 from the previous bonuses in 2011); wage increases for both tiers; massive profit-sharing tied to FCA’s North American operations; a narrowed pay gap between entry and veteran employees; and $5.3 billion in plant investments.

The agreement, however, does not eliminate the two-tier wage system established in 2007 among the Detroit Three, nor does it cap the number of entry-level workers hired. Other issues noted by those voting against include a lack of focus on alternative work schedules, lack of information on a new union health care co-op, and the increase in wages being not enough.

Should the proposal be rejected, the UAW and FCA US could go back to negotiations, the union could vote to strike, or the union could turn its attentions to General Motors and Ford.

Photo credit: Dodge/ Facebook

Cameron Aubernon
Cameron Aubernon

Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.

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  • RRocket RRocket on Sep 26, 2015

    Let me correct you: A $60k a year job that requires no special skill or education with great benefits.

    • See 6 previous
    • Corey Lewis Corey Lewis on Sep 28, 2015

      @highdesertcat LOL, what they fell asleep in.

  • Master Baiter Master Baiter on Sep 26, 2015

    Nice headlights. . .

  • Fpeck Fpeck on Sep 28, 2015

    So ridehigh obviously since were making banket assumptions judging by your avitar you must like four wheel drive trucks therefore I must assume you must also live in a trailor with a confederate flag flying high out front on a flag pole in the middle of texas somewhere ,one of my uneducated line workers as you put it has a masters degree and another is going for a degree in genetic engineering I myself also have a four year degree I will admit there are a few bad apples that make us all look bad but people have to keep in mind we have a mix of folks just like any other work environment the only reason we get so much publicity is the fact that the media tries at any chance they get to vilify any kind of organized labor you have to take into consideration who controls the media I will give you a clue they make a hell of a lot more than you or I and very much want to maintain that status so if you look back in history and want to return to the days of surftom or maybe the good old days just before the great depression when all the wealth in this country was cotrolled by a very few and take your child to work day was not just a way to show your child what you did for a living then watch what happens when all the unions are gone in this country , judging by your posts you either couldn't pass the test to get into an automotive plant or you must be sitting on your ass all day in a cubical telling yourself all the while your the master of your universe or maybe your just one of those 1%ers.

  • Mikey Mikey on Sep 28, 2015

    fpeck..I don't believe that was the point that Ride Height" was trying to make. Maybe I ,misunderstood , but I think he was pointing out , that with the passing of the well paid blue collar job. A "way of life" has changed I. like many of my friends and co workers, spent years in the blue collar world. I also put two kids through university. Today the opportunity for a limited educated parent to do such a thing is gone. I believe that was "Ride Heights" point.

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