Some Workers Unhappy With FCA-UAW Contract

Aaron Cole
by Aaron Cole

Parts and service workers say the recent Fiat Chrysler Automobiles-United Auto Workers contract has created an unfair, lower paying tier and are airing their uncertainty, the Detroit News reported.

Under the proposed contract, Mopar parts distribution center workers and axle operation workers top out at $22 and $22.35 respectively — less than the Tier 1 and Tier 2 pay raises up to $30 and $25 per hour respectively.

“They created a third tier,” Lamont Carr, a Local 1248 worker, told the Detroit News.

Union president Dennis Williams refuted the claim, saying the contract spelled out how the lower paid workers could move up to higher paying tiers by applying for those jobs.

“They’re not stuck. They’re not dead-end,” Williams told the Detroit News. “A tier system is when you don’t have a path. That is a tier system.”

The Mopar workers are eligible for the $3,000 ratification bonus, however. In 2011, those workers were only offered $1,750 to approve the new contract.

The contract would narrow the pay gap between veteran Tier 1 workers and newer-hired Tier 2 workers, (which comprise 45 percent of FCA’s union workforce), create a health-care co-op to corral costs and offer a profit sharing program, among other things.

Critics have said that the contract falls short of offering Tier 1 workers inflation-adjusted wages from their 2007 contract.

In the deal, FCA would move all car production to Mexico and the Ram 1500’s assembly would move from Mexico to Sterling Heights.


Aaron Cole
Aaron Cole

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  • TonyJZX TonyJZX on Sep 23, 2015

    Looks like she got hit in the face with the 'makeup shotgun'... with the fire selector at 'whore'. Still, this is a great thing to see early at work. My work is at least ok with this. Now back to your scheduled Volkswagen coverage.

  • Lou_BC Lou_BC on Sep 24, 2015

    Nothing like a large set of poorly concealed hooters to bring the left and right together.......... um........ that can be taken more than one way ;)

  • Jezza819 Jezza819 on Sep 24, 2015

    What does she assemble?

  • WildcatMatt WildcatMatt on Oct 08, 2015

    I think the photo is quite appropriate. The woman is clearly a metaphor for the $3k signing bonus. They eye candy catches your attention, so you overlook what's really going on.

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