It currently looks like the UAW voting reveals the tentative agreement with the Detroit 3 automakers will pass with an overwhelming majority of approval.
Automotive News analysis of the results shows the agreement will pass with a simple majority even with voting still going on.
UAW voting results
Before we get into the results, it is important to remember how we got here.
The 6-week long strike began when UAW President Shawn Fain announced a targeted “stand up” strike at individual assembly plants and other facilities. These strikes were different than in year’s past where the UAW would bargain with one automaker, then the others would agree to the agreement. This time, each automaker negotiated individually with the UAW.
With this new strategy, it put more focus on individual local UAW voting at various assembly plants and other facilities.
It also added a lot more drama to the process, as we’ve covered with individual assembly plants either rejecting or narrowly accepting the tentative agreement.
Now, the votes are really coming in with the end of voting wrapping up.
Early results at Stellantis and Ford show the agreement passing by a margin of 68% to 32% based on the number of votes already counted. The remaining votes are not enough to overcome this margin, and a simple majority is needed for passage.
Ford votes are ahead by 12,000 for approval, while Stellantis voting shows the deal is ahead by 9,653 votes.
GM UAW members have been less supportive of the agreement with a margin of 55% to 45%. The deal was rejected by a majority of workers at seven of the 11 U.S. assembly plants.
The tentative agreement is rather complex with different benefits for workers at different plants. Overall, UAW members will see 25% pay raises through April 2028 and a $5,000 ratification bonus. Plus, cost-of-living adjustments have been restored, meaning many workers will ultimately see pay at 30% more than their current pay.
While this sounds like a great deal, we’ve heard from many UAW members who voted against the deal citing things like mandatory overtime concerns (working 6 days a week for years), pension concerns and a variety of other items.
The bottom line
It looks like the strike is over, and that’s good news for the economy and consumers. As with most strikes, neither side got everything it wanted, and there are certainly mixed feelings amongst UAW members.
The big question, for us: What is going to happen when this contract expires. Will we see more targeted strikes, or can the UAW avoid these with its newly granted rights, as per the deal, to strike anywhere and anytime they like against the Detroit 3. This could be the story that never ends.
