Two near-retirees say they're happy to see young workers and temps get a path to full-time status.
FLINT, Mich. (WJRT) - Two near-retirees at Flint Assembly believe the new tentative deal will be a big help for their young co-workers.
UAW President Shawn Fain livestreamed a highlighter for the deal at noon on Saturday.
"The other automobile manufacturers got theirs. We're glad we got ours," said Steve Hanson, at worker of 51 years at Flint Assembly.
He remembers being brought on as a full time employee after just three months and feeling frustrated that previous strikes didn't win that kind of on-ramp for temporary workers.
"This is a great contract, I think. It's gonna really help out the temps and the people that are gonna stay around," said Hanson.
The new bargain lets current temps with at least three months go senior right away and new temps will only have to work for nine months.
Another worker, Jeff Stevens, believes the raises and shortened wage progression will be a hand-up for his co-workers.
"We've been longing for- for them to come up to our level... It'll give them incentive to save up and get the economy rolling a little bit better here," remarked Stevens.
On the retirement front, the tentative deal offers a worker buyout for $50,000, as well as added payments for retirees and spouses.
Stevens and Hanson feel they're satisfied, and expect to say "yes" when the time comes for a vote.
