SWARTZ CREEK, Mich. (WJRT) - The United Auto Workers have reached a tentative agreement with Ford on day 41 of the Stand Up Strike.
The proposed deal includes an 11 percent pay increase in the first year of the contract, with wage increases growing to 25 percent over the course of the 4 and a half year agreement.
Negotiations are still ongoing between the union and the other two automakers. General Motors employees in Swartz Creek say the Ford agreement makes them optimistic about negotiations with G.M., but they would like to see a little more included in a deal before they are ready to agree to end the strike.
"Unless we have health insurance after we retire and they look out for the retirees, then no. It's a no deal for me," said Deonte Stephen.
Stephen is a third-generation U.A.W. member. He says even though he is ready for the strike to end, he is picketing for more than just himself.
"I'm ready to go back, but the only way I'll go back is if it's right for everybody," said Stephen. "Not just a particular group of workers or this person, but it has to be right for everybody."
Louie Kolbe works at the same plant as Stephen, but he says he would gladly accept a deal similar to what Ford is offering.
Top of mind for him is the right to strike over plant closures. That is something included in the Ford deal, but to which G.M. has not yet agreed.
"I know for G.M., I want to know if we have the right to strike over plant closures," said Kolbe. "Job Security is very important to me."
Kolbe also says he would like to see an agreement reached so that he can go back to his regular paycheck, as opposed to the $500 he receives for striking each week.
"I know when I go back to work, I'm going to have to pay off some credit card bills and catch back up," said Kolbe. "But the most important thing is a fair deal. If we have to stay out here a little bit longer for a fair deal, then that's what we'll do.
Just because a tentative agreement is reached does not mean that the strike will immediately come to an end. Union leadership needs to review the deal before it is presented to the membership. Then, workers will vote on the agreement before it is signed
