by Ben Whedon
The United Auto Workers union and Ford Motor Company have reached a tentative deal to end the ongoing strike, pending approval from union leaders.
The ongoing strike has thus far lasted nearly six weeks. Exact terms of the agreement remain unclear, though the final deal could be announced as early as Wednesday evening, CNBC reported, citing sources familiar with the talks.
Negotiations between the union and manufacturer this week involved wage hikes of at least 25% and the improvement of other worker benefits. Even should the union leaders approval the terms of the deal, a majority of Ford union workers must ratify the arrangement.
News of the agreement follows the UAW expanding the strike to include a major Ford plant in Kentucky earlier this month, when roughly 8,700 workers walked off the job.
The strike began in mid-September, at which time the union staged targeted strikes at facilities belonging to Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis, formerly Chrysler. Union workers walked out of the Stellantis plant in Sterling Heights the week due to UAW frustrations with the slow pace of negotiations with Stellantis relative to the other two firms.
The UAW initially sought 36% raises, the transition to a four-day work week, and the return of traditional pensions.
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Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.
Photo “Striking Workers” by United Auto Workers.