UAW, GM REACH TENTATIVE DEAL

DETROIT

The United Auto Workers union reports that is reached a tentative proposed agreement with General Motors.

Local UAW Chapter 1714 president Robert Morales said he got word from International headquarters in Detroit around 11:55 p.m., just minutes before the 11:59 deadline set forth by the UAW.

The UAW raised the possibility of a strike if it could not come to a tentative agreement for a four-year contract renewal.

Some 53,000 UAW members work for General Motors and about 4,500 of them work at the Lordstown plant where the Chevy Cruze is manufactured.

Morales told The Vindicator shortly after midnight that he experienced a “sign of relief” when heard of the agreement, but that he was not yet aware of the specific provisions.

“We were prepared to go on strike,” Morales said. “But, I’m glad that both parties were able to come to the table and work something out.”

UAW Internaional announced in a post that it had “secured significant gains and job security protections.” The proposed agreement is awaiting approval from local union leaders who comprise the UAW National GM Council. The Council will attend a roll-out meeting in Detroit on Wednesday to review the agreement and vote on it.