GM workers to vote on UAW contract next week

LORDSTOWN

The tentative agreement that covers 63 General Motors U.S. facilities is now out for more than 52,000 workers, including 4,500 employed at the GM Lordstown Assembly Plant, to review.

The agreement comes with wage increases across the workforce, better benefits for entry-level employees, investments in 12 different GM sites and the creation or retention of 3,300 jobs.

Employees will review the agreement with union leadership before voting starts on Nov. 5. Voting lasts 24 hours.

Union leaders approved the contract for a vote by employees on Wednesday.

Like a previous agreement reached with Fiat Chrysler workers, GM’s agreement would eliminate a two-tier wage system over eight years. GM currently pays recent hires less than longtime workers.

The agreement also would give longtime workers their first raises in nearly a decade. It would give both tiers of workers an $8,000 signing bonus if they ratify the contract.