UAW 1714 at GM Lordstown passes contract, but concerns remain

LORDSTOWN — The local contract that covers about 1,400 members in the United Auto Workers Local 1714 has been approved, but it has not been ratified.

Skilled-trades workers approved the new contract 68 percent to 32 percent and production workers turned down the pact 52 percent to 48 percent.

Overall, the contract passed 53 percent to 47 percent.

Now, the union leadership will meet with employees from all three shifts at the General Motors Lordstown Assembly Plant to find out what their concerns are with the local contract.

“At that point, the bargaining unit will take it up with local management to try to resolve those issues,” said Robert Morales, president of Local 1714.

If the issues cannot be resolved that way, they will be sent up to the international union.

Local 1714 members will not take another vote on the contract.

“It’s hard to pinpoint right now exactly what the membership is not happy with,” Morales said.