I’ve been covering the auto industry since 1989, first as CNN Detroit Bureau Chief, then as the National Auto Writer for the Associated Press, General Motors beat writer at the Detroit News and video reporter at Automotive News.
On their way in or out of the UAW Local 900 union hall to vote on a new 4.5 year contract workers at theMichigan Assembly Plant them paused for a moment to shake Scott Elliott's hand, telling him “thanks for everything you do,” or “Way to go Scott.”
John, an assembly worker with almost 30 years of service who declined to give his surname, elaborated on the frustration of legacy workers. Other workers who ended up voting to ratify the contract said they were grateful for any gains but at least two we spoke with thought the deal fell short in several areas including pay raises and retiree benefits.
What about the lengthening of the contract from four years to four-and-a-half years? The workers' feelings were less than unanimous about that too. “I think a lot of that has to do with the transition for the convention to give the president extra time to prepare,” said Elliott. “I saw when president Fain got sworn in and we had like four weeks before we begin bargaining. This gives the next president more time to prepare, and we get an extra raise out of it.”
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