In a last-minute deal that averted a potential strike, the United Automobile Workers (U.A.W) reached an agreement with Daimler Truck in North Carolina. The deal, which includes 25 percent raises over the next four years for the 7,300 Daimler employees represented by the union, comes after the contract expired on Friday.
The U.A.W represents workers at four factories in North Carolina, as well as parts distribution centers in Atlanta and Memphis. The new agreement not only includes significant raises but also profit sharing, automatic cost-of-living increases, and equalizes pay among workers at the North Carolina factories.
U.A.W. leader Shawn Fain hailed the agreement as a victory in expanding the union’s power in Southern states, where union presence has historically been weak. Fain announced that workers will receive raises of at least 16 percent in the first year after ratifying the contract.
The union was prepared to strike if a new agreement could not be reached before the deadline, but ultimately negotiations proved successful. The U.A.W’s ability to secure such substantial raises and other benefits for its members is seen as a significant win for the union and its members.
The deal with Daimler Truck in North Carolina highlights the U.A.W’s commitment to fighting for the rights and fair treatment of workers, as well as its ongoing efforts to strengthen its presence in states where unions have traditionally faced challenges.
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