Tentative deal with Ford includes largest wage increase in Unifor, CAW history

globalnews.ca:

Unifor members have accepted a tentative deal reached with Ford Motor Co. this week that includes what the union has described as the “single largest negotiated general wage increase in Unifor and CAW history.”Ratification meetings are being held this weekend with voting closing at 10 a.m.

Sunday and results expected “shortly after,” a union spokesperson said.The deal was reached after Unifor extended its strike deadline by 24 hours late Monday after receiving what it called a “substantive offer” from Ford.Details of that offer have since been made public and include changes to what Unifor calls its four core priorities: pensions, wages, electric vehicle (EV) transition supports and investment.Among the highlights of the tentative deal is the first cost of living adjustment (COLA) since 2008, the union says.Once the COLA fold-in is applied, “members will receive what is an extraordinary 10 per cent general wage increase, effective September 25,” the union says.Members would see a two per cent wage increase in the second year of the deal and a three per cent wage increase in the final year.Skilled trades would see additional wage adjustments of 2.75 per cent in year one and 2.5 per cent in year three.Additionally, the time it takes for those hired after 2012 to reach the prevailing rate of pay has been cut in half from eight years to four. That also means that Unifor members with four to seven years of seniority would automatically be moved up to the top rate of pay upon ratification of the agreement.The tentative deal also includes special EV transition supports specific to the Oakville assembly complex, which will be undergoing a retooling period.