United Auto Workers Union Ratifies Tentative Pact With General Motors

By Christina Rogers 

The United Auto Workers has ratified a tentative labor deal with General Motors Co., freeing union leaders up to focus solely on a Ford Motor Co. pact that is in danger of being rejected Friday.

A GM resolution, coming after two weeks of meetings with skilled trades workers dissatisfied with the deal, solidifies a contract with the No.1 U.S. auto maker that could lift hourly compensation rates 10%, according to independent analysis published Friday.

GM and the UAW had drawn up an agreement in October that had been approved by workers overall, but was rejected by skilled-trades employees. UAW officials said they've held meetings with skilled-trade workers and secured changes from GM that respond to concerns.

In a statement, the UAW said it moved to ratify the contract because a majority of GM's 52,700 U.S. hourly workers support the deal and it believes it has addressed the outstanding issues with skilled-trade employees.

Write to Christina Rogers at [e-mail]

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(END) Dow Jones Newswires

November 20, 2015 18:51 ET (23:51 GMT)

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