GM reaches 'tentative' deal with striking UAW workers

The United Auto Workers (UAW) union has announced a tentative deal with General Motors after weeks of negotiations and one of the longest strikes in the company’s history.

The four-year agreement, which would cover almost 50,000 workers, signals a possible end to the walkout, which has halted work at factories and cost the carmaker millions of dollars.

The deal remains subject to approval by UAW leaders and its members.

Details were not immediately available.

Union negotiators said the accord included “major gains” for members.

“The number one priority of the national negotiation team has been to secure a strong and fair contract that our members deserve,” said UAW vice president Terry Dittes, director of the UAW GM department.

“Out of respect for our members, we will refrain from commenting on the details until the UAW GM leaders gather together and receive all details.”

GM confirmed the tentative agreement, but declined to provide further details.

Necessary response

Shares in General Motors rallied about 2% after the announcement. However, the UAW must vote to end the strike before staff return to work.

The strike started last month after the union’s previous four-year contract with GM expired. It is the first stoppage since 2007, when there was a two-day walkout.

Negotiations have covered wages, healthcare, profit-sharing and job security.

The union has also been fighting to stop GM from closing car assembly plants in Ohio and Michigan, which the company has said were necessary in response to a slowdown in auto sales.

Recovery

GM reported profits of $8bn last year but the firm has been retooling its operations in anticipation of the slowdown and other market shifts, including the push for self-driving cars.

However, workers say they have been patient as the car giant recovered from the troubles that forced a government-led bailout in 2009.

At the time, workers agreed to pay caps and to allow GM to hire temporary workers, who received lower pay. The union had hoped to remove those concessions this time around.

Negotiations started in July, but the two sides failed to reach a deal by September, leading to the walkout.

It is the longest in decades and its impact has been felt throughout the Michigan economy.

Analysts estimate it is costing GM about $90m a day.

Any deal is expected to set the tone for negotiations with other carmakers, including Ford and Chrysler.