IUE-CWA Reaches Tentative Agreement with General Motors

TROY, Mich., Nov. 17, 2003 -- After days of intensive negotiations, IUE-CWA reached a tentative four-year contract with General Motors covering the union's 4,000 members at the Moraine, Ohio, assembly plant.

"This is an outstanding new contract that assures the job security of Local 798's members with new investment and a new product," said James D. Clark, who as chairman of the union's Automotive Conference Board leads the national negotiations.

GM agreed to invest $50 million into the Moraine facility and will bring in a new vehicle, the SAAB SUV. Production will start next fall under the terms of the tentative agreement, which is subject to membership ratification.

"It was the leadership of Local 798's bargaining committee and our members' award-winning productivity and quality that positioned the union to win this new product line," said Clark. "I commend the bargaining committee for the gains we achieved in the new contract. This agreement will benefit not only Local 798 members, but the Dayton economy as well."

As part of the new national agreement, GM said it would consider backing the Kennedy-Miller Employee Free Choice Act that would reform federal labor law by requiring card check elections and employer neutrality in organizing campaigns. GM also promised to join with the union in fighting for national health care coverage.

The tentative agreement matches the pattern in auto industry talks, including a $3,000 signing bonus and improvements in pension and health care coverage.

"As is its tradition, IUE-CWA has successfully concluded negotiations with the top two employers in the American auto industry," said IUE-CWA President Edward Fire, referring to the tentative agreement reached yesterday with Delphi Corporation. "I am pleased and proud of the work done by Chairman Clark, the Automotive Conference Board and Local 798 in reaching this excellent agreement."

IUE-CWA now will turn its focus to negotiations with auto parts manufacturer Visteon.

Voting on the tentative agreement is expected to be completed by November 24.