MILWAUKEE — After six weeks on the picket lines, the United Auto Workers Union and Ford reached a tentative labor deal on Wednesday night.
The agreement sets the stage to return 16,000 striking Ford workers to the job within days.
The deal reportedly gives union workers at Ford an immediate 11% pay increase and then pay hikes beginning at 25% over the next four-plus years.
UAW President Shawn Fain said his group’s move earlier this week to target and strike profitable factories of two other major automakers made a difference at the bargaining table with Ford.
The union expanded its strike Monday at Stellantis’ largest plant followed Tuesday by a strike at General Motors’ Arlington-Texas plant.
President of the Milwaukee Area Labor Council, Pam Fendt, applauded the actions in a statement.
“Congratulations to UAW, under the leadership of President Shawn Fain the members have stood strong for 40 some day in the stand-up strike,” said Fendt. “Their resolve has resulted in a historic TA. Hopefully, the other auto companies follow suit.”
UAW workers at the Stellantis parts plant on Milwaukee’s south side remain on strike for now.
Workers like Sonja Wilson said this has been taking a toll on her financially. She’s driving Uber to help make up for the lost wages that come with being on strike.
“I wanted to pay my bills and not be homeless, so I had to go to work,” said Wilson.
Wilson is patiently awaiting the day she and the 80-plus other workers standing alongside her can get back to work.
“I love my job,” she said. “It’s a great place to work. The work we do, we’re not getting paid what we deserve.”
Tina Lake is the strike leader. Lake said everyone has been dedicated but eager to get back.
“We’re just trying to show the company that we do want our jobs,” said Lake. “Rain or shine, here we are.”
Lake said the past few weeks of no work is making a financial impact on many.
“It’s starting to hit everyone’s pocketbook,” she said. “A little over a month out here, things are different. We’ve got to cut back on certain things.”
The workers have gained support from passers-by honking their horns and even from neighbors.
Duane Rondorf lives across the street. He’s worked union jobs his entire life. Rondorf stands alongside them most days but has also been allowing workers to use his garage to store their equipment and signs every night.
Rondorf said he wants to show support any way he can.
“I just hope they get back to work soon,” he said. “I enjoy their company, but I’d rather see them at work.”
Wilson said it’s the solidarity that keeps them going.
“We’ve had people who have been here 45 years and people like me who’ve been here a year and a half and everyone’s working together to get the same goal,” said Wilson.
She said they’ll continue to stand united with workers in Wisconsin and across the country, hoping for a positive end to it all.