UAW Ratifies Contract at Tennessee GM Plant

SPRING HILL, Tenn.—Workers at General Motors’ Spring Hill plant have ratified a new five-year contract, United Auto Workers Local 1853 announced Apr. 8. “Management brought over 80 demands to the table, most of which were takeaways from our production and skilled trades members,” Local 1853 Chair Mike Herron told the Columbia Daily Herald. “We held off management on this agreement, and this agreement has many positive gains for our members, including job security and absolutely no concessions.” The agreement won approval from 63% of the more than 2,500 workers, but 57% of skilled workers voted no, worried that it wouldn’t stop outsourcing of jobs. Herron said he would meet with the 350 skilled workers to find out more about their objections. The deal will also bring back 30 workers who were laid off last year, and extends rehire rights for temporary workers, he added. The plant, about 35 miles south of Nashville, produces the Cadillac XT5 and GMC Acadia, and manufactures three types of engines. Read more