Nov. 12, 2019—Workers at the Torrence Avenue plant in Chicago have gone on record opposing the four-year contract between Ford and United Auto Workers (UAW) per a report by Chicago Sun-Times. Workers at UAW Local 551 voted against the contract proposal 1,599 to 1,030.
Ford’s UAW units across the country are voting on the deal through Friday.
The Ford plant at 12600 S. Torrence Ave. in Chicago is the oldest in the company’s system and this year received a $1 billion investment and about 1,000 added jobs to accommodate its move to large SUVs, both gasoline and hybrid models, and away from the discontinued Ford Taurus sedan.
The contract provides 3 percent raises in the second and fourth years, plus lump sum payments equal to a 4 percent raise in the other years for permanent seniority workers, the UAW said. Workers also get a ratification bonus of $9,000 for permanent employees and $3,500 for temporary employees, who get the chance to achieve permanent status during the life of the contract.
