The United Auto Workers has reached an agreement with GeneralMotors, and bargaining has shifted to the Ford Motor Co.
A feature ofthe UAW–GM contract is a job security provision which guarantees thatworkers with at least 1 year of service will not be laid off because ofthe introduction of new technology, “outsourcing,” negotiatedproductivity improvements, shifting of work from one GM plant toanother, or the consolidation of component production. The United Mine Workers and the Bituminous Coal OperatorsAssociation settled peacefully on a 40-month contract. Union presidentRich Trumka said the contract contained “no concessions, absolutelynone.” An industry official described the contract as “fairand modest.” Detailed provisions of the UAW/Bituminous Coal OperatorsAssociation and UAW/GM–Ford agreements will appear in the DecemberMonthly Labor Review.
