Contract Delivers on Health Care, Economic Gains, Workers’ Rights
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| The 2003 UAW Ford National Negotiating Committee. Front row, from left: Jeff Washington, committee secretary; UAW Vice President Gerald Bantom; UAW President Ron Gettelfinger, and Joel Goddard, committee chairperson. |
On the opening day of 2003 auto negotiations, UAW President Ron Gettelfinger stood in front of a banner that proclaimed “Bargaining for America.” The UAW was sending a message both to the company and to all working Americans: The gains and protections won by our union help raise the standards for all workers. This agreement carries on that tradition.
At a time most employers are shifting the rising costs of health care onto the workers, Gettelfinger has publicly and repeatedly sent a clear message to the auto companies: no cost-shifting or benefit reductions. This four-year contract delivers on that promise and more for Ford and Visteon workers and retirees. It includes economic gains and improved pensions, and protects the many hard-won achievements of previous contracts.
These contract talks were the first time the UAW concluded negotiations with each of the Big Three within days of their common expiration dates.
Led by Gettelfinger and UAW Vice President Gerald Bantom, the negotiating committee, chaired by Joel Goddard of Local 898, faced difficult and demanding challenges. “This bargaining committee put forward a tremendous effort to reach a fair and equitable agreement,” said Bantom. “Once again, the interests of both Ford and Visteon workers were protected.”
“I commend Vice President Bantom’s team, the International Union staff who assisted the negotiators and this national negotiating committee who devoted many long hours to the bargaining process,” said Gettelfinger. “We want to thank the membership and local union leadership for the solid support given to the UAW’s bargaining team throughout these negotiations. With teamwork in the leadership and solidarity in the ranks, we accomplished our major bargaining goals.”
DURATION AND RATIFICATION
The proposed new agreement, when ratified, will be effective for four years
and will expire at midnight Sept. 14, 2007. These proposed changes in the
agreement between the UAW and Ford Motor Co. will not take effect until the
tentative agreement is ratified by a majority vote of the UAW Ford membership,
and then only on the appropriate dates specified.
UAW FORD REPORT
This report was prepared for the UAW National Ford Department, Vice President
and Director Gerald Bantom, by the UAW Public Relations and Publications Department.
This is a summary of the tentative agreement language. In all cases, actual
contract language will apply.
