More than 1,000 union members at Stellantis‘ castings plant in Kokomo, Ind., went on strike Saturday after contract negotiations broke down, but the union and mangement reached a tentative agreement on a new contract early Monday.
It was not immediately clear Monday if union members returned to work after the tentative contract was announced. Ratification votes were scheduled for Monday morning.
“Our bargaining committee has been working to secure a local contract that meets the demands of the membership,” UAW Local 1166 said in a statement posted on its website. “We thank everyone for the solidarity you have shown. We are happy to announce that we have reached a tentative agreement that we believe addresses the issues that are most important to you.”
The statement gave times and locations for the ratification meetings, but did not dislose any details about terms of the agreement.
“Stellantis confirms that the company and UAW Local 1166, representing the workers at the Kokomo, Indiana, Casting Plant, have reached a proposed tentative agreement on a new local contract,” Stellantis said in a statement. “As the tentative agreement still needs to be ratified by the workforce, we will not comment further.”
A UAW spokeswoman also could not be immediately reached for further comment.
On Saturday, UAW Local 1166 said the company has deprived its members of a “safe and comfortable workplace” by neglecting to repair HVAC systems and address other health and safety issues, according to a UAW statement. The Stellantis website said the plant is the largest die-cast facility in the world and makes engines and transmission parts.
“Stellantis claims it has no money to meet the basic needs of UAW Local 1166 members while, at the same time, it is making record profits and investing billions in a new battery plant across the street,” UAW Vice President Cindy Estrada said in the statement. “Enough is enough.”
The walkout was another sign of the tension between automakers and the union as the industry shifts to electric vehicles. Stellantis and South Korea’s Samsung SDI Co. announced in July they’re investing $2.5 billion to build a battery plant in Kokomo. The union is worried about protecting jobs at combustion-engine parts factories and wants to ensure that workers who make batteries have UAW representation and comparable wages and benefits.
