UAW and Ford reach tentative agreement, potentially ending strike at the Big Three automaker

The Union has been on strike since Sept. 15

DETROIT (WTVQ) — The United Auto Workers union and Ford have agreed in principle to the terms of a tentative agreement that could signal the end to the nearly six-week strike at the Big Three automaker, sources have confirmed to ABC 36.

A tentative agreement could be announced as early as Wednesday night, pending the approval of UAW leadership, per sources.

In a video posted on X on Wednesday night, UAW President Shawn Fain urged Ford Motor employees to return to work while the two sides completed the details of the agreement.

In a statement released on Wednesday night, Ford CEO and President Jim Farley confirmed the tentative deal, saying “We are pleased to have reached a tentative agreement on a new labor contract with the UAW covering our U.S. operations.” Farley continued, “Ford is proud to assemble the most vehicles in America and employ the most hourly autoworkers. We are focused on restarting Kentucky Truck Plant, Michigan Assembly Plant and Chicago Assembly Plant, calling 20,000 Ford employees back to work and shipping our full lineup to our customers again.”

The deal includes a proposal for wage increases of at least 25% over the term of the deal and improved benefits for union members, according to those sources.

The deal would still need to be ratified by a majority of Ford’s 57,000 UAW members.

On Sept. 15, UAW members launched their strike against Ford, General Motors and Stellantis after they failed to reach a new contract agreement for plants in Michigan, Ohio and Missouri.

The union, which represents nearly 150,000 workers, demanded a 40% pay increase combined over the four-year duration of a new contract, as well as a 32-hour workweek at 40-hour pay.

Over the last few weeks, workers from other plants, including the Ford Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville, also began strikes, with nearly 45,000 UAW members walking off the job.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.