UAW Local 2093 reaches tentative agreement with American Axle, awaiting member approval

During a Facebook livestream Wednesday evening, the United Auto Workers announced a tentative agreement with American Axle & Manufacturing — locally known as Dauch Corporation — where more than 1,000 members of UAW Local 2093 work.

The workers have been on strike since June 2 and will remain on strike until members vote on whether to ratify the proposed four-year contract.

“After 18 years of sacrifice these workers are finally winning back a big chunk of what was taken from them,” UAW President Shawn Fain said during the livestream.

“Ten days of sacrifice and solidarity to win back nearly 20 years of struggle,” Fain said. “That’s because our labor is our power. Never let them tell us we’re not worth a fair wage and a dignified life. Local 2093 showed us we don’t need to take their bullshit anymore.”

Fain praised Local 2093 for what he called a “masterclass” in running a contract campaign. He said workers were prepared to remain on strike for weeks or even months, but a tentative agreement was reached after 10 days.

The strike began June 2 after Local 2093 members and the company failed to reach a new labor agreement before the previous contract expired. Union leaders have said workers were seeking higher wages, improved benefits, and the restoration of concessions made during the company’s financial struggles in 2008.

The tentative agreement now awaits approval from union members, who will have an opportunity to review the full contract before voting on ratification. Informational meetings and ratification vote details are expected to be announced in the coming days.

What’s in the contract?

Bargaining Chair Josh Jager highlighted several of the agreement’s major gains during the livestream, beginning with the union’s rallying cry of “30 by 30” — meaning $30 per hour by 2030.

“By 2030, American Axle workers will be making $30/hour. That’s more than a 36% increase for a top rate in 4 years. This contract will change lives in Three Rivers and across southwest Michigan,” Jager said.

Jager also outlined several other provisions included in the tentative agreement:

• Members currently making $18 per hour would reach the top wage rate by the end of the contract, representing a 67% wage increase, according to union leaders.
• Workers hired before May 31, 2008 would receive an immediate $8-per-hour wage increase upon ratification, bringing them to the top wage rate.
• No health care premium cost increases for the life of the contract.
• Additional holidays, including Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Veterans Day, as well as additional time off around Christmas.
• Everyone with at least one year of seniority would receive an additional nine vacation days per year.
• A $2,000 ratification bonus.

Jager said additional details of the agreement will be released in the coming days.

He also said no workers crossed the picket line during the strike, and the local union is now at 100% dues-paying membership.

Watershed Voice will continue to provide updates on the contract and ratification process as additional details become available.

American Axle & Manufacturing did not respond to a request for comment before publication.

Maxwell Knauer is a staff writer for Watershed Voice.