- UAW workers at GM's Flint assembly narrowly vote against new labor deal

Workers at General Motors’ Flint assembly plant in Michigan, belonging to the United Auto Workers (UAW), have narrowly rejected a proposed contract with the automaker, according to the union’s local chapter. The UAW Local 598 announced on Facebook that 51.8% of votes cast were against the deal. GM has chosen not to comment on the ratification process. This vote indicates that approval of the contract, which would significantly increase costs for GM, is not guaranteed. Workers at other GM plants will also vote on the agreement in the coming weeks. These votes are part of the UAW’s process of voting on contracts from each of the Detroit Big Three automakers, including General Motors, Ford Motor, and Chrysler-owner Stellantis, following a coordinated strike. The vote at the Flint assembly plant, which produces the Silverado heavy-duty pickup truck, comes after the UAW and the Detroit Three automakers reached tentative agreements to end a costly strike. The new agreement between the UAW and GM covers 46,000 workers and includes a 25% increase in base wage through April 2028, raising the top wage by 33% with estimated cost-of-living adjustments to over $42 an hour. Automakers have faced challenges in manufacturing electric vehicles and catching up with market leader Tesla. GM recently withdrew its full-year profit forecast and postponed a $4 billion electric truck plant in Michigan. In addition, the UAW announced that Mack Trucks, owned by Volvo Group, has informed the union that its offer to striking workers was its final one. Voting on the offer is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, according to the union.