Ford, GM promote 1,500 temporary auto workers to full-time employees
More than 1,500 temporary auto workers were promoted to full-time status, the United Auto Workers announced Wednesday.
The promotions included 930 General Motors employees from 30 facilities and 592 Ford employees, according to the union. More promotions are on the way for temporary workers at both companies and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, union officials said.
“Our temporary employees are important to help keep our plants running efficiently,” a Ford spokesperson told FOX Business. “We are pleased to be able to offer them full-time employment at this time, consistent with our collective bargaining agreement.”
Lineworkers work on the chassis of full-size General Motors pickup trucks at the Flint Assembly plant on June 12, 2019 in Flint, Michigan. (Photo by JEFF KOWALSKY / AFP / Getty Images)
GM didn’t return FOX Business’ request for comment at time of publication. A GM spokesperson told the Free Press that the promoted workers are “great, experienced employees.”
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“Their transition to full-time regular status will help create more engaged and motivated teams in our plants, which is foundational to improving job satisfaction, health and safety and the quality of our products for our customers,” the spokesperson said.
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The promotions come with pay raises, paid time off and better health benefits, the Detroit Free Press reported.
Striking United Auto Workers union members picket at the General Motors Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Plant on September 25, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. The UAW called a strike against GM at midnight on September 15th, the union's first national strike s
“It opens up a door for me to think about going to the doctor or dentist too — because I have that insurance now — so it doesn’t come out of my paycheck,” Addarey Humphrey, one of the promoted workers, told the Free Press. “I can think about getting a house, too.”
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The automakers had pledged to convert the temporary workers in the contracts that GM workers ratified in October and Ford workers ratified in November. GM union members went on strike for more than a month during negotiations in September and October.