UAW president says GM has agreed to put battery plant workers under union contract

DETROIT — The United Auto Workers said General Motors made concessions in talks, agreeing to put EV battery plant workers under the union’s “master agreement” in response to union threats to strike at one of its biggest money-making assembly plants.

The UAW has ratcheted up activity against different automakers each week in its first coordinated strike against General Motors, Ford Motor and Chrysler parent Stellantis, now entering its fourth week.

“Our strike is working but we’re not there yet,” said President Shawn Fain.

This week, the UAW had considered a strike against GM’s highly profitable Arlington, Texas, plant that makes SUVs. Given GM’s concessions, that move is now on hold.

“GM has agreed to lay the foundation for a just transition” to EVs, Fain said in his live broadcast, adding the company had “leapfrogged” the pack in negotiations with the UAW.

GM has Ultium battery plants in Lordstown, Ohio, and Spring Hill, Tenn.