Hammond autoworkers reach 3rd tentative agreement with Lear
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Michigan-based Lear Corp. and United Auto Workers Local 2335 in Hammond have reached a third tentative contract agreement.
Our partners at The Times of Northwest Indiana report the contract, if ratified by the union, will provide wage increases and keep health benefits steady for workers at Lear’s Hammond plant.
Two previous contract proposals were shot down by workers over the past month.
The new proposal would increase the top wage to $27.07 per hour, in increase of $1.56, upon ratification; that would continue to increase to $34 an hour over four years, according to a contract summary obtained by The Times.
Maintenance workers would see an automatic increase to $26 an hour, rising to $32 an hour over the four-year period.
Additionally, there would be no increases to the workers’ weekly medical plan premiums, with no changes to health reimbursement arrangement plans or dental plans.
Lear Corp. agreed to restore job security language to the contract that includes one week of pay for every year of service as part of a severance package. The company is also making additional 401(k) contributions for certain employees.
The Hammond factory supplies automotive seats to a Chicago assembly plant which produces the Ford Explorer, Lincoln Aviator and Police Interceptor Utility vehicles.
A time frame for a ratification vote was not provided, though the UAW Local 2335 has its next meeting scheduled for Sept. 17, according to the union’s website.