Daimler Truck AG Avoids Strike, Unveils eActros
In a significant development, Daimler Truck AG unveiled its new electric truck, the eActros, at the Mercedes-Benz truck plant on October 7, 2021. This unveiling comes on the heels of a potentially disruptive labor dispute that was narrowly averted by the company.
The threat of a strike loomed large as Daimler Truck reached a new labor contract with over 7,300 hourly workers represented by the UAW (United Auto Workers) at the last minute. UAW President Shawn Fain expressed satisfaction with the tentative deal, which workers still need to ratify through a vote.
The agreement, which covers workers at Daimler Truck, maker of Freightliner and Western Star trucks and Thomas Built buses, includes a minimum 25% general wage increase over the four-year contract. Workers will also receive immediate pay raise, cost-of-living adjustments, profit-sharing, and the end of wage tiers.
The deal comes as a relief for both parties, ensuring smooth operations and mutual benefits. This development also comes just in time as UAW members are set to vote on the new contracts in the coming days.
Additionally, the agreement comes ahead of a pivotal vote on unionizing at a Mercedes assembly plant in Alabama in three weeks. The lowest paid workers at Thomas Built buses, in particular, will see substantial raises of over $8 an hour, further underscoring the positive outcome of the negotiations.
Overall, the successful negotiation between Daimler Truck AG and the UAW serves as a testament to the importance of dialogue and compromise in resolving labor disputes and ensuring fair treatment for workers across the industry.
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