UAW, Volvo negotiators agree to 30-day contract extension averting possible strike

A 30-day contract extension has been agreed to by United Auto Workers Local 2069 and Volvo Group North America, and averts a possible strike by union employees as early as tonight (Tuesday).

The current five-year contract, agreed to in 2016, was due to end tonight (Tuesday) at midnight.

The extension was announced this evening in a letter posted on the UAW Local 2069 Facebook page from Ray Curry, Secretary-Treasurer and Director of the UAW.

In the letter, Curry tells local union officials and membership that following a meeting on March 16, 2021 of the UAW/Volvo Bargaining Committee to review responses from Volvo officials, the union’s bargaining committee has been unable to reach a full agreement on all open issues.

“We remain committed to reaching a new collective bargaining agreement between the parties,” Curry writes.

“Your overwhelming support of the UAW/Volvo Bargaining Committee is still needed throughout this process to enable us to reach our goal of a fair and equitable agreement for the membership,” he continued.

Curry states that an extension of the current agreement has been signed between the parties and will expire on April 16, 2021.

In a message from Volvo, company officials assured employees that negotiations are continuing.

“This is to inform you that negotiations between the company and the United Auto Workers are continuing, and the parties have agreed to extend the terms and conditions of the existing contract until April 16^th to accommodate the continued talks.

“The collaborative working relationship that exists between management and the local UAW leadership has been in evidence throughout these negotiations, and we look forward to continuing our discussions of common issues.  We are committed to working with the UAW to arrive at an agreement that provides a competitive wage and benefit package for our employees and their families, fosters stable employment, and helps to ensure the company’s competitiveness,” company officials state.

“We thank each employee for their continued focus on delivering premier quality to customers during the negotiations,” the message concluded.

The last UAW strike at the Dublin truck plant occurred in February of 2008 and ended in mid-March of that year.

Patriot Staff Writer