UPDATE: UAW Local 2069 leadership calls for second contract ratification vote on Wednesday
According to a notice posted today (Sunday) on the UAW Local 2069 Facebook page, union leadership has called for a second ratification vote on the third tentative agreement for Wednesday, July 14 from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The vote will take place at the UAW Local 2069 Union Hall on Cougar Trail Road in Dublin.
The notice to membership posted Sunday stated, “The company has made their last, best and final offer. We will be voting on TA 3 with no changes.”
Sunday afternoon, the company notified workers at the Dublin plant that – beginning Monday, July 12 – those workers “choosing to come to work are at the new wage rates defined under TA (Tentative Agreement) 3 language.”
In annother update sent by the company later in the afternoon, Volvo further explained what transpired Sunday.
“The Company’s negotiations team met with UAW leadership this afternoon and informed them that the third tentative agreement – which we consider a strong, fair proposal, and which 40% of UAW voters supported – is the Company’s last, best and final offer.
“The discussion that followed led to impasse, and the Company has decided to implement its final offer effective Monday, July 12.
“This means we will begin building trucks on one shift at 7:00 a.m. Monday, and anyone who comes to work tomorrow, or in the coming days, will receive the pay and benefits offered in the third tentative agreement (a summary of which you can review below).
“The wage increases offered in the third tentative agreement will be effective immediately for anyone who returns to work, as will restoration of all benefits, including health insurance and shutdown vacation pay. Ratification bonuses are the only aspect of the agreement that won’t be paid (until the contract is ratified), and any changes in health care benefits will not take effect until January 1, 2022.
“The continued loss of production represents too much of a risk to the future of our business and our facility. We have to safeguard that future and deliver for the customers whose businesses and livelihoods depend on our products.
“We look forward to welcoming back our employees on Monday, and in the days to come. Employees from all shifts are welcome.”
Previous reports:
Volvo Trucks North America issues statement on contract vote
Volvo Trucks North America today issued the following statement regarding the rejection of a new collective bargaining agreement covering the company’s New River Valley truck assembly operations (NRV) in Dublin, Virginia by members of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local #2069. The agreement was reached by the parties on July 1, 2021 and is the third tentative agreement approved by UAW leadership, but rejected by UAW members.
“Given the significant wage gains and first-class benefits this agreement delivered, and the strong support it garnered from UAW leadership at every level, this outcome is unexpected and very disappointing,” said NRV Vice President and General Manager Franky Marchand. “Now that our employees have rejected three successive agreements endorsed by the leaders they elected to represent them, we need to consider our next steps. The ongoing strike – which we continue to believe is unnecessary – is hurting our customers, and has already set back our project to expand and upgrade the facility. No one is gaining from the current situation, and we will consider all options related to the bargaining process.”
Striking United Auto Workers union members in Dublin rejected a third tentative agree with Volvo Trucks North America during a contract vote Friday.
Results of the ratification vote went this way, according to the UAW Local 2069 Facebook page:
- Hourly Language NO 60% YES 40%
- Common Language NO 60% YES 40%
- Salary Language NO 67% YES 33%
The strike by union members at the Dublin plant will now continue.