Deal at International Truck and Engine

USA: The United Autoworkers (UAW) reports that its members at International Truck and Engine (formerly Navistar) have voted by a 55-45 per cent margin to ratify a new five-year labour agreement with the company. The contract covers more than 7,000 UAW members at International Truck and Engine facilities in Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Georgia and Texas. UAW vice-president Nate Gooden, who directs the union's Heavy Truck Department, said the negotiations "were some of the most difficult the UAW has experienced in recent memory. Due to the downturn in the heavy truck industry, a sluggish economy and the impact of new environmental regulations on diesel engines, our priority during these negotiations was preserving jobs for our members and helping International find ways to succeed in the present environment." But despite the challenges, Gooden stated that the agreement offers important gains for both active and retired UAW International Truck and Engine members and their families. The new contract provides lump-sum payments equal to 3 per cent of wages in the first, second and fourth years, and 3 per cent wage rate increases in the third and fifth years. There have also been significant increases in pension benefits, improvements for workplace health and safety, and implementation of a new health plan for UAW members and their families which will emphasise preventive care. Very significant, as well, is the inclusion in the new contract of an agreement by the company to remain neutral during union organising drives, and to accept card-check recognition procedures at the company's non-union manufacturing facilities, meaning that the company will agree to recognise and bargain with the UAW when a majority of workers in a plant sign union authorisation cards.