5 April, 2011Members of the IMF U.S. affiliate United Auto Workers ratified a new five-year agreement with Volvo Trucks North America.
USA: On March 27 by a majority of votes members of the UAW Local 2069 ratified a new five-year labour agreement with Volvo Trucks North America.
The agreement will cover about 1,300 workers at the Volvo Trucks' New River Valley plant in Virginia. Within the framework of the new agreement all active workers will have their health care benefits covered, retirees will get a lump sum payment, and wages and pensions will be increased.
After ratification of the contract Volvo announced its plans to ramp up production at New River Valley adding a second shift. UAW Vice President General Holiefield, in charge of the union's Heavy Truck Department commented "this contract moves our members forward while protecting jobs and benefits in this competitive industry, and makes way for the return of 862 UAW Local 2069 members who will be recalled from layoff".
The contract will expire on March 16, 2016.
The Volvo VN and VHD trucks are produced at the New River Valley Plant in Dublin, Virginia, while Volvo engines for North America are assembled in Hagerstown, Maryland.