The majority of local union workers voted to support the contract agreement between General Motors and UAW Local 95. Local 95 President Andy Richardson says it's a step in the right direction toward bringing a new product to Janesville's idle plant but doesn't want to give people “false hope.”
An overwhelming 84% of Local 95 members voted in favor of a new deal with the automaker. Richardson calls that the “silver lining” in an agreement that allows a limited amount of supplemental benefits. There are some employee placement language where people can be forced to move but the pension for retirees is unchanged. The union leader says if GM moves to bankruptcy he hopes the pensions remain untouched.
Richardson says it's been a roller coaster ride for GM workers in Janesville with a new challenge every day. He says now the union has to be patient and wait to see what happens next.