Local 387: Year by Year Gains

UAW-Ford History of Benefits / Contract Gains: 1941 - 1996

What follows is a history of UAW-Ford bargaining agreements over a period of 54 years. While those listed are primarily hourly benefits, salary benefits have marched in lockstep (with slight variations tailored to suit the individual needs of both parties). The negotiations between the UAW and Ford Motor Company have often been long and acrimonious, but always beneficial in the long run to all Ford employees. In the history of Woodhaven Stamping Plant there have only been two strikes, in 1967 and 1976. In an industry as volatile as the automobile industry, this record speaks for itself.

June 1941

Recognition
Seniority
Representation and grievance procedure
Union Shop
No discrimination
20.4¢ per hour general wage increase
2 hour call-in pay
Time and one-half after 8 hours
Double time for Sundays and Holidays
5¢ per hour shift premium

1942-1943

Inequity wage increases
2 weeks' vacation after 5 years
1 weeks' vacation after 1 year
4-hours call-in pay

1946

10¢ per hour wage increase
Time and one-half for holidays for 7-day workers

1947

11½¢ per hour general wage increases
Additional skilled wage increase
6 paid holidays

1948

13¢ per hour general retroactive wage increase
10¢ per hour midnight shift premium
7¢ per hour afternoon shift premium
Improved vacation time
Vastly improved health, accident, sickness and hospital insurance.

1949

$100 per month pension at age 65
Pro-rated pensions at age 60
Disability retirement pensions
Improved insurance program

1950

Cost-of-living wage adjustment clause resulting in immediate 8¢ wage increase
Automatic annual 4¢ per hour improvement factor wage increases
5¢ per hour bonus for workers on 7-day schedule
3 weeks' vacation pay after 15 years
7½% premium for midnight shift
5% for afternoon shift premium

1953-1955

Improved insurance program including insurance for retired workers
Disability retirement benefits improved
19¢ cost-of-living transferred into base pay; Special increases for skilled workers
Improved pensions
Hospitalization insurance available to retired workers
Annual improvement factor increased, cost-of-living clause continued

1955-1958

Improved pension plan
Improved insurance program
Supplemental unemployment benefits
Annual improvement factor increased
Improved cost-of-living program
Increase for skilled workers
Inequity wage increased
Improved vacation plan
Improved holiday pay

1958-1961

Cost-of-living and improvement factor clauses continued
Jury Duty Pay
Improved SUB benefits
Midnight premium increased Saturday premium paid as such
Increase for skilled trades
15¢ cost-of-living transferred into base pay
Separation pay
Improved insurance program
Improved retirement benefits Special early retirement with double normal benefits
Reporting of absences
Improved Apprenticeship Standards

1962-1964

Maintain annual improvement factor and cost-of-living; 12¢ cost-of-living transferred into base rate
Improved relief period and notification of overtime clauses
Fully paid hospital-surgical plan; one-half paid for retirees
Increased insurance coverage
Improved SUB benefits--short work week benefits--increased SUB ceiling--mail reporting procedure--separation pay increased
Increased jury duty pay
Improved pensions
Optional Pension Survivor's benefit

1964-1967

Pension increased for present and future retirees
Early retirement over 50 with 85 points
Temporary benefit for special early retirees increased; pension supplemental to $400 until age 65
Survivor benefit increased
Transition and bridge benefits won
Life insurance after age 65 increased and cost reduced
Life, sickness and accident insurance company-paid
Retiree HSM fully paid by company
HSM improved
Improvement factor increased to 2.8%
Cost-of-living clause continued
Special 2¢ per hour wage increase in 1966
Nine of 14¢ cost-of-living added to base pay
Wage inequity fund
7-day operators bonus doubled
2 paid holidays added
40 hours paid absence allowance won
Full jury pay supplement
Paid relief time increased to 36 minutes on machine-paced jobs
Bereavement pay established
Tuition refunded up to $250
SUB maximum and scheduled short workweek benefit increased
Christmas bonus won
Separation pay boosted

1967-1970

10¢ per hour general increase extra, 30¢ for skilled trades
Improvement factor increased to 3%
Cost-of-living allowance preserved
Inequity wage increases
18¢ of cost-of-living added to base pay
Guaranteed Annual Income Credits won
SUB improved--ceiling abolished for almost all workers--maximum company contribution increased
Short workweek benefits increased, to be paid automatically
Improved apprentice tooling allowance
Better vacation provision
10th paid holiday with 11th effective in early 1970
Outside contracting rules established
Committee on skilled lines of demarcation established
Assembly workers; relief time increased to 48 minutes
Better protection on production standards
Excuses from overtime allowed
Monthly pensions increased to $5.50 to $6.00 per year of service based on job classification
Special benefit for disability and mutually satisfactory early retirees increased
Pension credit provisions improved
Pension for already retired workers increased. Increase could be traded for survivor benefit
Age 65 benefit of $3 monthly to help pay for Medicare
Survivor benefit improved and made automatic
Bridge and transition benefits improved
Surviving spouses health insurance company-paid if worker is retired or eligible for pension
Group insurance improved; sick and accident benefits increased $5 weekly, October 1969
Life and accident insurance becomes company-paid for certain laid-off and early retiree workers
Layoff disability benefits won
Extended disability benefits won
Prescription drug program effective October 1, 1969
Uniform nationwide health benefits
Short-term military duty pay supplement negotiated
Increased moving allowance
Improved bereavement pay provision
Non-promotional job transfers allowed
Improved pay on 7-day operations

1970-1973

Christmas through New Year holiday period
Wage increase; $1.20 average over life of contract
"No Ceiling" C.O.L.A. (Cost-of-living)
Increase for retirees
Increase in SUB paid by company
5th week of paid vacation time for employees with 20 years or more
Improved health benefits

1973-1976

Seven additional holidays over the life of the contract
C.O.L.A. formula improved
Christmas holiday eligibility requirements relaxed
Full-time Health and Safety Representative in every Local with over 1,000 members
Substantial wage increases. Average increase over contract will be 37¢ per hour
Five day quit notice now determined to mean 5 working days
30 and out at any age
Benefit increases for retirees, a further $1.35 per month per year of service
Grievance procedure streamlined
Family Dental Plan achieved
Skilled Trades make new gains, merit spread eliminated. Right to strike over outside contractual provisions. Apprentice guidelines improved.
Improved medical coverage, drug abuse, alcohol program, psychiatric care

1976-1979

More time off, P.P.H. Days
Hearing Aid Benefits
Wage increases 70¢ per hour over contract life
Skilled Trades two-step wage increase, 15¢ more
Inverse seniority for layoffs
Dental Care Program improved
Full time Benefits Plan Representative
Disciplinary Record Use shortened to 3 years
Separate vacation checks
Shift premium applied to all holidays and paid absence allowance, vacation, etc.
SUB improvements
Retiree inflation protection

1979-1982

24 month moratorium on out-sourcing related plant closings.
Guaranteed income for seniority workers
Profit Sharing
Strengthened SUB plan
Job training for displaced workers
C.O.L.A. re-aligned
P.P.H. days eliminated
Bonus Sunday payment eliminated

1984-1987

Outsourcing and future jobs...A moratorium on plant closings for contract term. Expanded procedures to prevent outsourcing; statement of intention to build small cars in U.S. $30 million for new ventures to create jobs.
Job Security...Commitment that no one with at least one year seniority will be laid off due to out-sourcing, new technology, negotiated productivity improvements or component production consolidation
Pensions...Lifetime benefit rises over 20% by $3.85 per month per year of service; 30 and Out rises over 26% to hit $1,250, increases for current retirees; early retirement now available at age 55 with 10 years' service.
Wages...First-year base wage increase; $2.99 of C.O.L.A "float" also folded into base rate; 21/4% lump sum bonuses in second and third years; $180 immediate special payment across the board; C.O.L.A formula protected.
Profit Sharing...Formula continues. 1984 payment should be 4 times greater than 1983; could generate total of $3,000 over contract term.
Legal Services...New plan for pre-paid personal legal service for eligible members.
Holidays...Three new holidays over contract term for total of 44...Martin Luther King, Jr. honored.
Health Care...Company demands for co-pays and deducts resisted; coverage expanded.
Overtime Curbs...50¢ per hour penalty when overtime hours exceed 5% of straight-time hours, paid to training fund; goal to reduce average weekly overtime by 2 hours to increase employment levels.

1987-1990

Guaranteed Employment numbers...Sweeping new $500 million program provides virtually complete protection of Ford workers' jobs from layoff due to almost all conditions except market-related volume declines.
Management Attrition...Specified numbers of jobs which otherwise could be lost due to attrition now must be filled. Guaranteed Employment Numbers could also increase.
Outsourcing/Insourcing...Strict new controls against outsourcing, and positive commitments for insourcing are won.
Economic Gains...Three percent general wage increase in first year. 3% lump-sum payments in second and third years, full C.O.L.A. protection with no diversion.
Pensions...Lifetime benefit rises by $4.20 in 19% per month per year of service; 30 and Out rises 241/2% to reach $1,500; increases for current retirees.
Profit Sharing...Significant improvements of formula will yield fairer share.
Overtime Penalty...Ford must pay $1.25 per hour of excess overtime into training fund.
Quality...UAW wins big voice in quality, from the start of manufacturing to customer satisfaction, through joint quality program.
Skilled Trades...More apprentices to help meet improved ratio to journeymen; new investments in die construction.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday added in third year of agreement

1990-1993

Layoffs limited to 36 weeks or life of contract
Increased pensions
Increased overtime penalties
Additional SUB benefits for those with less than 10 years
TESPHE maximum increased
Fitness Center Funding
Tuition funding increase
Educational leave of absence
No wage cut when starting on apprenticeship program
Retirement may be frozen after 5 years

1993-1996

Increased 30 and Out pension
Immediate eligibility for profit sharing
No penalty for union leave
Increased tuition assistance
POW/MIA flags flown
July 4th becomes 4-day weekend
Automated SUB processing
Wage increase plus C.O.L.A.
More union representation
Creation of Inspector-Tooling and Layout (skilled) classification
Better service through NESC (Now, Ford Human Resources Customer Center)