General Motors (GM) and the United Automotive Workers union reached a preliminary agreement on Monday to suspend the ongoing strike, effectively closing a chapter of labor activism that has appeared in the auto sector multiple times in recent years. In total, about 18,000 GM employees were affected over a six-week period, a pause that signals a broader pause in the workplace disruptions impacting the company and its suppliers.
GM had become the final major automaker to secure a deal with the UAW after the strike began on September 15, following deals at Ford and Stellantis. Ford set a pace last week that put leverage on GM and Stellantis, and Stellantis completed its negotiations with the union on October 28 after agreeing to concessions. The strain on production lines and erratic factory schedules underlined the urgency of reaching a settlement that could restore stability and reassure investors and customers alike. Safety considerations in the workplace also remained a backdrop to the talks, highlighting the union’s insistence on protecting workers’ welfare as a core component of any contract.
The terms of the GM-UAW preliminary agreement echo provisions already laid out by Ford and Stellantis, including wage increases designed to offset rising living costs. The deal appears to cover a substantial raise of about 25 percent per hour over the life of the contract, with additional allowances for daily living expenses during the contract period, which spans more than four years. This alignment across automakers reflects a shared approach to addressing the wage gap and the cost of living pressures facing manufacturing employees in North America.
In addition to compensation, the agreement addresses the status of temporary workers, confirming that some temporary contracts will be terminated and offering the possibility of further wage increases above the inflation rate. The talks also explored the idea of a shorter work week, with discussions around a 32-hour model as a potential framework for improving productivity while preserving job opportunities for more workers. The negotiated terms remain subject to final approval by the UAW’s broader membership, which totals about 46,000 workers across GM plants and related facilities. This step will determine whether the tentative arrangement moves into the implementation phase and begins to restore normal operations across the company’s manufacturing network.
Following these recent accords with Ford and Stellantis, UAW president Shawn Fain characterized the concessions achieved as a meaningful milestone. He described the developments as a historic victory and a turning point in the broader dynamics of factory labor in the United States, signaling a shift in how wage growth, job security, and work expectations are framed in the automotive sector. As the union members prepare to vote, analysts note that the agreement could influence negotiations at other manufacturers and shape future labor strategy within North American manufacturing—potentially affecting how companies balance market pressures with worker protections and long-term operational stability.