2025 Bargaining Updates

We have a Tentative Agreement! Meeting and Ratification Vote on Sunday

Anthony Banks
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Dear Members,

We are thrilled to announce that after extensive negotiations and a powerful strike, we have won a tentative agreement with management on a new contract. This four-year agreement reflects the priorities you identified—record wage increases, more time off, stronger protections, and improved benefits.

The bargaining committee unanimously recommends that the membership vote YES to ratify this tentative agreement.

We will hold a membership meeting on Sunday, October 5, 2025, at the Falcon Banquet Hall & Event Center (201 Washington Street, New Britain, CT 06051). Doors open at 9:00am and the meeting will start at 9:30am. We will begin with a presentation of the tentative agreement, followed by a Q&A and then a ratification vote. Please bring your questions. You can only vote in person, so please make sure to attend.

Although we have reached a tentative agreement, the strike will continue until the tentative agreement is ratified. If the tentative agreement is ratified on Sunday, the members scheduled to report to work at 11pm on Sunday must report for work.

What did we win in this tentative agreement? 

Highlights:

  • 15% General Wage Increase (4% 2025, 3.5% 2026, 3.5% 2027, 4% 2028)
  • We Won our PTO Demands including brand new days:
    • Total of 15 holidays, including Juneteenth as a new holiday
    • 5 paid sick days that can be taken in 1hour increments (brand new)
    • 2 Emergency Vacation days that can be taken in 1hour increments (brand new)
    • 3 more vacation days for employees with 10 to 19 years of service
    • 3 Bereavement days guaranteed for a broader group of family members, with 2 more additional days upon approval
    • Paid emergency leave of 2 weeks (brand new)
  • Profit Sharing - Increased Plant Variable Compensation from 2% to a 3% VC effective in 2026 and 4% effective in 2028
  • Reduced progression to top pay from 6-7 years (current) to 5-6 years (new)
  • New healthcare cost protections – in no case will employees' share of the premium exceed 25%
  • $200 safety shoes allowance
  • Retirement and pension guaranteed in the contract
  • $1,300 signing bonus

Today, we went on strike because despite the progress we were fighting for at the table, the company insisted on making it all contingent on temporary worker abuse. They also wanted the ability to change the cost of healthcare for the membership at their discretion. After we went on strike, not only did we win the gains listed above, but we secured healthcare cost protections and put guardrails on the use of temporary workers.

The next step is for you, the membership, to review and vote on this tentative agreement. We will have copies of the full changes of the agreement on Saturday at 12 noon at the entrance of Jacobs Vehicle Systems/Cummins. Our ratification meeting on Sunday will be your chance to ask questions and make an informed decision.

This achievement was only made possible by your solidarity, patience, and unity. Together, we have demonstrated the power of collective action and the power we have when we withhold our labor.

This tentative agreement is the result of the pressure the membership put on the company through this contract campaign and strike. We look forward to Sunday.

In solidarity,

UAW Local 379 Bargaining Committee