LOCKPORT, N.Y. (WKBW) — Members of the United Autoworkers Union are now more than two months into a new contract with the country's Big Three automakers — GM, Ford and Stellantis.
The union secured this 4-and-a-half-year agreement after a six week strike last fall, that had the entire nation questioning the future of the auto industry.
One employee at the GM facility in Lockport says this new contract has changed his life.
"I understand what it means to struggle, to not have a lot," Derrick Adams said.
Adams began working at the General Motors Lockport location in February 2020, after working for Brunner International Inc., in Medina.
Any chance he could get overtime, he was up for it.
Adams added, "I had to really, really manage like really manage my time, the money I made from it."
However, after the UAW reached a deal at the end of October for employees to receive a raise and more benefits, Adams said it has become a lifesaver.
Throughout the fall of 2023, more than 30,000 workers walked off the production line at more than 44 facilities in the United States.
This was as contract negotiations heated up between United Auto Workers and the big three auto manufacturers.
On September 15, UAW leaders called for a stand-up strike, targeting specific plants across the country to walk out with little notice.
This destabilized production and while no local plants went on strike, the domino effect from the production halt was felt nationwide.
Between October 25 and October 30, a tentative agreement was reached with Ford, Stellantis and General Motors which put an end to the strike.
Negations lasted almost six weeks.
The final contract included a general wage increase of 25% with a faster progression to top pay. This means an employee hired this year at $16/hour could earn more than $40/hour by the end of their contract.
Adams explained his experience to Pheben Kassahun about barely making ends meet to now living comfortably with his family.
Additionally, it's enough for his wife to become a stay-at-home mom, who had their third child this time last year.
"That takes a lot of stress off of my body now," Adams said, "My oldest is 10. My middle child is four. He'll be five in June. Actually, I have two June babies. My little one you just saw is a February baby. He'll be one."
He does not have to revisit the familiarity of struggling to make ends meet.
"That makes bills easier. Easier to manage money, easier to manage your time. Now, you're not working 70 hours a week, 80 hours a week to make the same check," Adams explained.
