The United Auto Workers (UAW) have made significant progress in ending the six-week strike that has impacted Detroit's Big 3 automakers and left thousands of employees idle. The UAW announced on Saturday that they have reached a tentative contract agreement with Stellantis, the parent company of Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram. This agreement follows the UAW's recent deal with Ford, leaving only General Motors without a contract with the union.

UAW President Shawn Fain expressed his excitement about the agreement in a video posted on social media, stating that the union is once again victorious. However, the agreement still needs to be ratified by UAW members before it can be officially implemented. If approved, the deal could lead to the return of thousands of workers at assembly plants in Michigan and Ohio, as well as vehicle parts warehouses across the country.

Negotiations between Stellantis and the UAW were reportedly intense, with talks going into the late evening on Friday. Both sides were represented by Stellantis Chief Operating Officer Mark Stewart and UAW President Shawn Fain. Sources close to the negotiations confirmed that the agreement includes important provisions such as the commitment to reopen the Belvidere plant in Illinois, which will create more union jobs in the community. Additionally, the agreement focuses on the future of battery manufacturing, aligning with President Biden's vision of a clean economy and the creation of middle-class union jobs.

The UAW strike, which began simultaneously at the Big Three automakers, marked a historic moment for the labor group. The strike was triggered by the expiration of contracts between the UAW and the automakers on September 14. The union had several demands, including a 36% wage increase over four years, annual cost-of-living adjustments, pension benefits for all employees, greater job security, and a faster path to full-time status for temporary workers.

UAW President Shawn Fain has been vocal about the union's dissatisfaction with the automaker CEOs' treatment of workers while receiving generous pay packages. However, the UAW's aggressive tactics have yielded significant breakthroughs. The recent deal with Ford includes a 25% pay increase over the lifespan of the contract, while GM agreed to include electric vehicle battery plants under a national contract with the UAW.

Despite these victories, the strike has come at a cost, with thousands of employees being laid off by the automakers. However, the UAW has ensured that striking workers are paid through the union's strike fund.

The tentative agreement with Stellantis is a major development in ending the UAW strike. While the details of the agreement still need to be finalized and ratified, it represents a significant step towards resolving the labor dispute that has impacted the auto industry. The UAW's success in negotiating favorable terms with multiple automakers demonstrates the union's strength and ability to advocate for the rights and well-being of autoworkers. As the UAW continues to work towards securing a contract with General Motors, the impact of their actions will continue to unfold.