United Auto Workers reaches deal with Daimler Truck, averting potential strike in North Carolina

The United Auto Workers union announced it reached a last-minute tentative agreement with truck and bus manufacturer Daimler Truck on Friday evening, averting a potential strike of more than 7,000 workers. The union struck a four-year agreement with the German company just before the expiration of the previous contract, which was enacted six years ago. It covers workers at various plants in North Carolina — where Daimler makes Thomas Built Buses, Freightliner and Western Star trucks — as well as workers at distribution plants in Atlanta and Memphis, Tennessee. UAW President Shawn Fain says the new contract includes wage increases of more than 25% over the next four years and cost-of-living adjustments, among other things. Union members still need to approve the agreement.