Union workers approve six-year contract with Caterpillar

After working without a contract for more than eight months, approximately 9,000 union members approved a new six-year agreement with Caterpillar Jan. 9. The deal the United Auto Workers and Caterpillar struck includes a two-tiered wage scale that brings in new hires at lower rates than veteran workers – a change Caterpillar says will make UAW-represented plants competitive with the company’s other factories. Union leaders said the contract includes gains and losses for workers. UAW members rejected two earlier offers for which the union gave no recommendation. Union negotiators encouraged workers to approve the most recent offer.