General Dynamics, UAW Reach Tentative Pact

Bargainers for General Dynamics Corp. and the United Auto Workers reached a tentative agreement on a contract Thursday that could end a six-week strike by 4,500 employees at five U.S. tank plants.

Bill Sheil, a General Dynamics spokesman, said the two sides tentatively agreed to a 36-month pact, covering production and maintenance employees.

Sheil said details of the contract are being finalized.

“We’re extremely pleased that we were able to reach this tentative settlement,” Sheil said. “The negotiations have produced an agreement that is responsive to the needs expressed to us by the negotiating committee. We look forward to its ratification by the membership.”

Bobee Barbee, a UAW spokesman, said the tentative settlement will be presented Saturday to the UAW-General Dynamics Council.

Barbee said that, if the council approves the contract, it will be sent to the rank and file Tuesday for a ratification vote.

Barbee said the agreement affects workers at three Detroit area plants, a Lima, Ohio, facility and a Scranton, Pa., production plant.

The company said Wednesday that supervisors working in the plants have been able to keep up with monthly quotas of about 35 tanks per plant.