Tag Archive for: Local 163

REDFORD, MI — UAW members at Detroit Axle voted by 84% on Saturday to ratify a new collective bargaining agreement with Daimler Truck of North America. The contract covers more than 400 workers at Daimler Trucks’ Detroit Axle facility in Redford, which builds axles and transmissions.

The agreement secures profit-sharing and Cost-of-Living (COLA) benefits for the first time at Detroit Axle. Additionally, the agreement will raise wages for some workers by as much as 50% through the life of the agreement.

“I would like to congratulate the hardworking membership and bargaining committee at Detroit Axle on this major win. This agreement brings long overdue financial gains for our membership at Detroit Axle,” said Laura Dickerson, UAW Region 1A Director. “UAW members in Region 1A are showing that corporate greed is no match for working people. When we stand together, we win!”

“We were prepared to use every tool in the toolbox to win this contract. We were informed, wore red shirts on Wednesdays to show our unity, and ultimately voted 99% to authorize a strike,” said Mike Stack, a second shift skilled trades worker at Detroit Axle. “Daimler knew they had to do right by the people who make their profits day in and day out.”

DETROIT, MI — On Wednesday, January 15th, over 400 Daimler Truck North America workers at Detroit Axle voted by a resounding 99% to authorize a strike if necessary.

“This overwhelming vote shows we are no longer content with the crumbs from Daimler’s pie,” said Zachary Harper, a committeeperson at Detroit Axle. “This vote makes it plain: we are united – and when we fight together, we win. Tick Tock.”

The vote at Detroit Axle comes after major victories for other UAW members at Daimler Truck. In 2024, UAW members at Freightliner Trucks, Western Star Trucks, and Thomas Built Buses won major gains, including raises of more than 25%, and the introduction of profit-sharing and Cost-of-Living (COLA) for the first time at Daimler.

“Since 2020, Daimler has seen over $17 billion in profits”, said Laura Dickerson, UAW Region 1A Director. “Daimler can afford to provide UAW members at Detroit Axle what every worker deserves: pay that keeps up with inflation, a safe workplace, and a secure retirement. If it takes a fight to win that, our members are ready.”

Detroit Axle workers join other UAW members standing up to corporate greed. Currently, more than 4,000 members at Volkswagen are campaigning for a first contract in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Howell, MI — On January 30, nearly 400 workers at Antolin Interiors USA in Howell, Michigan, voted overwhelmingly to join UAW Local 163, Region 1A. The workers, who make instrument panels and door panels for Ford, GM, Stellantis, and PACCAR, launched their organizing drive last October after years of disrespect and unacceptable working conditions.  

 Antolin workers voted to join the UAW “to stand united and have a voice against management as a whole,” said Jarrod Yost, a shipping and receiving worker at Antolin. “To be on common ground, to work together rather than against each other, and to gain more respect.” 

“Our organizing efforts at Antolin Howell have been successful. Our members chose to organize after many losses to the company,” said James Matheny, a Materials worker. “We lose eight hours per week of our weekly total if we have a day off or even a holiday. Favoritism is rampant and policy is manipulated. We are now Union Brothers & Sisters. We can fight for a fair contract and work with the company, so we all succeed!” 

“We’ve been dancing with the devil for way too long,” said Lanita Wilson, a production worker at Antolin Interiors. “UAW, we needed you now and now we have you! A contract in place will help us have a piece of mind that they can’t just change the rules at their whim.” 

“Workers at Antolin in Howell, Michigan expressed a desire for change in their workplace,” said UAW Local 163 President Al Byrd. “They called on UAW Local 163 for assistance. With Local 163’s help and Antolin’s hard work, Antolin won an election to get that change. UAW Local 163 is proud to welcome workers of Antolin Howell as new UAW members with recognition from the NLRB.” 

“Region 1A is proud to welcome the workers of Antolin to the UAW,” said UAW Region 1A Director Laura Dickerson. “I am so proud of them for choosing to ‘Stand Up’ against the company and join our union.” 

The victory at Antolin Interiors is the latest organizing success story for the UAW, as workers across the country continue to take on the boss and win union recognition and dignity at their workplaces.