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UAW Workers Ratify Deal, Will End Volvo Strike

AP Photo/Steve Helber

Striking blue-collar workers at a Volvo heavy truck plant in the New River Valley have narrowly ratified what the company said was its final offer in a long labor dispute.

The hourly workers voted 1,147 to 1,130 for the six-year contract, and likely will end their on-and-off strike that began in April.

However, unionized salaried workers voted against the pact 54-40, according to the Facebook page of United Auto Workers local 2069.

Union spokesman Brian Rothenberg in Detroit confirmed that the totals are accurate.

He says details are still being worked out for the factory workers to return to the assembly line and for negotiations to settle the salaried workers’ dispute.

“This agreement allows us to continue providing our employees with a great quality of life, with guaranteed wage growth and excellent benefits,” said NRV Vice President and General Manager Franky Marchand, in a statement. “It will also help secure the plant’s long-term growth and sustainability. Our focus now will be on getting trucks to customers as quickly as we can, and strengthening our relationship with our employees.”

About 2,900 workers represented by the UAW have been on strike at the Dublin plant.

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