UAW Local 5 members secure new contract with AM General, gain 12% raise

Mishawaka UAW Members Approve New AM General Contract

Mishawaka, IN—Members of UAW Local 5 have voted to approve a fresh contract with AM General as of Thursday, September 25th. This new agreement impacts approximately 400 employees at the Mishawaka facility, where they are responsible for assembling the Humvee and the next-generation Joint Light Tactical Vehicle for military use.

The contract introduces substantial improvements, including a notable 12% wage increase spread across three years. Additionally, there is a significant enhancement in pension benefits, alongside progress in dismantling a complex tiered pay system.

Bargaining Chairperson Keith Oden remarked, “We did it—together. This agreement reflects the priorities our members voiced through surveys, meetings, and conversations on the shop floor. Because of our strength and unity, we secured meaningful gains that move us forward without any concessions.”

Historically, AM General had engaged in concessionary bargaining tactics, leading to the removal of retiree healthcare benefits, limitations on profit sharing, and the creation of multiple wage tiers. However, this agreement marks a shift away from those practices.

Dave Green, the UAW Region 2B Director, commented on the development, stating, “Our members got back to our fighting roots, as the oldest local in the UAW with a long history of negotiating world class contracts. We won a contract that not only makes no concessions to the company, but delivers incredibly strong wage and pension increases for the membership.”

The successful negotiation at AM General aligns with a series of recent achievements by the UAW in securing favorable terms at other key defense industry firms, including GE Aerospace, General Dynamics, and Rolls-Royce.