HOLLAND, Ohio — Employees at the Clarios automobile battery manufacturing plant approved a new contract with the company Friday, ending an ongoing strike that began after union membership voted down a new contract proposal in early May.
The three-year contract includes a $3,500 signing bonus, a 3% percent raise each year totaling 9% spanning the life of the contract and a resolution to a scheduling problem that saw part of the plant working 12-hour-days without overtime pay beyond eight hours, UAW Local 12 President Bruce Baumhower said.
Union representatives will meet with Clarios Saturday morning to discuss the employees' return. Both sides are hopeful workers will be back on the job Sunday, pending the outcome of Saturday's conversation.
"I'm glad it all got resolved," Baumhower said. "It was tough on our guys and the company. We've never had this before and we're back in the saddle."
Clarios spokesperson Kris Sherman said the company was also pleased with the agreement's approval and provided a statement to WTOL 11:
“We are pleased that our represented employees ratified the agreement today. Our goal was, and is, to create an agreement that increases wages and provides work-life balance. The new contract includes a wage increase, a modern, flexible work schedule, and a significant ratification bonus. We look forward to bringing our employees back to work beginning Sunday evening. We welcome our valued employees back as we continue to advance our mission of making the world’s best batteries.”
The United Auto Workers union and Clarios had reached a tentative agreement Tuesday after members overwhelmingly voted down the previous two tentative agreements.
The six-week strike saw support from U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, who urged Clarios President and CEO Mark Wallace in a letter to reach an agreement that would allow the employees to return to work.
"Ohio is developing and manufacturing the technology that will drive our economy for decades to come – from semiconductors to batteries to electric vehicles. Companies that work collaboratively with their employees will be best positioned to lead their industries," Brown said in his letter.
About 500 workers walked off the job on May 8 after months of contract talks. The strike was nearing its seventh straight week before the new contract was approved.
Points of contention during contract negotiations included company proposals that would mandate 12-hour shifts with no overtime pay past the eighth hour and reductions to workers' piece rates, or the amount of money they receive for every unit they produce, according to UAW.
According to the Clarios website, the company is responsible for batteries in one-third of vehicles on the road. The Holland Clarios plant was formerly owned by Johnson Controls, which was founded in 1885.
Johnson Controls sold its Power Solutions division to Toronto-based Brookfield Business Partners in 2019, which led to the creation of Clarios. The company has 16,000 employees in factories around the world.
Clarios manufactures a variety of batteries for electric vehicles, hybrids and internal combustion engines. The Holland plant supplies Ford, among other car companies.
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