DUBLIN, Va. (WFXR) — On Sunday night, Volvo Trucks North America announced that employees represented by United Auto Workers (UAW) rejected a new five-year labor agreement, which covered approximately 2,900 UAW members at the New River Valley truck assembly operations in Dublin.
Officials say negotiations began on Feb. 8, but then on April 17, more than 2,000 Volvo employees with the union walked off the job, seeking wage increases, job security, wage progression, skilled trades, shift premium, holiday schedules, work schedules, health and safety, seniority, pension, 401(k), healthcare, prescription drug coverage, and overtime.
On April 30, Volvo says negotiating teams reached a tentative agreement, at which time UAW ended its strike against the NRV plant.
Even thought the tentative agreement was rejected, the company was told that UAW-represented employees will still report to work on Monday, May 17.
“We look forward to working with the UAW to resolve whatever the outstanding issues are, and we remain confident that we will be able to reach a mutually beneficial agreement,” said NRV Vice President and General Manager Franky Marchand.
The NRV plant reportedly employs more than 3,300 people, about 2,900 of whom are members of UAW Local #2069.
This series of labor negotiations comes as the Dublin plant is involved in a $400 million investment for advanced technology upgrades; site expansion; and preparation for future products, such as the Volvo VNR Electric truck, according to the company.
Since the last union agreement was implemented in 2016, Volvo says the plant has added approximately 1,100 jobs and is on track to have a net increase of about 600 positions in 2021.
