The nearly century-old Chicago Assembly Plant on the city’s Southeast Side hummed back to life Saturday morning, as thousands of Ford workers returned to their jobs after nearly a month on the picket line in the United Auto Workers strike against the Big Three automakers. Ford reached a tentative agreement with the UAW on Wednesday, followed by Stellantis on Saturday and General Motors on Monday morning.
A Ford spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment Monday on how and when the $400 million would be put to work. As part of the agreement, Chicago Ford workers, who walked off the job Sept. 29, are also in line to get back pay for the 27 days they’ve been on strike, in addition to a lump sum $5,000 per member ratification bonus. Chicago Ford workers are expected to hold a ratification vote on the agreement next Monday and Tuesday, Pena said.