UAW President Dennis Williams and UAW-Ford Vice President Jimmy Settles announced today that the union is delivering on its promise to convert workers

DETROIT, Jan. 30, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- UAW President Dennis Williams and UAW-Ford Vice President Jimmy Settles announced today that the union is delivering on its promise to convert workers making entry-level wages to traditional employees. 

"The 2011 UAW-Ford agreement allows for a contractual limit of entry-level employees. Once that threshold is surpassed, entry-level employees convert by seniority to 'regular, non-entry level employment.' At this time, fifty-five UAW-Ford workers will receive the wage increases, which put them in the category of non entry-level employment.

"By agreeing to the entry-level wages, the UAW was instrumental in creating a pay scale that helped keep Ford Motor Company and other auto manufacturers competitive. The higher wages announced today helps workers, families and the communities where they live and work.

"It is only because of the Collective Bargaining process between UAW and Ford in the 2011 Agreement that workers are getting this opportunity. It is our time to show America that the road to the living wage begins now," said Jimmy Settles, vice-president UAW's Ford department.

Williams said, "Our workers have sacrificed and this is just a milestone within our contract to begin to close the gap in rewarding all of our members. They sacrificed and saved not just an industry, but the American economy."

SOURCE Ford-UAW