U.S.

Auto Workers' Strike Against GM Ends After 40 Days

UAW members approved a new four-year contract with GM, ending the longest national automotive strike in nearly 50 years.

Auto Workers' Strike Against GM Ends After 40 Days
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The United Auto Workers' strike against General Motors is over. UAW members approved a new four-year labor contract with GM on Friday.

The strike, which included more than 45,000 UAW union members, lasted for 40 days and reportedly cost the company more than $2 billion.

Multiple outlets report that some union members will go back to work as soon as this weekend.

The deal includes two 3% annual raises, two 4% lump-sum payments and an $11,000 signing bonus. But it also says the union won't try to stop GM from closing three U.S. factories.

In a statement, UAW Vice President Terry Dittes said: "We are all so incredibly proud of UAW-GM members who captured the hearts and minds of a nation. Their sacrifice and courageous stand addressed the two-tier wages structure and permanent temporary worker classification that has plagued working class Americans."

The union also ratified a new contract with Aramark on Friday, which provides janitorial and maintenance services to GM's plants. More than 800 Aramark employees had been on strike since Sept. 15. 

The UAW said it will negotiate with Ford next. 

Additional reporting from Newsy affiliate CNN.