Howes: Big Three’s labor bill ain’t what it used to be
As union members prepare to vote this week on the United Auto Workers’ second tentative agreement with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV, an influential new study says labor costs Detroit automakers less than it used to — a lot less.
The pending contract offers signing and lump-sum bonuses and base-wage increases to so-called traditionals and second-tier workers, among other things. But last year the combined union labor bill for this town’s automakers totaled just 5.7 percent of North American revenue, according to the Center for Automotive Research.
