Detroit autoworkers reach deal with Ford in breakthrough towards ending strikes

United Auto Workers member Marcel Edwards carries On Strike signs from the picket line to Local 900 headquarters at the Ford Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Michigan (Paul Sancya/AP)

The United Auto Workers (UAW) union said it has reached a tentative contract agreement with Ford that could be a breakthrough toward ending the nearly six-week-old strikes against Detroit automakers.

The four-year deal, which still has to be approved by 57,000 union members at the company, could bring a close to the union’s series of strikes at targeted factories run by Ford, General Motors (GM) and Jeep maker Stellantis.