DETROIT, Jan 14 (Reuters) - Chuck Browning, who has been

a prominent leader in the United Auto Workers union and

negotiated its deals with Ford Motor ( F ), is retiring,

according to three sources familiar with the matter.

Browning announced his retirement on Tuesday at a meeting of

local union leaders in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He is leading

negotiations between the union and Volkswagen at a

plant there, which last year became the first foreign-owned auto

factory in the U.S. South to organize.

He is one of the most prominent officials behind UAW

President Shawn Fain, and helped secure a record deal with Ford

Motor ( F ) during the labor group's six-week strike in late 2023.

Automakers General Motors ( GM ) and Stellantis ( STLA )

followed suit, agreeing to 25% base wage increases and

cost-of-living adjustments.

Browning is expected to retire after finalizing the

Volkswagen contract, leaving his post ahead of the next union

presidential election, which is slated for 2026.

The UAW and Browning didn't immediately respond to a request

for comment.

Browning has been on the union's international staff since

2000. He was elected by the  UAW's International Executive

Board  as vice president in 2021, and was sworn in for a second

term in 2023 through the union's first direct election, in which

Fain was selected as president.