02:05 PM EDT, 06/17/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Unionized workers at the Ultium Cells joint venture of General Motors ( GM ) and LG Energy Solution have overwhelmingly approved their first labor contract with the EV battery cell maker, according to the company and United Auto Workers union.

Some 98% of the 1,600 represented by the union voted 98% in favor of the deal, runs from Monday through April 2028, the company said Monday.

Under the contract, workers will receive higher wages, working condition improvements, and enhanced health and safety programs, among other benefits, the company said.

"In this agreement, we have raised the top production wage from $20 after seven years on the job, to $35 after one year on the job, by the end of the deal," UAW President Shawn Fain wrote on the union's website last week after the tentative deal was reached. "Our starting wage has gone up from $16.50 to $26.91. We have better health and safety language at Ultium than anywhere in this industry. We have made major gains for skilled trades, on scheduling, and on dozens of other important issues."

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