General Motors Workers Ratify New Labor Contract -- Promising Thousands Of New Jobs

By TOM KRISHER

DETROIT (AP) -- Factory workers at General Motors have overwhelmingly approved a new four-year contract with the company that includes profit-sharing instead of raises for most workers and promises thousands of new jobs.

The United Auto Workers union said Wednesday that 65 percent of production workers voted for the deal, while 63 percent of skilled-trades workers such as electricians were in favor. Voting by GM's 48,500 blue-collar workers ended on Wednesday.