DETROIT, Mich. - After 41 days of strike the United Auto Workers have reached a tentative agreement with Ford. 

On September 15, 2023, the UAW began their strike against Big Three automakers: GM, Ford and Stellantis. 

Wednesday, the UAW reached a tentative agreement with Ford, but it's not by chance.

UAW President, Shawn Fain, took to X to share the good news.

Fain broke down the strategy. 

"Stand Up Strike" hit hard this week.

"For months, we've been saying that record profits need record contracts," Fain began. 

On Monday, the Sterling Heights Assembly in went on strike, Stellantis' biggest and most profitable plant, according to Fain. 

The next day, GM was hit as an Arlington, Tex. plant went on strike. 

"Ford knew what was coming to them on Wednesday, if we didn't get a deal," said Fain. "That was checkmate."

The UAW isn't in a rush to sign any contract.

In fact, they've constructed a five-step process, with public involvement, making sure the deal they make is in the best interest of the workers. 

UAW Vice President Chuck Browning said the deal, compared to the one made in 2019, "has more money, four times over." 

Some workers at Sterling Axle and Rawsonville can see an immediate 85 percent raise. 

UAW workers at Ford will see a "more straight general wage increase over the next 4.5 years, compared to the last 22 years," said Browning. 

Browing added that as ratification, Ford workers will receive a 11 percent wage increase. 

This week, the UAW National Ford Council will vote on the tentative agreement. 

If an agreement is reached, the UAW will conduct a Facebook live on Sunday, October 29. 

Following the announcement of a tentative agreement, local and federal officials have offered congratulatory statements for this historic deal. 

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer wants to see more money going towards hardworking Michiganders, while allowing the company to grow and invest in Michigan. 

Whitmer said in a statement, "There is a lot riding on these negotiations. We are in a fierce competition with the rest of the world for the future of manufacturing – and all eyes are on Michigan. We can be the example to the rest of the nation on how to bring jobs back home from overseas and keep making stuff here in Michigan."

Whitmer's hoping this is just the beginning--adding to the momentum. 

With a tentative agreement between UAW and Ford leading the charge, hopefully GM and Stellantis will follow. 

The Biden Administration also offered their approval.

President Biden previously showed his support for UAW workers, on September 26, by becoming the first sitting president to be on a picket line. 

His statement commends the hard work, sacrifice and collective bargaining fought for over the last six weeks: 

I applaud the UAW and Ford for coming together after a hard fought, good faith negotiation and reaching a historic tentative agreement tonight. This tentative agreement provides a record raise to auto workers who have sacrificed so much to ensure our iconic Big Three companies can still lead the world in quality and innovation. Ultimately, the final word on this contract will be from the UAW members themselves in the days and weeks to come. I’ve always believed the middle class built America and unions built the middle class. That is especially the case for UAW workers who built an iconic American industry. And critical to building an economy from the middle out and bottom up, instead of from the top down, is worker power. It’s showing how collective bargaining works by providing workers a seat at the table and the opportunity to improve their lives while contributing fully to their employer’s success. This tentative agreement is a testament to the power of employers and employees coming together to work out their differences at the bargaining table in a manner that helps businesses succeed while helping workers secure pay and benefits they can raise a family on and retire with dignity and respect.

Stay with ABC57 for more updates in the ongoing UAW strike.