The unionized Ford workers accept changes to their agreement

The Workers Union of the automobile announced that its members employed by Ford Motor had approved changes to their collective agreement, including the freezing of wages and the reduction of certain benefits in order to help the automaker remain competitive.

The agreement also terminates the program and job bank allows Ford to make payments in shares in a fund managed by the union for health care retreats.

According to the union, 59 percent of workers in production and 58 percent of specialized workers approve the agreement.

Ford did not request funding from the government and is the first American automaker has an agreement with the union.