SAGINAW, MI—Fresh off its newly ratified labor contracts with the Detroit 3 automakers, the UAW has reached a tentative deal with steering parts supplier Nexteer Automotive.

DETROIT—Although automotive OEMs and the United Auto Workers union are still a few months away from serious negotiations, early signs aren’t favorable for a labor contract settled on mutually agreeable terms.

LOS ANGELES—After years of avoiding confrontation, the U.S. labor movement is reasserting itself. From the car plants of Detroit to the ports of Los Angeles, unions are demanding payback for sacrifices they say helped revive the economy.

WINDSOR, ON—Unifor Local 195 workers have ratified a three-year contract with automotive supplier JD Norman Industries here. The new contract includes a $500 signing bonus and an hourly wage increase of 50 cents for the first two years and 70 cents in the final year.

MONTREAL—Bombardier is bracing for what could be a lengthy strike at its Quebec railcar assembly plant after workers rejected what the company characterized as a generous offer that raises wages and pension benefits and contained a commitment to invest in new technology.