UAW Strikes Back with Ford Truck Plant Shutdown in Kentucky!

The United Auto Workers (UAW) recently announced their intent to launch a nationwide strike against Ford Motor Company after negotiations for a new labor contract have consistently failed. The strike, planned to start on October 2nd, will now include Ford’s major truck plant in Kentucky. The union’s president, Rory Gamble, provided a statement that stated the organization’s intentions. “Ford workers across the country will not stand for devastating cuts that will displace jobs and outsource work,” Gamble wrote. “We must take action now, and that’s why we are expanding our strike to include the Louisville Assembly Plant in Kentucky.” The Louisville Assembly plant, operated by Ford, employs over 5,000 workers and produces both the Escape SUV and the Lincoln Corsair. It’s the first time in a decade that the UAW has gone on strike against a major U.S. automaker. UAW and Ford have been in negotiations for months, with the union pressing the automaker for higher wages and for investments in new machinery and technology at the company’s U.S. factories. Ford offered a 6 percent wage increase to UAW members, plus an $8,500 signing bonus — but the union rejected that offer, pointing out that the increase wasn’t enough to cover the rising cost of their existing benefits. Ford and UAW have also been unable to agree on the amount of job security offered to current employees. The union is concerned that Ford may move production to Mexico, eliminating domestic jobs. Ford, on the other hand, fears significant cost increases should the union succeed in securing strong job security provisions. The strike is set to take place across Ford’s facilities in the United States for an indefinite duration, and further Action from Ford or UAW remains to be seen. It’s hoped that a compromise between the two parties can be reached in a timely manner, so that workers can become productive as soon as possible. The United Auto Workers (UAW) recently announced their intent to launch a nationwide strike against Ford Motor Company after negotiations for a new labor contract have consistently failed. The strike, planned to start on October 2nd, will now include Ford’s major truck plant in Kentucky. The union’s president, Rory Gamble, provided a statement that stated the organization’s intentions. “Ford workers across the country will not stand for devastating cuts that will displace jobs and outsource work,” Gamble wrote. “We must take action now, and that’s why we are expanding our strike to include the Louisville Assembly Plant in Kentucky.” The Louisville Assembly plant, operated by Ford, employs over 5,000 workers and produces both the Escape SUV and the Lincoln Corsair. It’s the first time in a decade that the UAW has gone on strike against a major U.S. automaker. UAW and Ford have been in negotiations for months, with the union pressing the automaker for higher wages and for investments in new machinery and technology at the company’s U.S. factories. Ford offered a 6 percent wage increase to UAW members, plus an $8,500 signing bonus — but the union rejected that offer, pointing out that the increase wasn’t enough to cover the rising cost of their existing benefits. Ford and UAW have also been unable to agree on the amount of job security offered to current employees. The union is concerned that Ford may move production to Mexico, eliminating domestic jobs. Ford, on the other hand, fears significant cost increases should the union succeed in securing strong job security provisions. The strike is set to take place across Ford’s facilities in the United States for an indefinite duration, and further Action from Ford or UAW remains to be seen. It’s hoped that a compromise between the two parties can be reached in a timely manner, so that workers can become productive as soon as possible.