The United Auto Workers union, or UAW, has announced that it is expanding its nationwide strike action against the Ford Motor Company by targeting a major truck plant in Kentucky. The move is in response to Ford’s refusal to meet the union’s demand of higher wages and improved working conditions.
UAW Vice President Rory Gamble said in a statement that it had been “clear from the start that we would do whatever necessary to bring Ford to the table and negotiate a fair contract.” As such, the union has stepped up its strike action by targeting the Ford plant in Louisville, Kentucky.
The plant, which produces over 300,000 trucks a year, has been deemed a particularly important target in the union’s fight for its demands. As it is a major producer of Ford’s highest-selling vehicles, it provides a valuable bargaining chip for the UAW. Additionally, the Louisville plant is home to 1,800 workers, making it one of the larger sites operated by the company.
According to Bloomberg, the union is hoping that by targeting this major plant, they can force Ford to meet their demands. Furthermore, it is likely that the UAW will expand their strike action to other Ford-owned plants.
The UAW and Ford have been in contract negotiations since mid-July, with the union’s collective bargaining agreement set to expire in mid-September. The union is hoping for improved wages, enhanced healthcare, and a greater job security in the new agreement. Ford, however, has been reluctant to make such changes and has sought to make changes that the union claims are not part of a fair labor agreement.
It remains to be seen whether the UAW can gain its desired result by targeting the Louisville plant. If not, then further strike action may be necessary, putting even more of the company’s production at risk. Nonetheless, the union is determined to get a fair agreement for its members, whatever it takes.