Ford Labor Deal Faces Turbulence: In a surprising turn of events, the workers at Ford’s Louisville assembly and Kentucky truck plants have cast their votes on the tentative labor agreement, yielding mixed results. The production workers, constituting 55% of the vote, have rejected the proposed contract, while on the other hand, 69% of skilled trades workers, encompassing maintenance and construction employees, have given their backing to the agreement. The disclosure of these results comes from the UAW Local 862 through a Facebook post, although specific percentages for the overall votes in favor or the total number of votes cast were not provided.
This split decision raises questions about the smooth ratification of the deal, a development that could significantly impact Ford’s operational costs. The company had recently withdrawn its full-year forecast, citing uncertainties linked to the pending approval of the agreement with the UAW.
Also Read: Historic Labor Deal: U.A.W. and Ford Reach Tentative Agreement
It’s worth noting that union workers are currently voting on contracts from each of the major automakers, including Chrysler-owner Stellantis and General Motors (GM), following the first coordinated strike against Detroit’s Big Three automakers. According to a UAW vote tracker, of the total votes cast across Ford’s various facilities so far, 70.7% of workers have supported the deal. However, the outcome at the Louisville and Kentucky plants indicates a potential roadblock in securing unanimous approval.
As the situation unfolds, workers at some of Ford’s major plants, such as the Dearborn Truck plant in Michigan, are yet to cast their votes. This development follows closely on the heels of a narrow vote against the proposed contract with GM at the Flint assembly plant in Michigan.
The lack of transparency regarding the overall percentages and total votes adds a layer of intrigue to the evolving narrative, leaving room for speculation about the future trajectory of labor relations within the auto industry. The Detroit auto saga continues to captivate attention, with each vote shaping the landscape of labor agreements and potentially influencing the course of the automotive sector. Stay tuned for further updates as the story develops.