LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Members of the United Auto workers association are voting on a new contract. The Louisville Assembly and Kentucky Truck Plants began voting at the Galt House Hotel on the tentative contract agreement between UAW and Ford. 

What You Need To Know

  • Members of the United Auto workers association are voting on a new contract. The Louisville Assembly and Kentucky Truck Plants are voting at the Galt House Hotel on the tentative contract agreement between UAW and Ford

  • In mid-September, the UAW chapter was called on to strike in an effort to reclaim benefits they were forced to give up more than a decade ago

  • According to the union, the tentative agreement includes wage increases, reinstating cost of living allowances, strengthening health care and other benefits

  • For the agreement to pass, the majority of UAW members across the U.S. have to vote in favor of the agreement. 

Thousands of UAW Local 862 members filed into the historic hotel to vote on the agreement. 

“The atmosphere is pretty, pretty exciting for real, to tell you the truth. I think people are ready to get paid, get back to work and get our fair share, you know,” said Larry Lucas, an employee at the Kentucky Truck Plant. 

Lucas, 60, has worked for Ford for the last eight years. He said the agreement is a “good deal.”

“I’m confident it’s going to pass. So obviously, I’m hopeful it’s going to pass, but personally, I’m confident it’s going to pass,” Lucas said. 

In mid-September, the UAW chapter was called on to strike in an effort to reclaim benefits they were forced to give up more than a decade ago. According to the union, the tentative agreement includes wage increases, reinstating cost-of-living allowances, strengthening health care and other benefits.

“I was really interested in the 25% raise, of course, and the benefits that we get, that’s going to increase our cost of living throughout year to year and keep us up with what the economy is doing, what inflation is doing,” he said. 

Kentucky Ford employees went back to work at the end of October when the tentative agreement was reached. Local 862’s president said the deal is “historic” and no concessions were made.

“Talking here today a lot of the members coming in, some well say, hey, look, I really wanted to get more, but I’m voting yes because this is the best agreement I’ve seen in years,” said Todd Dunn, president of UAW Local 862. 

Lucas said he is happy to be back at work.

“Overall, they gave what they were willing to give, and we got what we were willing to take, I think. So I think it’s going to be a good deal,” Lucas said. 

For the agreement to pass, the majority of UAW members across the U.S. have to vote in favor of the agreement. 

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