Ford and UAW Local 62, in a bid to stave off a strike at the automaker’s top-performing facility, have struck a tentative deal, as announced on Wednesday.
The looming threat of a strike, which could have seen nearly 9,000 workers at Ford’s Kentucky truck plant walking off the job on Friday, was averted with this agreement, addressing local union concerns.
The UAW disclosed on Tuesday that the accord tackles various local matters such as skilled trades, ergonomics, and health and safety, marking a significant step forward.
Expressing satisfaction, Ford released a statement affirming its contentment with the tentative agreement.
Situated in Louisville, the plant stands as Ford’s largest in terms of both workforce and revenue generation. It churns out Ford Super Duty pickups alongside Ford Expeditions and Lincoln Navigator SUVs.
Despite this positive development, negotiations persist across numerous local contracts within the Big Three automakers — Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis — as highlighted by the UAW. These local contracts are distinct from the national agreements ratified by the UAW toward the end of 2023, focusing on issues specific to individual plants.
