The United Auto Workers union strike expanded this week as 8,700 UAW members walked off the job and shut down Ford’s iconic Kentucky truck plant on Wednesday.
“We have been crystal clear, and we have waited long enough, but Ford has not gotten the message,” said UAW President Shawn Fain.
BREAKING: The 8,700 UAW members at Ford’s iconic and extremely profitable Kentucky Truck Plant have joined the Stand Up Strike after Ford refuses to make further movement in bargaining.
Workers are walking off the job right now.
STAND UP!
— UAW (@UAW) October 11, 2023
For the first time in the history of the 150,000-member United Auto Workers Union, members went on strike against the “Big 3” manufacturers last month after no deal was reached.
The “Big 3” include Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis, the newly-formed merger of Fiat Chrysler and the PSA Group.
“Key demands from the union have included 40% hourly pay increases; a reduced, 32-hour, workweek; a shift back to traditional pensions; the elimination of compensation tiers; and a restoration of cost-of-living adjustments. Other items on the table include enhanced retiree benefits and better vacation and family leave benefits,” CNBC reported.
Kentucky Truck Plant workers shut it down this week.
WATCH:
Local 862 is shutting it down at Ford’s Kentucky Truck Plant! Workers have now walked off the job and are joining the Stand Up Strike!#StandUpUAW pic.twitter.com/NVqlbunZMH
— UAW (@UAW) October 11, 2023
“Who are we? U-A-W!” striking auto workers in Kentucky shouted this week.
WATCH:
“Who are we? U-A-W!”#UAW Local 862 members (Kentucky Truck Plant) are holding the line for economic justice.#StandUpUAW pic.twitter.com/YuiyGkE6lq
— UAW (@UAW) October 12, 2023