The 12,000 Louisville area Ford workers at the Kentucky Truck Plant and the Louisville Assembly Plant, represented by UAW Local 862, are voting on the tentative agreement along with 53 other union locals nationwide.
The results from Local 862's voting are expected to be announced Monday.
Todd Dunn, president of UAW Local 862, the largest autoworkers' local, previously told The Courier Journal, "... We've got a contract that's the best contract we've seen in two decades."
Ford and the UAW, the union representing 57,000 Ford workers nationally, reached a tentative agreement on a new four-year contract on Oct. 25.
Reaching this contract was no easy feat. The UAW, led by recently elected International President Shawn Fain, enacted a new strike strategy against the Detroit Three automakers — Ford, General Motors and Stellantis — after failing to reach an agreement before the contract expired Sept. 14 at 11:59 p.m.
The "stand up" strike Fain crafted made its way to Louisville Oct. 11 when the UAW called the KTP, home of the Super Duty truck, out to strike. Some 9,000 Louisville Ford workers were on strike for two weeks before a tentative agreement was announced.
Dexter Estes, a member of the Local 862 color guard, said this contract brings a lot to the lives of members, specifically the "young folks."
"I'm happy for them, I'm happy for this contract, I'm happy we've reached this point," Estes said after voting in favor of the contract.
What are workers saying at the ratification polls?
UAW Local 862 members cast their ballots on the vote to ratify a Ford contract at the Galt House in Louisville, Ky. on Nov. 12, 2023.
By 9:07 a.m. in Louisville, members of Local 862 made a motion to open the polls, and thousands of workers filled the Galt House Hotel's Grand Ballroom lobby to cast ballots.
Kenneth Walker, a 28-year member of Local 862 and member of the union's color guard, said he voted "yes" for the contract for the "the betterment of my livelihood."
"We negotiated a good contract, and I want to come out and do my part in my contract," Walker said.
"The retirement that they got here and what they're offering right now is beneficial for some of us and will give us a good score on retirement," Walker said.
While many workers came in, voted and quickly left, Local 862 was hosting a meeting in the Grand Ballroom where members could ask questions about the contract and hear from UAW representatives and bargaining committee members. Dunn said the goal of this was to allow members a chance to wager any concerns and learn the union's thought process through bargaining.
"[Workers] get to go and talk to the international reps ... then you can go to the polls and actually vote yea or nay," Marcus Cheatom, a union steward for Local 862, said.
Cheatom said he voted to ratify the contract because it "made a big step toward" returning Ford to a career destination for workers and a place where people with only a high school diploma could earn a good living with high wages, company provided health care and retirement benefits.
"It's important for members to vote because it's our contract, and you pay your dues, so therefore you should have a say in the contract," Cheatom said. "We want everyone to get the facts, get your analysis, and then make the decision based on what you feel is better for you, the present and the future."
How have other UAW locals voted on the tentative agreement?
UAW Local 862 President Todd Dunn, right, greeted UAW Color Guard member Dexter Estes during the vote to ratify a Ford contract at the Galt House in Louisville, Ky. on Nov. 12, 2023.
The Michigan Assembly Plant final assembly and paint, which was the first Ford plant called to strike, voted 82.4% in favor of the tentative agreement.
The Chicago Assembly Plant, which was also called to strike Ford, voted to ratify the contract with 56.7% of voters in favor of the potential contract.
Overall, as of Sunday morning, the national contract vote swayed 70.8% in favor of ratifying it.
"I didn't get everything I personally wanted, but there's no doubt this contract is historic in some ways," said Shawn McIntyre, affectionately known as "Chappy" at the Louisville Assembly Plant. "We got a lot that's going to change lives now; we can always fight for more later."
