In an unexpected move, the United Auto Workers (UAW) union has expanded its strikes at Ford Motor to include a highly profitable SUV and truck plant in Kentucky.

The strike took effect at 6:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday at Ford’s Kentucky Truck Plant, known for manufacturing Ford Super Duty pickups, Ford Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator SUVs.

This facility employs approximately 8,700 UAW members.

The decision to strike this plant, which is Ford’s largest in terms of employment and revenue, represents a significant escalation in the UAW’s targeted or “stand-up” strikes.

It also marks a shift in strategy, as in the past, UAW President Shawn Fain publicly disclosed the strike targets before work stoppages occurred, CNBC reported.

According to a source at Ford, the union notified the company early on Wednesday afternoon, expressing the desire for a new economic counteroffer by 5 p.m. ET, along with a meeting request for 5:30 p.m. ET involving the entire UAW Ford bargaining committee, including UAW President Shawn Fain and Vice President Chuck Browning.

An insider with knowledge of the negotiations from the UAW side noted that the company did not offer any additional cash in the deal, which triggered the escalation of the strike.

The source added that the union had anticipated Ford to improve its previous economic proposal.

Written by staff