LOUISVILLE, Ky. — As Kentucky Truck Plant (KTP) workers mark day four on strike, worries are mounting for workers at Ford's other Kentucky plant, the Louisville Assembly Plant (LAP), about what happens next.
"Everybody's a little worried. I don't think nobody was ready for this strike," KTP striking worker Alfonso Ellis said. "There's definitely a fear at LAP because they want to be on strike too, they don't want to go on layoff [status]."
On Thursday, United Auto Workers Local 862 President Todd Dunn said up to 3,000 LAP workers could potentially be laid off by Ford in response to KTP joining UAW's standing strike.
It comes amid 550 layoffs announced by Ford Motor Co., Friday, at plants in Ohio, Michigan and Illinois.
Joining the picket lines for the first time Saturday, Ellis said some LAP workers joined striking KTP workers, in a show of solidarity.
"I can say [LAP workers] have no reason to be here," he said. "It feels good when you get people standing up with you that has nothing to do with [them]."
Ellis's first shift was a unique one, because he shared with his 20-year-old son, who's a third generation Ford worker and union member.
"It feels great. I mean, this is historic and I'm proud of him," Ellis said. "It's great to be able to share this moment with him."
As the Kentucky Truck Plant remains, mostly, empty, the Louisville Assembly Plant remains open running regular operations, but according to Dunn, that may end soon.
UAW leaders tell WHAS11 the plant is likely operating with hundreds of non-union workers versus the nearly 9,000 union workers who walked out on Wednesday.
"What I heard [is] supervisors are trying to operate the machines," striking KTP worker, CJ Buford, said. "I don't know how well that's going for them, so I would expect something to happen at LAP soon.
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