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United Auto Workers (UAW) President Shawn Fain announced via YouTube late Wednesday night that the bargaining committee of the union had ordered UAW members at Ford Motor Co.'s largest factory, the Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville, Ky., to walk out.
Stating that Ford management had "not taken us seriously" in the latest ongoing UAW contract negotiation, Fain's announced, "at 6:30 this evening (October 11) they are to walk out and go on strike."
Ford's Kentucky Truck Plant employs 8,700 workers and produces the company's F-series trucks along with full-size SUVs Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator.
In the almost 30 days into the UAW's historic strike against all three major American auto companies the union has called more than 30,000 workers to the picket lines. UAW members at Kokomo’s Stellantis operations have not yet been asked to walk out. The company, however, has idled some workers as a result of strikes at other facilities.
"We came here today to get another offer from Ford ... this offer was the exact same offer they gave us two weeks ago," said Fain. "We have been very patient, working with the company on this, and they have not met expectations."
Fain started his automotive career as an electrician in UAW Local 1166 at Kokomo's Stellantis Chrysler Casting plant. He was elected in May as UAW president in a runoff election against former UAW President Ray Curry.
IU Kokomo celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month
According to the US State Department website, "Hispanic Heritage Month, from September 15 – October 15...celebrates the countless contributions of more than 60 million Hispanic Americans, Latinos, Latinas, and Latinx-identifying people to our culture and society."
IU Kokomo celebrated Sept. 30 with a Hispanic Heritage Month Fiesta at IU Kokomo's outdoor pavilion.
Dancers dressed in traditional garb, mariachi musicians and much more graced the pavilion stage as pupusas, empanadas and other traditional Hispanic foods were served at a nearby food tent.
There were traditional games and face painting to get into the spirit of the fiesta as well.
"The fiesta is a good way to link our community with our campus, and to share our culture with everyone,” said J.R. Pico, teaching professor in Spanish and Humanities.
Hispanic Americans and those individuals who identify as Hispanic, Latino, Latina, and Latinx are the largest minority group in America today. More than 554,100 people with Hispanic heritage live in Indiana according to the Indiana Latino Institute.
National Hispanic Heritage Month began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover 30 days. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988.