LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — UAW members at Ford’s two Louisville vehicle plants have rejected the proposed contract by a narrow 52-to-48 margin, deviating from the national trend. The vote was held with 5,766 workers from the Kentucky Truck Plant and Louisville Assembly Plant casting their ballots at the Galt House hotel in downtown Louisville.

The inclusion of the Louisville votes lowered the overall percentage in favor of the deal to 65%, down from about 70% before Sunday, according to UAW figures. However, UAW Local 862 President Todd Dunn expressed confidence that the contract will still likely be ratified based on the overall numbers.

Louisville workers have a history of being critical of proposed Ford deals. Local 862 production workers voted 55% against the 2023 agreement, and have opposed previous contract votes in 2019 and 2015.

Various opinions regarding the deal were shared by the workers who were interviewed. Some workers, like China Jones, saw the agreed wage increase as merely a way to restore wages to where they would have been without the concessions given in the past. Chris Ireland expressed the desire for a larger upfront wage hike, while 20-year-old line worker Antonio Rodriguez supported the deal.

The contract, announced on Oct. 25, promises immediate 11% pay raises, growing to 25% over the life of the four-year deal. Younger workers will benefit from an accelerated path to standard wages — three years instead of eight.

However, there were workers like Tamekya Barbour who voted against the deal due to the lack of a traditional pension and retiree healthcare. On the other hand, some workers, like Joshua Jordan, expressed confidence in the union’s negotiations with Ford.

In sum, 52% of workers at Ford’s Louisville plants rejected the proposed UAW contract, with various opinions expressed on the deal’s provisions like wage increases and retiree benefits. The national majority needed to put the deal in place continues to seem likely based on UAW figures and comments from local union leaders.