Today's AFL-CIO Daily Brief: AFL-CIO Tour Bus Races Through Derby City with BOSK Workers Ahead of Their Landmark Election

On Saturday, labor leaders, union members and elected lawmakers gathered in Louisville after the Kentucky State AFL-CIO’s first Women’s Union Summit concluded to rally with workers at EV battery manufacturer BlueOval SK (BOSK) as they prepare for their election to join the UAW.

Why It Matters:
In a fitting end to a groundbreaking inaugural gathering for union women across industries, the AFL-CIO “It’s Better in a Union” tour bus pulled into the city to uplift the voices of women workers at BOSK who are fighting for a fair collective bargaining agreement. Kentucky State AFL-CIO President Dustin Reinstedler and state federation Communications Director Belle Townsend delivered words of solidarity alongside Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1447 President Lillian Brents—who is also the president of the Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW) Derby City Chapter—and United Steelworkers (USW) District 8 Director Larry Ray. The rally also included speeches from Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, Rep. Morgan McGarvey and state Rep. Nima Kulkarni.

“We want a voice…we want to get negotiating going and get a contract negotiation for a better workplace, better health insurance and better pay,” said Amanda East, an equality operator at the battery plant.

Her fellow worker Amber Levay added, “Next time you see me, we will be in negotiations.”