Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn says he’s confident union workers will reach a labor agreement with Ford.

More than three quarters of union employees at the south side Chicago Ford plant rejected the company’s tentative labor contract and were told to prepare for a possible strike.

Quinn says the contract dispute is part of the labor bargaining process.

“I’m sure they will come together and come out with a good final agreement,” said Quinn on Thursday. “That’s what labor democracy is all about.”

If passed, the contract would add 1,100 jobs to two Chicago area plants by creating a third factory shift. The contract also includes a $6,000 signing bonus and profit sharing over annual raises. 

Voting began at a second Chicago-area plant on Thursday.