The UAW continues its aggressive plan to expand its ranks by converting existing non-union plants or, in this case, getting new plants to align with the union right away. The organization filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board to hold an election at Ford Motor Co.’s JV battery plant in Kentucky.
The UAW isn’t waiting around in its attempt to organize the workers at BlueOval SK in Kentucky.
Looking to expand its sphere of influence in the industry, the UAW’s been moving quickly to organize the new electric vehicle and EV battery plants of automakers, starting with General Motors’ new Ultium cells plant in southeastern Ohio. The plant is also a joint venture, but between GM and LG Energy Solution.
Ford’s BlueOval SK plant in Kentucky is a joint venture with South Korean battery maker SK On. It’s part of the larger BlueOval effort just outside Memphis, Tennessee, which will build new EVs as well as batteries for the Dearborn, Michigan-based automaker.
While the move isn’t a surprise, it may be a bit premature, according to Ford officials.
No workers
Ford officials told Reuters in a statement that the move is problematic because most of the workers for the targeted plant haven’t been hired yet. Unionization requires a vote of a simple majority of workers, but the automaker says that isn’t possible yet.
“None of our team members have had the opportunity to see how our plant will operate since we have not yet begun production,” the statement said. “The UAW is trying to rush BlueOval SK into unionization before our full workforce has the opportunity to make a truly free and informed choice.”
However, the UAW claims a “supermajority” of the workers currently at the plant signed cards in support of union membership. No election has been set because the approval process can take several weeks. The UAW claims Ford hired “anti-union consultants” to block the organization effort.
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- UAW Endorses Biden for Second Term
- UAW Charges Musk, Trump With Trying to Intimidate Workers
Banging the drum
Despite Ford’s point-of-order objection to the election push, the UAW is putting on a full-court press to rally support from workers already on site. This includes the aforementioned signing of union cards as well as posting statements from worker confirming their support for the UAW on a special website.
“I have worked both union and nonunion jobs and have seen the power of a union firsthand,” said Andrew McLean, a logistics worker in formation at BOSK. “Right now, we don’t have a say at BOSK. With a union, we’ll be on a level playing field with management. That’s so important when you’re getting a new plant off the ground. The union allows us to give honest feedback without fear of retaliation.”
In addition the website, the UAW’s produced a video where workers are interviewed about why they want UAW representation at the new site.
“We’re forming our union so we can have a say in our safety and our working conditions,” said Halee Hadfield, a quality operator at BOSK, says in the video.
“The chemicals we’re working with can be extremely dangerous. If something goes wrong, a massive explosion can occur. With our union, we can speak up if we see there’s a problem and make sure we’re keeping ourselves and the whole community safe.”
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