Workers at Ford joint-venture plant in Kentucky file for union election to increase membership

From Investing.com: 2025-01-08 11:01:01

The United Auto Workers union is calling for an election at a Ford joint-venture battery plant in Kentucky to increase membership and secure jobs in the industry’s electrification efforts. UAW President Shawn Fain aims to build on past victories, including at GM’s Ultium Cells plants. The union invested $40 million to organize non-union automakers like Tesla and Toyota.

The UAW seeks to hold an election at the BlueOval SK plant, co-owned by SK On and Ford, following recent defeats at other automaker plants. Companies like GM have agreed to recognize worker unions voluntarily, while others require an election overseen by the NLRB. A “supermajority” of workers at the Kentucky plant have shown support for joining the union.

President Joe Biden has backed the UAW’s efforts, but president-elect Donald Trump has a strained relationship with UAW President Fain. An election date has yet to be set, but it typically takes several weeks to organize. The UAW’s push for unionization at battery plants reflects a broader effort to secure jobs and grow membership amid industry changes.



Read more at Investing.com: Workers at Ford joint-venture plant in Kentucky file to hold union election By Reuters