Pivotal union vote looms at Kentucky plant that produces EV batteries

"Ballots are being cast Wednesday over a pivotal decision at a Kentucky manufacturing complex that is producing batteries for electric vehicles. Workers will decide whether to join the United Auto Workers and extend a streak of union victories in the South, where organized labor struggled to find solid footing. A two-day union vote closes Wednesday, about a week after production began at the BlueOval SK battery park, a nearly $6 billion joint venture between Ford Motor Co. and its South Korean partner, SK On."

"Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear says the complex that sprung up in tiny Glendale - a community of around 2,000 residents an hour south of Louisville - is the single largest economic investment in Bluegrass State history. Pro-union employee Kumari Logan is looking for the security than she believes only a unionized workforce can deliver. "My bills are guaranteed, so my pay and benefits should be guaranteed, too," Logan said in comments emailed by the union."

"On-the-job-safety surfaced as another key issue for pro-union workers. The company says workplace safety is its top priority. The company said it wants to maintain a "direct relationship" with its employees. When battery production started, BlueOval SK CEO Michael Adams said it is "creating good-paying, American jobs" while "strengthening the domestic supply chain and driving the transition to zero-emissions transportation.""

A two-day union vote at the BlueOval SK battery park in Glendale, Kentucky will determine whether workers join the United Auto Workers. The plant, a nearly $6 billion joint venture between Ford and SK On, began production about a week before the vote and will supply batteries for Ford EVs including the F-150 Lightning and E-Transit. Workers cite job security, guaranteed pay and benefits, and on-the-job safety as key reasons for unionization. The company emphasizes workplace safety, a desire to maintain a direct relationship with employees, and frames the project as creating good-paying American jobs.

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