Workers to decide on joining union at new Ohio auto battery plant

Robert Besser
27 Nov 2022, 20:30 GMT+10

Next month, workers at a General Motors-LG Energy battery cell manufacturing plant in Ohio will decide whether to unionize.
The vote is a crucial test of the ability of the UAW to organize workers in the growing electric vehicle (EV) supply chain.
The Ohio plant, the first of at least four planned Ultium U.S. battery factories, began production of batteries in August.

WARREN, Ohio: Next month, workers at a General Motors-LG Energy battery cell manufacturing plant in Ohio will decide whether to unionize.

Workers at Ultium Cells LLC in Warren, Ohio, will vote on 7th and 8th December after the United Auto Workers (UAW) petitioned to represent about 900 workers, said the National Labor Relations Board.

The vote is a crucial test of the ability of the UAW to organize workers in the growing electric vehicle (EV) supply chain, and came after most employees signed cards authorizing the union to represent them.

"By refusing to recognize their majority-will, Ultium, which is a joint venture between General Motors and LG Energy Solution, has decided to ignore democracy and delay the recognition process," said UAW President Ray Curry.

The Ohio plant, the first of at least four planned Ultium U.S. battery factories, began production of batteries in August.

In a trip to South Korea in May, U.S. President Joe Biden expressed support for workers seeking to unionize JV battery plants. Detroit automakers all have battery plants in the works with Korean partners.

GM and LG Energy are building a $2.6 billion battery cell plant in Michigan that will open in 2024, and a $2.3 billion Tennessee plant to be completed in 2023, as well as considering an Indiana site for a fourth plant in the U.S.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Energy Department said in July that it intends to loan Ultium $2.5 billion to help finance new lithium-ion battery cell manufacturing facilities, including the Ohio plant.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Manufacturing Mirror.

More Information

25 ℃

Light Rain Shower in Seletar

Small Business

Section

Ireland CEOs voice concern over decline in economy in 2023

DUBLIN, Ireland: A just-released survey shows that over half of the chief executives in Ireland believe the nation's economic growth ...

Profits down 9% at American Express due to late customer payments

NEW YORK CITY, New York: As it sets aside more funds to cover potentially bad loans, American Express announced that ...

DHFL fraud case: Delhi HC extends interim bail of businessman Ajay R. Nawandar on medical grounds

New Delhi [India], January 4 (ANI): The Delhi High Court has extended the interim bail granted to businessman Ajay Ramesh ...

US jury finds Elon Musk not liable in Tesla tweet trial

Washington [US], February 4 (ANI): A US jury on Friday decided that Tesla CEO Elon Musk was "not liable" for ...

After Delhi, Punjab's Liquor scam should also be exposed: Tarun Chugh

New Delhi [India], February 3 (ANI): BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh on Friday demanded a central agency inquiry into ...

China's human trafficking syndicates lure away hundreds from Southeast Asian countries: Report

Beijing [China], February 3 (ANI):In southeast Asian region, Chinese human trafficking syndicates operate in nexus with local authorities in countries ...

Automotive

Section