Majority of Ford Battery Plant Workers Seek Union

Workers at the BlueOval SK electric vehicle battery plant in Kentucky have expressed overwhelming support for union recognition, with a supermajority signing cards to join the United Auto Workers (UAW). This plant, a joint venture between Ford and South Korea's SK On, is part of a broader UAW campaign to unionize EV battery workers, backed by a $40 million investment. Currently, starting wages at BlueOval SK are $21 an hour, significantly lower than the $26.32 hourly wage for UAW members at traditional Ford plants. Workers emphasize that unionization would provide job security and better pay, with potential earnings exceeding $42 an hour after three years. The Kentucky plant is set to begin operations in 2025, with plans to employ around 5,000 workers. The UAW's efforts align with recent successes in organizing battery plants in other states, aiming to set industry standards in the burgeoning EV battery sector.