Speaking in front of a backdrop of American-made vehicles and a United Auto Workers (UAW) sign, Democratic US presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden talks about the new proposals to protect U.S. jobs during a campaign stop in Warren, Michigan, U.S., September 9, 2020.
Lea Millis | Reuters
DETROIT — Workers at a common engine The joint venture battery plant in Ohio voted overwhelmingly in favor of representing United Auto workers, the union said early Friday.
The vote is being watched closely as such battery plants are seen as crucial for automakers to transition from traditional vehicles with internal combustion engines to powered cars and trucks. completely electric. Some of the other multi-billion dollar factories of GM and other automakers are under construction in the US
The UAW reported about 98% of the vote in favor of the union. The number was 710 votes in favor of the representative of the UAW; 16 against; and one is void. The National Labor Relations Board, which is overseeing the election, was not immediately available for comment.
Driven by a national labor movement and BIFollowing the administration’s pro-union comments, labor and industry experts largely expected workers at the Ultium Cells LLC plant in Ohio — a joint venture between GM and LG Energy Solution — to vote in favor representative of the UAW.
The vote held after Ultium refused to recognize the union through a expedited organizational process called “check cards,” despite comments from GM CEO Mary Barra expressing support for employees’ right to union.
Under the NLRB rules, both parties have five business days to file an objection to challenge the outcome.
The factory of Ultium Cells LLC – a joint venture between GM and LG Energy Solution – begins battery production in Warren, Ohio in August 2022.
Ultium
Joint venture battery facilities are seen as crucial for the UAW to grow and add members, as automakers like GM transition to electric vehicles, which require less labor and transmission parts. more system than cars with internal combustion engines.
The Ultium plant in Ohio, which began production in August, is the first of at least four US-based battery manufacturing facilities under the GM-LG joint venture. The factory is expected to employ thousands of workers in the coming years. ford engine, Stellantis and other automakers have announced similar plants, each of which will have to be organized separately from the other Ultium plants.
How to convert traditional auto workers to new jobs for electric vehicles has been a major concern for the UAW for several years. Ford CEO Jim Farley last month said the company expected electric vehicles to require 40% less workers than conventional cars and trucks.
