Back in January, workers at the future joint-venture Ford EV battery plant known as BlueOval SK Battery Park in Kentucky officially filed for a union election with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to join the United Auto Workers (UAW). BlueOval SK called the move “premature” based on the fact that most of its workforce hasn’t been hired yet, nor has production begun, and subsequently filed a complaint with the NLRB. Regardless, BlueOval SK workers received federal approval to hold a vote, and now, we know when it will happen.
The UAW has announced that BlueOval SK workers will get a chance to vote in a union election set to take place on August 26th and 27th, which will be conducted by the NLRB. After that process is completed, the ballots will be counted and we’ll learn whether or not the majority decides to take such action. It’s a notable decision for many reasons, and one that comes after workers have expressed concerns revolving around worker health, safety, and a lack of communication.
Thus far, the UAW has filed six unfair labor practice complaints with the NLRB as well, claiming that BlueOval SK has “threatened, restrained, and coerced workers,” destroyed union materials found around the facility, threatened to close the plant, and fired workers who show support for the union.
As Ford Authority previously reported, BlueOval SK workers that support joining the UAW are doing so for a few reasons. They claim that BlueOval SK management has thus far ignored worker concerns pertaining to safety, and have concerns about being exposed to fire, electrical, and chemical hazards, as well as mold, which became a problem at the site last year. Additionally, BlueOval SK workers are concerned about the fact that they reportedly make less money than employees at other Ford plants in the state.
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