UAW Wins Union Election at SK On-Ford Joint Venture Plant

Company: "Need to see how challenged 41 votes are handled"

Logo of BlueOval SK. [AP Yonhap News photo. Reproduction and DB prohibited]

The United Auto Workers (UAW) announced on the 27th (local time) that it has won a union election at the BlueOval SK plant in Kentucky, a joint venture between SK On and Ford that manufactures electric vehicle batteries.

According to Reuters, the UAW urged the company to recognize the election results, stating that a majority of BlueOval SK's production and maintenance workers supported joining the UAW.

The UAW asserted, "They (Ford) must immediately cease anti-democratic activities aimed at invalidating the election results." They added that they believe the 41 challenged votes are merely a strategy by the employer to undermine the election outcome and lack legitimacy.

The vote count was 526 in favor and 515 against. Therefore, how the 41 challenged votes are handled is expected to determine the outcome of the election.

BlueOval SK stated, "The election results depend on the National Labor Relations Board's (NLRB) decision on whether to count the 41 challenged votes." They added, "Every voice matters, so we will urge the NLRB to reflect all eligible votes."

The UAW represents workers at Ford, General Motors (GM), and Stellantis.

Reuters evaluated that if the union wins, it will gain much-needed momentum by expanding its membership at EV production facilities in the Southern United States.

BlueOval SK plans to build two plants in Kentucky and employ a total of 5,000 people. Of these, the first plant has hired approximately 1,450 employees and began production this summer, but the second plant is experiencing delays.

This plant produces batteries for the electric version of Ford's popular pickup truck, the F-150, among other components.

As the automotive industry's focus shifts increasingly towards electric vehicles, the Southern United States is becoming a new battleground for the UAW.

UAW President Shawn Fain sought to expand on the historic victory at the Volkswagen plant in Tennessee last year but did not achieve significant success. The UAW lost the union election at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Alabama in May of last year.