Workers at Ultium Cells, a joint venture between GM and LG Energy Solution, have voted to unionize with the United Auto Workers (UAW). According to CNBC, the election results, which were overseen by the National Labor Relations Board, resulted in 710 votes in favor of joining the UAW, 16 votes against, and one was void. This marks the first time that a battery manufacturing facility will be represented by a union. The Associated Press reports that Mary Barra, GM CEO, supports the union vote at the Warren, Ohio, plant.
In a recent quote, UAW President Ray Curry said, "Our entire union welcomes our latest members from Ultium. As the auto industry transitions to electric vehicles, new workers entering the auto sector at plants like Ultium are thinking about their value and worth. This vote shows that they want to be a part of maintaining the high standards and wages that UAW members have built in the auto industry."
In a statement from Joe Biden, the President says, "Congratulations to the newest members of the United Auto Workers at the Ultium Cells LLC EV battery plant in Warren, Ohio. I ran for President to rebuild the middle class. The middle class built America – and unions built the middle class. My economic plan is creating good-paying jobs that you can raise a family on – many that don’t require a college degree – and provide the free and fair choice to join a union. By rebuilding our infrastructure and our manufacturing of electric vehicle batteries and semi-conductors, these jobs will bring our supply chains back home and tackle the climate crisis at the same time. In my administration, American and union workers can and will lead the world in manufacturing once again."