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GM’s Ultium Cells Ohio Plant To Vote For Union December

Workers at GM’s Ultium Cells battery plant in Ohio are set to vote in a representation election next month as the United Auto Workers (UAW) labor union moves to unionize GM’s electric vehicle efforts.

Per a recent report from The Detroit News, which cites a filing made by the National Labor Relations Board, the vote will take place December 7th and 8th. The Ultium Cells battery manufacturing facility in Warren, Ohio is the first of four new battery cell facilities planned for the U.S. under Ultium Cells LLC, a joint venture between GM and South Korean technology company LG Energy Solution. Two additional Ultium Cells plants are under construction in Spring Hill, Tennessee, and Delta Township, Michigan, with a fourth tipped for construction in New Carlisle, Indiana.

Per The Detroit News, the transition to an all-electric portfolio is the most strategic issue that the UAW currently faces, according to labor studies professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Sloan School of Management, Tom Kochan.

“The drivetrain engine production was quite labor intensive, and particularly among production workers,” Kochan told The Detroit News. “Those jobs will change dramatically in the electric vehicle production.”

During the recent GM Investor Day event, GM CEO Marry Barra addressed the issue of labor unionization as the automaker made the switch to EVs, noting that she had voiced her support for unionization at the Ultium Cells plants in the past.

“With where our employees are at today, it’s a good middle-class wage,” Barra told investors. “We’ll work through the negotiations and manage that and manage the overall cost, like we do every time.”

The UAW filed to unionize workers at the newly opened Ultium Cells facility back in October. At the time, UAW President Ray Curry stated that Ultium Cells LLC had failed to recognize the UAW after a majority of workers at the facility signed cards authorizing the union to represent them. The Ultium Cells plant in Ohio employees roughly 900 workers.

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Jonathan is an automotive journalist based out of Southern California. He loves anything and everything on four wheels.

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Comments

  1. Need updahave this te on my order BZWBG5 on a 2023 chevy taho
    Have this number been excepted

    Reply
  2. Last month BYD sold 50,000 + units of their Song Plus PHEV crossover which has 2 battery versions: 8.3 KWh and 18.3 KWh with the bigger 1 giving a range of 105 km NEDC.
    GM also sold Chevy Volt Gen-2 (2016-2019) with 18.4 KWh battery for 85 km EPA which may be equivalent to 100 km NEDC.

    It makes more sense to make 3 PHEVs with smaller battery than 1 BEV with bigger battery.

    With more improvized battery with higher energy density like Ultium, GM can bring back Volt with a similar sized battery (as in Gen-2) with 20 KWh battery that goes 100 km (EPA) / around 120-130 km (NEDC) and sell it in global market.

    Reply
    1. beating a dead horse. GM has no plans to produce anymore hybrids. Loved my Volt but now have a Bolt. Will never go back to either ICE or a hybrid.

      Reply
  3. Need update on my order BZWBG5 on a 2023 chevy tahoe

    Reply
    1. Have this number been excepted BZWBG5

      Reply
    2. Corruption is everywhere. If it wasn’t for corrupt business practices we would never have had unions in the first place.
      Many of the manufacturers in the rust belt states refused to modernize in the seventies to meet the new EPA standards. Management stuffed their pockets full of money and shut the companies down claiming they can’t compete. Bethlehem Steel, once the world’s largest manufacturer of Steel was one of those companies. I believe on a level playing field Americans can outcompete and out work anyone. History has proved that time and time again.
      Some of those plants that were shut down or relocated may never have opened if it wasn’t for the skilled union workforce in that area. Companies only pay homage to the people owning their stock certificates. They could care less about their employees.
      I believe you have some good points. I am sorry to hear the union you were in did nothing for you. It is not a perfect world. We all still have to fight the good fight. We just can’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.
      I hope you had a pleasant Thanksgiving with your family and close friends. Going forward I wish you a Merry Christmas.

      Reply
  4. No to the Unions.

    Reply
    1. Union vote yes.
      God bless the UAW.

      Reply
      1. Naw unions are trash and have been for decades.

        Reply
  5. Whether you are a union member or not almost every worker in America benefits from the Union’s in one way or another

    1) 40 Hour Work Week.
    2) overtime pay.
    3) paid holidays.
    4) paid vacation.
    5) medical benefits.
    6) women allowed to work in factories.

    These are just a few of the obvious benefits the unions brought to the workplace. There are hundreds more benefits that everyday workers take for granted. These were not gifts from companies.
    These are benefits that the unions fought for and brought to the workplace for the benefit of everyone working in America.

    Reply
    1. Cool story but they still suck. This is 2022 not the 1950s anymore.

      Reply
    2. Yes pay us to work obey.

      Reply
  6. Unions have done sone good years ago but too often an6more they have lead to plants being closed and jobs sent elsewhere.

    Many union leaders have been found corrupt and convicted.

    The Youngstown area has been very pro union and I expect them to vote them in here. But how that affects their long therm could be a problem.

    The tire industry here in Akron has lost nearly all their jobs as they made uncompetitive demands and the jobs went to other states.

    Northern Ohio is pretty much in decline due to unions that over stepped.

    But the URW got paid back. They had to merge with USW to survive.

    Many of these union workers also were charged with crimes and even investigated for organized crime.

    We need more of where if you want to join join if not don’t.

    I lost a job once due to the union. Did me no good in saving my job.

    Reply
  7. UAW…..AKA….Unemployed Auto Workers

    Reply
  8. The UAW’s reputation is sh*t. Corruption, excessive demands and no obvious pride in product. The UAW needs to step up and start a PR campaign. But it starts with pride in product and reasonable $ expectations.

    Reply
  9. How do I get a update on order # BZWBG5 and has it been excepted

    Reply
  10. How do

    I get a update on order # BZWBG5 and has it been excepted but I have not gotten a answer

    Reply
    1. Can someone just let me know

      Reply

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