A significant step in the labor movement took place this week as a supermajority of workers at BlueOval SK (BOSK), a battery manufacturing joint venture between Ford and SK On, filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) for a vote to unionize under the United Auto Workers (UAW).
The filing, made on Tuesday, marks the first major unionization push in the Southern United States in 2025, signaling a continued trend of Southern autoworkers seeking representation with the UAW.
Workers Demand a Voice on Safety and Conditions
The push to unionize stems from safety concerns and working conditions at the BOSK plant. In a newly released video, BOSK workers outline their reasons for supporting unionization. Among the key issues is the handling of hazardous chemicals and the need for proper protective equipment.
Halee Hadfield, a quality operator at BOSK, highlighted the risks workers face daily. “The chemicals we’re working with can be extremely dangerous. If something goes wrong, a massive explosion can occur,” she said. “With our union, we can speak up if we see there’s a problem and make sure we’re keeping ourselves and the whole community safe.”
The workers’ campaign began publicly in November after a supermajority signed union cards. Despite this, the company has reportedly hired anti-union consultants in an attempt to deter the effort.
Angela Conto, a production operator at BOSK, shared why she is concerned with BOSK’s decision:
“Instead of listening to our safety concerns, management has been ordering people to work without proper protective equipment. Now they’re trying to stop us from forming our union to win a strong voice for safety.”
BOSK recently was given a $9.63 billion loan from the Department of Energy to expand battery manufacturing at its plants, including money that will go directly to the same plant where workers are planning to vote to unionize.
In light of the new money going to BOSK, Chad Johnson, who currently works at the battery plant, said the facility has been hiring constantly. However, BOSK has included new language in hiring contracts that might intimidate new employees who aren’t aware of the vote to join UAW.
“When they send out their offer letters to new hires, the offer letters include a ‘Why you shouldn’t join a union,’ ‘Why unions are bad for you,’ they’ve got that propaganda going on,” he said. “They’re handing out leaflets in (the facility).”
Johnson added the methods BOSK is taking to keep workers from unionzing.
“They’ve ramped up a third party for an anti-union campaign,” he said. They’re spending a tremendous amount of money on this third-party campaign when it could be going to fixing the issues here.”
And as issues continue to mount, including various safety concerns from staff including Johnson, he says the company is not looking to keep their current employees safe or paid fairly.
“They’re hiring more workers, but they’re not doing anything for anybody.”
Building on Success
The unionization effort at BOSK is inspired by similar victories, including UAW campaigns at Ultium Cells plants in Ohio and Tennessee. Workers at Ultium Cells in Lordstown, Ohio, faced comparable challenges but successfully organized with the UAW, securing safety protections and significant wage increases.
Andrew McLean, a logistics worker at BOSK, emphasized the importance of union representation for a newly established facility.
“Right now, we don’t have a say at BOSK. With a union, we’ll be on a level playing field with management,” he said.
In December, BOSK workers hosted a town hall in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, with UAW members from Ultium Cells, further solidifying their resolve to unionize.
