Tennessee battery plant workers unionize for pay raises
- About 1,000 workers at a battery plant in Spring Hill, Tennessee, have joined the United Auto Workers union.
- Starting pay will increase from $20 per hour to a minimum of $27.72, with further increases planned over three years.
- This unionization effort strengthens the UAW's presence in southern states and supports ongoing organizing efforts in the auto industry.
Approximately 1,000 employees at a General Motors joint venture battery plant in Spring Hill, Tennessee, have successfully unionized with the United Auto Workers (UAW). This decision followed a majority of workers signing cards in favor of union representation, leading to the recognition of the union by GM and LG Energy Solution. The unionization process was independently certified and concluded recently, allowing workers to negotiate for better pay and working conditions. As a result of joining the UAW, workers will see significant pay increases. The starting wage, previously set at $20 per hour, will rise to a minimum of $27.72, with projections for further increases over the next three years, reaching $30.88 for minimum production workers. This agreement falls under the national contract negotiated by the UAW last fall, which aims to standardize pay and benefits across various plants. The union's presence at the Spring Hill facility marks a strategic expansion for the UAW in the southern United States, where it has been actively working to organize nonunion auto plants. This follows a recent successful union vote at a Volkswagen assembly plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, while the UAW faced setbacks at a Mercedes assembly plant in Alabama. The recognition of the union at this battery plant is significant for the UAW, as it represents a foothold in a region traditionally resistant to unionization. The union believes that this development will enhance operational continuity, foster innovation, and contribute to world-class manufacturing standards in the electric vehicle sector.