GLENDALE, Ky. — Kentucky workers at the BlueOval SK electric battery plant in Hardin County have launched their bid to unionize and join the United Auto Workers (UAW), which represents around 57,000 Ford Motor Company employees.
According to a UAW release, a majority of plant employees have begun organizing, signing their union authorization cards this week.
According to Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, the factory is set to open in the first quarter of 2025.
"I am a pro-union governor. I always will be. What my hope is is that the companies that are involved will stay neutral and let this be a true decision of the employees," Beshear said in his Team Kentucky update when asked for his thoughts on the unionization effort.
BlueOval SK is a joint venture between Ford and Korean company SK On to make batteries for Ford's future EV fleet.
Back in August, Beshear revealed these would not be union jobs at the Glendale plant when it opens, but we're learning, that doesn't necessarily mean they never will be.
"What I was talking about was when the negotiation happened with Ford and the UAW, that the battery plants weren't included," Beshear said during his Team Kentucky update. "That doesn't prevent the normal process which is going on here."
UAW Local 862 President Todd Dunn of Louisville told WHAS11, "They want to organize, and I think it's because of that close relationship to the plants in Louisville -- and friends and family."
In a statement, BlueOval SK HR Director Neva Burke said, "We want to maintain a direct relationship with our employees."
The facility just off I-65 is almost done, with 750 people hired so far and up to 2,500 expected eventually. The majority of the workers are Kentuckians, including retired Ford employees.
Meantime, small businesses in Hardin County are already feeling the economic boost. Korean representatives at BlueOval SK were seen walking into Mountain Mike's Coffee House in Glendale on Thursday.
Just down the street, Glendale Christian Church Pastor Mike Bell, known locally as "Mr. Glendale," said the company's "presence has helped our economy."
"The owner of one of the businesses – our coffee shop – he said since the Koreans have come here he's been making a profit. Before he was just breaking even. But now, he's realizing and being able to pay more and do more," Bell told WHAS11.
Bell continued, "I'm not a person who likes change. But I have met a lot of great people. The Koreans are outstanding people, and I have learned from their culture."
Bell acknowledges the challenges of BlueOval SK building in their community largely made up of farmland, but he says he and others are making the most of it.
"Sometimes when I go out to get my McDonald's diet coke, I have to remember which direction I'm going -- the roads have changed," he said. "Would I have voted to do this? Probably not. But it's here."
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