Publication date:
August 27, 2025
Ford-SK Battery Plant Workers Vote on Unionization as EV Manufacturing Scales
Employees at Kentucky's $6 billion BlueOval SK battery manufacturing facility are voting on union representation as production begins for Ford's electric vehicle lineup. The outcome could influence labor relations across the expanding domestic EV battery supply chain.
Energy
The BlueOval SK battery manufacturing complex in Glendale, Kentucky has initiated production operations while workers complete a critical unionization vote. This facility, representing Kentucky's largest economic investment, produces battery systems for Ford's F-150 Lightning pickup truck and E-Transit commercial van, marking a significant expansion of domestic EV battery manufacturing capacity.
The unionization effort reflects broader labor dynamics in the rapidly growing electric vehicle supply chain sector. Similar organizing campaigns have achieved mixed results across the Southern United States, with successful union votes at General Motors battery facilities in Tennessee and Ohio, while facing setbacks at Mercedes plants in Alabama. These outcomes will likely influence future labor strategies as automakers expand EV production infrastructure.
Domestic battery production capacity is becoming increasingly strategic as traditional automakers accelerate their transition from internal combustion engines to electric powertrains. Ford has committed an additional $2 billion to retool its Louisville assembly plant for electric vehicle production, with plans to manufacture a midsize electric pickup truck by 2027 using lower-cost battery technology from Michigan-based manufacturing.
The timing of this labor vote coincides with policy uncertainty surrounding federal EV incentives, including potential elimination of the $7,500 consumer tax credit. Despite political headwinds, major automakers continue investing in electric vehicle infrastructure, suggesting confidence in long-term market demand for electric vehicles and their supporting supply chains.
The unionization effort reflects broader labor dynamics in the rapidly growing electric vehicle supply chain sector. Similar organizing campaigns have achieved mixed results across the Southern United States, with successful union votes at General Motors battery facilities in Tennessee and Ohio, while facing setbacks at Mercedes plants in Alabama. These outcomes will likely influence future labor strategies as automakers expand EV production infrastructure.
Domestic battery production capacity is becoming increasingly strategic as traditional automakers accelerate their transition from internal combustion engines to electric powertrains. Ford has committed an additional $2 billion to retool its Louisville assembly plant for electric vehicle production, with plans to manufacture a midsize electric pickup truck by 2027 using lower-cost battery technology from Michigan-based manufacturing.
The timing of this labor vote coincides with policy uncertainty surrounding federal EV incentives, including potential elimination of the $7,500 consumer tax credit. Despite political headwinds, major automakers continue investing in electric vehicle infrastructure, suggesting confidence in long-term market demand for electric vehicles and their supporting supply chains.
