Title: UAW Demands Fair Compensation and Safe Working Conditions for Ultium Cells Workers

Introduction

The United Auto Workers (UAW) union is currently engaged in labor contract negotiations with General Motors (GM), Ford, and Stellantis. In these negotiations, the UAW is focusing on ensuring fair compensation and safe working conditions for workers at GM and LG’s joint venture, Ultium Cells LLC. This article explores the UAW’s concerns regarding worker safety and compensation at Ultium Cells, as well as their demand for a share of the tax credits received by GM.

Unsafe Working Conditions at Ultium Cells

The UAW has raised concerns about the safety of workers at Ultium Cells, citing a number of accidents that have occurred at the plant. In June, a defective battery caught fire, resulting in two workers being hospitalized for smoke inhalation. Another incident involved a worker being sprayed with toxic gas while handling a battery cell, causing minor burns and a three-day absence from work. Tragically, a contractor at the plant was crushed by an automated crane last year, leading to serious injuries and his subsequent death in the hospital.

According to Bloomberg, a total of 22 workers have suffered injuries at the Ultium plant, resulting in a combined 200 days of missed work. This equates to a rate of 2.2 injuries per hundred workers, which is twice the average for battery plants. Ultium Cells has paid $68,000 in fines to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration over the past year for non-injury claims. These incidents highlight the need for improved safety measures and protocols at Ultium Cells.

Demand for Fair Compensation

In addition to safety concerns, the UAW is advocating for fair compensation for workers at Ultium Cells. Currently, employees at Ultium earn significantly less than their counterparts at traditional automotive factories. While engine plant workers earn over $30 per hour, battery workers at Ultium Cells are capped at approximately $22 per hour. The UAW argues that the nature of the work at Ultium Cells, which involves handling potentially hazardous materials, warrants higher compensation.

Tax Credits and Worker Compensation

GM is expected to receive $300 million in tax credits through President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act. The UAW believes that it is only fair for a portion of these tax credits to be used to compensate workers adequately. UAW President Shawn Fain emphasizes the importance of a just transition that includes standards for both current and future workers. Without such standards, taxpayers would continue to subsidize Ultium Cells with over $1 billion annually, despite the company paying poverty wages and maintaining poor health and safety conditions.

Conclusion

The UAW’s ongoing negotiations with GM, Ford, and Stellantis have brought attention to the need for fair compensation and safe working conditions at Ultium Cells. The union’s concerns about worker safety are supported by a series of accidents at the plant, including fires, toxic gas exposure, and a fatal incident involving an automated crane. Additionally, the UAW argues that workers at Ultium Cells should be compensated fairly, especially considering the potential risks associated with their work. As negotiations continue, it remains to be seen how GM and Ultium Cells will address these concerns and ensure a just transition for workers in the emerging EV industry.