The United Auto Workers has filed for a union vote by workers at the BlueOval SK battery plant in Glendale — an action the company says is “premature” and “puts at risk the freedom and opportunities of our current and soon-to-be-hired Kentucky team members.”   The union filed a petition Tuesday with the National Labor Relations Board seeking a vote in what a UAW news release says is “the first major filing in the South in 2025 and continues the movement of Southern autoworkers organizing with the UAW.” In response, BlueOval SK issued a release saying that “most of the team” who will work at the plant have yet to be hired. “They, too, deserve to have their voices heard. And none of our Team Members have had the opportunity to see how our plant will operate since we have not yet begun production. The UAW is trying to rush BlueOval SK into unionization before our full workforce has the opportunity to make a truly free and informed choice.” UAW President Shawn Fain touts solidarity as Kentucky AFL-CIO prepares to choose a new leader BlueOval SK, a joint venture of Ford Motor Co. and South Korea-based SK On, is expected to begin production early this year. The $6 billion manufacturing complex, built on 1,500 acres near Interstate 65 in southern Hardin County, is expected to eventually employ about 5,000 people.    The union announced in November that a supermajority of workers at the plant had signed union cards.   The National Labor Relations Board, a federal agency, is responsible for scheduling and overseeing union votes and for hearing appeals from both sides. The UAW release quotes Halee Hadfield, a quality operator at Blue Oval SK, who says, “We’re forming our union so we can have a say in our safety and our working conditions. The chemicals we’re working with can be extremely dangerous. If something goes wrong, a massive explosion can occur. 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 company’s release says safety is a priority. “We continually invest in the development and growth of our workforce by offering competitive wages and regular bonuses, prioritizing safety, and providing opportunities for promotion within BlueOval SK. We are grateful for our team and look forward to maintaining our direct relationship as we prepare for our on-time start to production.” The post UAW files for union vote at BlueOvalSK battery plant. Company calls action premature. appeared first on The Lexington Times.