"LG EnSol-GM Joint Factory Nears Agreement on 30% Wage Increase"

Bloomberg and Major Foreign Media Reports
UAW-Affiliated Ultium Cells Union
Has Demanded a 30% Wage Increase So Far

A view of the battery plant under construction in Ohio, USA, by Ultium Cells, a joint venture between LG Energy Solution and General Motors (GM). Photo by LG Energy Solution

Foreign media reports have emerged that wages for workers at the battery joint factory of LG Energy Solution and General Motors (GM) could rise by nearly 30%.

Major foreign media outlets, including Bloomberg News, reported on the 24th that wage increase negotiations are underway at Ultium Cells, the joint venture of LG Energy Solution and GM, at its Ohio plant. Both labor and management are reportedly close to an agreement to raise the hourly wage for Ohio plant workers from the current $15.50 (about 20,692 KRW) to over $20 (about 26,700 KRW), an increase of approximately 29%, and to provide retroactive pay increases to full-time employees. Ultium Cells has not responded to the foreign media reports.

The United Auto Workers (UAW) union has declared that it will focus on raising wages for workers at electric vehicle battery plants this year. UAW President Shawn Fain stated, "Raising wages for battery plant workers is the top priority in this summer's wage negotiations with automakers," and noted, "The wage level at Ultium Cells' Ohio plant is lower than that of internal combustion engine vehicle plants." The Ultium Cells plant pays hourly wages ranging from $15.50 to $16.50 (about 20,692 KRW to 21,945 KRW), whereas traditional automobile plants pay $32 (about 42,560 KRW).

The UAW is concerned about the possibility of existing workers losing their jobs during the automotive industry's transition from internal combustion engine vehicles to electric vehicles. Electric vehicles require fewer parts than internal combustion engine vehicles, so fewer workers are needed.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.