Workers at a Kentucky battery plant have voted if favor of being represented by the United Auto Workers. The workers at the plant make batteries for the all-electric Ford F-150 Lightning and the E-Transit cargo van. Workers were concerned about low pay, favoritism, and health and safety issues. Workers have been exposed to chemicals, mold, electric shocks, and fires and have also witnessed blocked emergency exits. They voted in favor of unionization despite management harassing supporters, destroying union materials, firing pro-union workers, and illegally threatening to close the facility.
Food service, sanitation, and maintenance workers at the University of Minnesota have reached a tentative contract agreement after a five-day strike. The workers, represented by the Teamsters, were able to reach this agreement in part due to support from Farm Aid and Teamsters drivers, who refused to cross the picket line. The workers will receive pay raises of 3.5 percent in each of the first two years, and three percent in year three. They will also be able to take a ten-week leave of absence without having to fear being reassigned to another position.