Region 6 Director for the United Auto Workers, Mike Miller, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the recently signed neutrality agreement and national card check with an electric vehicle battery manufacturer, Sparkz.
The International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) Region 6 is home to over 100,000 active and retired members. Region 6 was recently remade into its current jurisdiction in November of 2022 with the return of major automobile factories to the region. The region is made up of 9 states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington.
Sparkz, an electric vehicle battery manufacturer, recently agreed to a national card check and neutrality agreement with UAW Region 6. Sparkz creates a battery that does not use cobalt or nickel, that way the entire battery can be sourced from material in the United States. The leadership at Sparkz believes supporting workers' rights and providing an excellent working environment is key to moving forward with the electrification of the auto industry according to Miller. The new plant will initially employ 500 union members, with the opportunity to grow to nearly 3,000 jobs.
EV battery factories and EV manufacturing plants are flocking to California. It is Miller and UAW Region 6’s plan to begin proposing neutrality agreements at these new plants to ensure an opportunity for union members to lead the transition to electric vehicles. California is the perfect place to continue growing the EV industry, with already established research and development facilities, educational and experimental opportunities within the California University system and the government’s desire to eliminate fossil fuels, he added.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more.