StarPlus Energy Workers Join UAW, Achieving Unionization in Kokomo

StarPlus Energy Workers in Kokomo Join UAW

KOKOMO, Ind. — Employees at StarPlus Energy in Kokomo, Indiana, have officially joined the United Auto Workers (UAW) union after a majority of the workforce signed up. The company, a collaborative effort between Stellantis and Samsung SDI, remained neutral throughout the process, allowing 420 workers to organize without interference. The unionization was achieved peacefully as soon as the necessary majority signed their cards.

Frank Bush, a StarPlus employee, remarked, “This is a big deal for StarPlus workers in Indiana. We were able to decide our future without intimidation, and now we’re on a path to the good pay and benefits, and respect on the job that other autoworkers in battery are winning.”

The successful unionization at StarPlus reflects a broader trend of union wins in the Midwest and Southern U.S., following recent victories at battery plants in Lordstown, Ohio, and Spring Hill, Tennessee. Similar to these cases, workers at these facilities achieved unionization under the UAW and secured strong agreements.

Dave Green, Director of UAW Region 2B, stated, “The UAW members at StarPlus stood up to make sure battery jobs are good union jobs. Workers in Indiana and across the region, know they deserve fair wages, workplace protections, and the dignity that UAW members have been fighting for the last 90 years. As a union family, they need to know that we’re going to have their back every step of the way.”

The Kokomo plant, having commenced production earlier this year, is part of a wider initiative to expand electric vehicle battery manufacturing in the U.S. This milestone adds to the growing momentum established by the UAW's successful agreements at Lordstown and Spring Hill, which featured significant wage hikes and enhanced health and safety measures.

Anna Deweese, another worker from StarPlus, expressed, “Joining the union is going to help us build a better life. We’re not asking for the moon—we just want decent pay, affordable healthcare, and to have protections in an uncertain economy.”

Adding to this, Sara Kidwell at StarPlus noted, “When you’re on your own, it’s hard to speak up. But when we stand together, they’ve got to listen. That’s what being in a union is all about.”

The comprehensive protections gained from the Big Three agreements offer a robust foundation for workers in emerging EV plants like StarPlus. With strong backing from the union, employees are now better positioned to secure equitable wages, ensure safe working environments, and achieve long-term industry stability.

Meanwhile, not all workers share the same outlook. At Kentucky's BlueOval SK, employees have initiated a union election process but face delays as the company and Ford engage in protracted negotiations, using intimidation and surveillance tactics. An exposé by the Louisville Courier-Journal highlighted hazardous conditions at this facility, including exposure to chemicals, mold, bat infestations, and workplace injuries. These workers are rallying for union protections, seeking a voice, safety, and dignity in their workplace as exemplified by the achievements of StarPlus workers.