The United Auto Workers union announced plans to launch organizing campaigns at Hyundai's Montgomery, Alabama plant and Kia's West Point, Georgia facility, expanding its push into non-union automakers following successful campaigns at other manufacturers. UAW President Shawn Fain said the campaigns will begin this month with informational meetings for plant workers.
Hyundai Motor Group employs roughly 8,500 workers across the two facilities, producing popular models including the Hyundai Tucson, Santa Fe, and Kia Telluride. Workers at both plants currently earn between $22 and $31 per hour, compared to the $35-plus hourly wages recently negotiated at unionized Detroit automakers.
Both Hyundai and Kia issued statements saying they respect their employees' rights while emphasizing competitive pay and benefits packages. Industry analysts expect the organizing efforts to be closely watched as a bellwether for labor relations across the Southern auto manufacturing corridor.
