United Auto Workers Union President Shawn Fain addressed UAW workers about concerns facing auto workers and battery workers at Ultium Cells in Lordstown.

Fain said that some of the UAW workers were struggling to get by, and stated that the big 3 automakers, GM, Ford, and Stellantis (Chrysler, Fiat) made more than $36 million nearly profit last year he said during a live stream on Facebook from Detriot, Michigan Friday.

The UAW leader said that the Ultium Cells union bargaining team recently met with legislatures in Washington DC to discuss wages, a fair contract for its employees and concerns over work conditions, including working with and exposure to chemicals that are allegedly not regulated by the US Department of Labor Occupational Safety & Health Department.

Fain also alleged that workers at the Lordstown EV battery plant are "getting sick and passing out."

The UAW leader said that the facility was receiving nearly $1 billion per year in money from the government, despite what he described as "poverty wages and having horrifying health and safety conditions."

Fain stated issues concerning the union include cost-of-living, stagnant wages, post-retirement health care, and the loss of pensions that were agreed to during hard times according to the UAW President.

Ultium Cells' Dallis Tripoulas of the Communications Department told 21 News "Ultium Cells continues to build a team at the Warren, Ohio plant.  Of the people selected for opportunities, 80% accept our employment offer.  We are proud of our people and the work they do every day. Ultium Cells is committed to the active collective bargaining process and will work in good faith with the UAW to reach a competitive agreement that positions our employees and our Ohio battery cell manufacturing facility for success."

Tripoulas added, "In our state-of-the-art plant operations safety is a priority, plant processes comply with all safety regulations including the safe use of chemicals in our plant."

Fain said he is looking to change the mindset to an "aggressive and offense-minded union."

He also mentioned the closure of auto plants, including the Lordstown facility,  that he said has turned workers' lives upside down.

The UAW is entering into contract negotiations with automakers with the contract is set to expire in September.

Tripoulos reached back out to 21 News to clarify the Ohio EPA reports reported on in the story.

The statement read: 

"Ultium Cells is in full compliance with Safety and Environmental regulations. Ultium Cells would like to address the implied connection of Ohio Environmental Protection Agency Letters and Workplace Safety. We are handling waste in compliance with EPA and Dept. of Transportation requirements so that any waste does not pose risks to human health or the environment. The letter was requesting an extension to allow for the waste to be transported to an off-site disposal facility in a safe condition. The requested extension for exterior emission testing was made as testing should occur when systems are running at full capacity for representative emission testing results, this exterior stack emissions test is scheduled next week. These situations referenced do not pose any hazard to employees or the public. "

The statement continued: "Ultium Cells has built a state-of-the-art plant where safety is a priority, plant processes comply with all Safety and Environmental Regulations including the safe use of chemicals in our plant."

Tripoulos also said that Ultium Cells is committed to the active collective bargaining process and will work in good faith with the UAW to reach a competitive agreement that positions our employees and our Ohio battery cell manufacturing facility for success.