United Auto Workers at the Ultium battery plant in Spring Hill, Tennessee ratified their first local agreement with the joint venture of General Motors and LG Energy Solution.

The vote, involving nearly 1,000 workers OF UAW Local 1853, follows the national contract that Ultium workers joined after the 2023 Stand Up Strike.

Workers at the Spring Hill plant signed union authorization cards in September and began a contract campaign.

Union leaders said the agreement provides job security and addresses medical concerns, noting that health care costs are now covered, similar to General Motors workers.

UAW Region 8 Director Tim Smith said the agreement establishes standards for workers in the electric vehicle battery industry.

The UAW said more than 5,000 Tennessee autoworkers have joined the union in the past year.

In June of last year, 1,600 UAW Local 1112 members at the Ultium plant in Lordstown reached a tentative local agreement addressing wages, health and safety.