In July, media reports said there were underage workers, including a 12-year-old child, at a metal stamping plant in Luverne, Alabama, called SMART Alabama, which supplies Hyundai Motors. business.
The UAW said on Oct. 21 that Hyundai’s actions to cut ties with certain suppliers “could result in hundreds of workers losing their jobs without the company doing anything to address systemic problems.” The union called for Modern to “improve the working conditions of American workers.”
Hyundai said the company will not tolerate illegal employment in any entity. “Our investigation is still ongoing and we are cooperating with the authorities on this matter.” The White House had no immediate comment.
The UAW has previously feuded with Hyundai, and the group has tried unsuccessfully to unionize at Hyundai’s Alabama plant and other foreign-owned auto plants.
On October 18, Hyundai Group announced that it will break ground on an electric vehicle and battery plant it plans to build in Georgia, with an investment of $5.5 billion. Biden administration officials are expected to attend the groundbreaking ceremony. The new plant is expected to start mass production in the first half of 2025, with an annual production capacity of 300,000 vehicles.
Hyundai is also lobbying the Biden administration to amend a law passed in August that would prevent electric vehicles built outside of North America from getting a consumer tax credit of up to $7,500 qualifications. The law would prevent all modern electric vehicles currently sold in the U.S. from being eligible for the discount.