BlueOval SK Workers Say They Weren’t Paid For Mandatory Pre-Shift Tasks

Case Overview: A class action lawsuit claims BlueOval SK failed to pay employees for required pre- and post-shift work, violating federal labor laws.

Consumers Affected: Hourly workers at BlueOval SK’s Glendale, Kentucky, plant.

Court: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

Electric vehicle battery maker BlueOval SK fails to pay workers for required tasks performed before and after their shifts at its $6 billion plant in Glendale, Kentucky, a new lawsuit claims. 

The lawsuit argues that employees were made to put on protective gear, walk long distances to their stations, and complete pre-shift duties before clocking in, all without compensation. 

Workers also allege that the company “rounded” or altered time records, shorting them of pay and overtime in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act, The News Enterprise reported.

Workers Say They Had To Gear Up And Walk Long Distances Without Pay

The case was filed by a LaRue County worker, Bobby McKnight, in late September in federal court in Michigan, where BlueOval SK is headquartered. Several employees have since joined the lawsuit, saying the company’s policies systematically denied them pay for hours worked. 

The Glendale plant, reportedly more than a mile long, requires workers to complete safety and maintenance checks before clocking in, according to the complaint. A second lawsuit filed later by former employees Sean O’Brien and Randall Moore raised similar concerns, adding that BlueOval SK illegally deducted meal breaks from paid time.

Lawsuit Claims BlueOval Altered Time Records And Deducted Breaks

BlueOval SK, a joint venture between Ford Motor Co. and South Korea’s SK On, began producing electric vehicle batteries in August for Ford’s F-150 Lightning pickup. 

Despite performing significant pre-shift work for the company, employees say they were only paid for scheduled hours, not for actual time worked. Because of that, they argue, overtime pay was routinely withheld.

Safety Hazards And Labor Tensions Add Pressure At The Kentucky Plant

The lawsuits come amid broader worker unrest at the Glendale facility, where employees have complained about mold contamination, bat infestations, and chemical exposure. 

State records and local reporting have documented dozens of workplace injuries and health concerns tied to hazardous materials. In May, a state citation confirmed at least one safety violation, and several other investigations remain ongoing.

Tensions between employees and management have also extended to labor organizing. Workers voted narrowly to join the United Auto Workers union this summer, citing unsafe conditions as a driving concern. But with several ballots contested, the election remains unresolved and under review by the National Labor Relations Board.

BlueOval Lawsuit Reflects A Wider Pattern Of Unpaid Labor Claims Nationwide

BlueOval’s wage dispute echoes a wave of lawsuits targeting major employers for allegedly shortchanging workers. 

Meatpacking giant Hormel Foods is being sued for withholding paid sick leave in violation of Minnesota’s new earned leave law. Amazon faces claims in California for not paying new hires for required training, and the Detroit Tigers are accused of underpaying overtime by excluding bonuses and shift premiums. 

Other large employers, including PNC Bank, Subway, and Citibank, are also fighting lawsuits over unpaid work and wage transparency violations.

McKnight’s lawsuit seeks to represent all current and former hourly employees at the Glendale plant who were required to gear up before or after shifts without pay. The workers are asking for a jury trial, back pay for unpaid hours, and compensation for lost overtime. 

Have you ever had to do work before clocking in or after clocking out? How did your employer handle it? Share your story in the comments.