Workers at a Corning solar manufacturing plant in Hemlock, Michigan, voted on September 1 to join the United Steelworkers (USW). The tally was 560 votes in favor and 512 against. This vote marks the largest successful union drive in a U.S. manufacturing facility since the United Auto Workers organized a Volkswagen assembly plant in Tennessee in 2024.
What it means
The unionization expands USW representation at Corning to 4,400 workers across facilities in New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, Kentucky, Virginia, and Michigan. The Hemlock site operates a solar plant that received $325 million in federal funding in January 2025. Located across the street from Corning’s semiconductor facility, which employs more than 1,000 workers, the solar plant is one of only two U.S. sites producing solar-grade polysilicon. This domestic production insulates Corning from the 15 percent tariffs imposed by the Trump administration in August on imported products made with polysilicon.
The organizing drive began in March after an accident in the pulling department injured nine workers. Workers cited issues including strict daily quotas, frequent machine breakdowns, and sudden shift changes known as “hard flops.” Management had recently changed profit-sharing benefits to a quarterly-based “goal sharing” model, which reduced the benefit. Glen Dowdy stated that management refused to provide employees with a handbook of policies. Under Michigan’s Earned Sick Time Act, private sector workers earn one hour of sick leave for every 30 hours worked and can use up to 72 hours annually; however, Corning forced workers to use sick leave in increments of six or 12 hours. Nakisha West, a wirecutter who voted yes, cited “fairness and accountability” as her reason. Workers at the Hemlock plant generally start at $20 an hour, while USW members at Corning facilities in New York earn several dollars more per hour.
Key facts
- Vote date: September 1
- Vote result: 560 in favor, 512 against
- Union: United Steelworkers (USW)
- Federal funding: $325 million received in January 2025
- Location: Hemlock, Michigan
- Workforce impact: Adds to 4,400 USW-represented Corning workers nationwide
- Production role: One of two U.S. plants producing solar-grade polysilicon
- Tariff status: Insulated from August 15 percent tariffs on imported polysilicon products
Source: Union vote results and company records