(5/3/2019) - Flint's newest auto parts manufacturing facility is joining the largest union representing Mid-Michigan workers.

Nearly 600 employees of the Lear Automotive plant on the former Buick City site voted Thursday to unionize with the United Auto Workers. The union is looking forward to begin negotiating a contract on behalf of the workers.

“We are thrilled to bring Lear’s exceptional workers into the UAW family, and are excited about the prospect of new jobs available in Flint,” said UAW President Gary Jones.

The Lear workers will join UAW Local 659 in Flint. The new union members officially joined the UAW Thursday morning with a special ceremony hosted by Genesee County Sheriff Robert Pickell.

The 156,000-square-foot Lear plant, which opened in August, makes front and rear seats for pickup trucks assembled at General Motors Flint Assembly plant.

It also makes center console seats for GM vehicles produced in Fort Wayne, Indiana.