Employees at Volkswagen’s SUV assembly plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, have voted to join the United Auto Workers (UAW) in a historic labor victory, with workers favoring union representation by a count of 2,628 to 985. This nearly 3-1 margin is a significant win for the union, giving them a crucial presence in the anti-union South. With more than 4,000 workers at the facility set to be represented by the UAW, this victory marks a historic breakthrough for the union, which has traditionally had most of its auto membership at the “Big Three” – Ford, General Motors, and Jeep parent company Stellantis.
This victory is particularly significant as the UAW had previously lost two plant-wide votes at Volkswagen, including one in 2019 where they fell short by just 57 votes. The UAW’s success at Volkswagen is seen as a positive sign for the union’s efforts to organize foreign-owned auto plants in the South. With plans to unionize more plants in Southern states, such as Mercedes-Benz and Hyundai facilities in Alabama, the UAW is aiming to increase its influence in the region. This victory also has implications for the industry as a whole, potentially leading to higher wages and better working conditions for autoworkers in non-union facilities.
Many Volkswagen workers supported the organizing effort due to the grueling work pace in the factory and hoped a union contract could improve their amount of paid time off, boost pay rates, and provide recourse against disciplinary actions from supervisors. Volkswagen, on the other hand, defended its wages and safety record, stating that it offers competitive wages and maintaining a better safety record than the industry at large. Despite efforts from some Republican politicians urging workers to reject the union, the UAW’s successful contracts with other automakers contributed to the support for unionization at Volkswagen.
President Joe Biden congratulated the workers and the UAW on their victory, criticizing several Republican governors for their opposition to the unionization effort. Workers at Volkswagen felt less fearful of losing their jobs by organizing this time, as the plant has been a significant investment for both Volkswagen and Tennessee since its opening in 2011. The momentum and support for unionization at the Chattanooga plant reflect a shifting attitude towards unions in the South, with workers feeling more empowered to use their voice and exercise their legal right to form a union.
