Workers at a Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, voted overwhelmingly to join the United Auto Workers, marking the first time Southern autoworkers outside of the Big Three have done so in a region that has traditionally been resistant to unionization. The UAW declared victory with a count of 2,628 in favor of union representation and 985 opposed. The National Labor Relations Board confirmed the results, and President Biden congratulated the workers on their historic vote. The company, Volkswagen, acknowledged the workers’ decision and will await certification of the results by the NLRB.
As the final ballots were cast, expectations were high that the UAW would prevail after two failed attempts in the past. About 70% of the plant’s workers had pledged to vote in favor of unionization, leading to the confidence of a successful outcome. Issues such as job safety and healthcare costs were key factors for workers in deciding to join the union. The UAW had set its sights on organizing foreign automakers following a successful strike against the Big Three that resulted in significant wage gains. The win at Volkswagen gives the union a foothold in the region, where organizing efforts have previously been met with resistance.
The UAW’s victory at the Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga is significant as it marks the union’s first successful attempt at organizing foreign automakers in the South. The vote was the third attempt at the plant, following unsuccessful votes in 2014 and 2019. This win opens the door for potential organizing efforts at other plants in the region, including an upcoming election at a Mercedes plant in Alabama. Despite opposition from political and business establishments in the region, the union was able to secure a key victory.
The Volkswagen factory in Chattanooga is now the only unionized foreign commercial carmaker in the U.S. and the first auto plant to join the UAW since the union targeted the Big Three automakers in Detroit. The victory comes on the heels of successful gains made during negotiations with the Big Three automakers, boosting interest in the UAW among non-union automakers. The Chattanooga plant is the only Volkswagen facility globally without some form of employee representation, making this vote a significant milestone for the company.
The UAW’s success at Volkswagen Chattanooga is seen as a pivotal moment for organized labor in the South. With the potential for future organizing efforts at other plants in the region, the union now has a stronger presence in an area where it has faced challenges in the past. The support from workers, as well as recent gains in the automotive industry, have fueled interest in joining the union. As Volkswagen awaits the certification of the results, the move towards union representation at the plant represents a step towards improved job conditions and worker rights for employees in the region.
