For decades, the southern United States has been an attractive destination for foreign automakers due to tax breaks and the availability of non-union labor. However, the United Auto Workers (UAW) achieved a significant victory by winning a landslide union vote at Volkswagen’s plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The UAW’s victory challenges the traditional view of the South as being resistant to unionization, potentially paving the way for more union drives at foreign auto plants in the region. The UAW’s momentum may influence other industries as well, with organizing efforts underway at 13 different car manufacturers, including American EV makers like Tesla.
Despite the historic win at Volkswagen, the South’s history of anti-union sentiment poses challenges for the UAW and other labor organizations. Political leaders in Southern states have actively opposed unions, viewing them as an existential threat to their economic model of low wages and limited worker voice. The South’s “right to work” laws further undermine unions by allowing workers to opt out of paying fees, reducing the unions’ financial resources for bargaining. While the UAW’s victory may signal a shift in the South’s attitude towards unions, significant political backlash is expected from leaders like South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster and Alabama Governor Kay Ivey.
The auto industry, traditionally centered in Detroit and other northern cities, has shifted to the South in recent decades, with foreign automakers establishing manufacturing plants in states like Tennessee, South Carolina, and Alabama. The South’s share of auto jobs has doubled since 1990, and the region is now a hub for electric vehicle production. Democrats are traditionally aligned with labor unions, posing a challenge for unionizing efforts in the South where conservative politics dominate. Despite these obstacles, labor advocates believe that the UAW’s victory at Volkswagen could energize workers and spur renewed efforts to revitalize labor in the region.
Southern states have used tax breaks and other incentives to attract auto investments, contingent on companies remaining union-free. Political leaders like Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley have actively discouraged unionization efforts, with some states threatening to cut off subsidies to companies that recognize unions voluntarily. The ties between unions and the Democratic party further complicate organizing efforts in the South, as some workers oppose unions based on political affiliations. However, the UAW’s success at Volkswagen demonstrates that political obstacles may not be insurmountable when it comes to organizing workers in the South.
The UAW’s win at Volkswagen is seen as a potential turning point for unionization efforts in the South, with labor experts predicting a ripple effect across industries and states. While the region’s history of anti-union sentiment remains a challenge, the UAW’s victory may inspire other states to pass measures to deter union efforts while also energizing workers to advocate for their rights. Labor advocates emphasize the need for unions to invest in organizing efforts in the South and challenge the view of the region as impenetrable to labor movements. The UAW’s success at Volkswagen marks a significant milestone in the long-standing battle for unionization in the South.
