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Volkswagen Workers In Tennessee To Vote On UAW Membership
https://www.whatjobs.com/news/usa/us-employment-news/volkswagen-workers-in-tennessee-to-vote-on-uaw-membership
By Nithya Bose in Business News, posted April 17, 2024
Volkswagen employees in Chattanooga, Tennessee, are set to vote this week on whether to join the United Auto Workers.
This vote comes on the heels of the UAW’s big contract wins with Detroit's largest automakers earlier this year.
Securing a win at the Volkswagen plant would represent a major milestone for the UAW.
It would be the union’s first major triumph at a major automaker outside General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis.
More importantly, it could catalyze the union’s ambitious goal to organize workers at 13 automakers across the US.
The stakes are high, with more than 4,000 workers eligible to participate in the voting process.
The vote will run from today (Wednesday, April 17) through Friday (April 19) evening.
A simple majority is required for the unionization effort to succeed.
The National Labor Relations Board is overseeing the vote to ensure fairness.
UAW President Shawn Fain, who stepped into his role in 2023 following a federal corruption scandal involving previous union leaders, is under pressure.
Vote is test of Union leadership
This election represents a significant test of his leadership and the union's new direction.
A loss would be a setback, reminiscent of unsuccessful attempts to unionize at the same Volkswagen plant in 2014 and 2019.
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The UAW believes this attempt has better prospect.
This is because of recent successful contracts and strikes at Detroit automakers that elevated Fain’s status and showcased the union's strength.
Volkswagen has expressed neutrality, urging workers to vote for the type of workplace they desire and ensuring support for the democratic process.
An opposition group called“VW Chatt workers, for VW Chatt workers” has emerged, creating a website and campaigning against the unionization effort.
It cites concerns about potential adverse effects, including layoffs, if union-negotiated benefits are realized.
The broader campaign also targets other non-unionized automakers in the US.
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