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Volkswagen Workers In Tennessee Vote To Join UAW
https://www.whatjobs.com/news/usa/us-employment-news/volkswagen-workers-in-tennessee-vote-to-join-uaw
By Nithya Bose in Business News, posted April 22, 2024
Volkswagen workers in Chattanooga, Tennessee, have voted to join the United Auto Workers.
This is a breakthrough for the union in organizing outside the traditional Detroit automakers.
According to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), which managed the voting process, 73 percent of voters, totaling 2,628 workers, favored the union.
The NLRB said of the 4,326 eligible VW employees, approximately 3,620 voted, representing about 84 percent participation.
UAW said: “In a historic victory, an overwhelming majority of Volkswagen workers in Chattanooga, Tennessee, have voted to join the UAW.
“While votes continue to be tallied, the outcome is clear: Volkswagen workers in Chattanooga are the first Southern autoworkers outside of the Big Three to win their union.”
The results still need NLRB certification.
However, Volkswagen is expected to engage in good-faith negotiations with the union, possibly involving mediation.
Following the election, both parties have a five-day period to raise any objections.
If none are raised, the NLRB will certify the vote.
“In a historic victory, an overwhelming majority of Volkswagen workers in Chattanooga, Tennessee, have voted to join the UAW"
The automaker said: “We will await certification of the results by the NLRB.
“Volkswagen thanks its Chattanooga workers for voting in this election.”
UAW now plans to organize at 13 US automakers.
This is after securing significant contract agreements with General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis last year.
President Joe Biden lauded the union's victory.
He linked it to a broader national trend of significant union wins and wage increases across various sectors.
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He said: “Across the country, union members have logged major wins and large raises, including auto workers, actors, port workers, Teamsters, writers, warehouse and health care workers, and more.
“Together, these union wins have helped raise wages and demonstrate once again that the middle-class built America and that unions are still building and expanding the middle class for all workers.”
UAW President Shawn Fain said this vote is a crucial opportunity for organizing the Chattanooga facility, especially following favorable outcomes from recent strikes and negotiations with Detroit-based automakers.
These agreements have led to wage increases, reinstated cost-of-living adjustments, and additional benefits.
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