Workers at a Volkswagen factory in Tennessee have voted against union representation in a devastating defeat for the United Auto Workers union’s effort to make inroads in the South. The 712-626 vote released late Friday was surprising for many labor experts and union supporters who expected a UAW win because Volkswagen tacitly endorsed the union and even allowed organizers into the Chattanooga factory to make sales pitches…….
Volkswagen Group of America – Press Release (excerpt)
Chattanooga, Tenn. (February 14, 2014) – Volkswagen Chattanooga employees have voted in a secret ballot election against United Auto Workers (UAW) representation. Participation in the election was 89 percent. 53 percent of the eligible employees who voted decided against the UAW as their bargaining representative in an election conducted by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) between February 12 – 14.
‘On behalf of Volkswagen Group of America, I want to thank all of our Chattanooga production and maintenance employees for their participation in this week’s vote. They have spoken, and Volkswagen will respect the decision of the majority,’ said Frank Fischer, CEO and Chairman of Volkswagen Chattanooga. ‘The election results remain to be certified by the NLRB,” Fischer, said…
Sour grapes and the pot calling the kettle black, UAW blames outside intervention.
‘…We commend Volkswagen for its commitment to global human rights, to worker rights and trying to provide an atmosphere of freedom to make a decision,’ said UAW Region 8 Director Gary Casteel, who directs the union’s Southern organizing. ‘Unfortunately, politically motivated third parties threatened the economic future of this facility and the opportunity for workers to create a successful operating model that that would grow jobs in Tennessee….’
LINKS:
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/02/15/workers-at-tennessee-volkswagen-factory-reject-united-auto-workers-union/
http://www.autoblog.com/2014/02/15/vw-chattanooga-workers-reject-uaw-union/
http://media.vw.com/release/686/
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