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Updated: UAW Dealt Major Blow After Defeat in Nissan Union Election


A few days ago, I pointed readers to a union election at a Nissan plant in Mississippi that was to occur at the end of last week.  The election, in which the United Auto Workers ("UAW") sought to represent a group of workers at the plant, was contentious with charges of unfair labor practices on the part of Nissan leading up to the election.  Of note, the UAW alleged that Nissan had illegally threatened workers with closure of the plant, loss of jobs, and other alleged threats in an effort to stymie unionization of the plant.

Late Friday, the results were announced and by a nearly two to one margin, the Nissan workers voted against union representation by the UAW.  The vote, 2,244 against unionization and only 1,307 in favor, was met with resound cheers by pro-employer groups.  Nissan issued a statement after the results were announced and stated "With this vote, the voice of Nissan employees has been heard.  They have rejected the UAW and chosen to self-represent, continuing the direct relationship they enjoy with the company."  Unsurprisingly, the UAW is asking the National Labor Relations Board ("NLRB") to step in and order a new election occur.  After the results were announced, the UAW filed seven unfair labor practice charges with the NLRB and alleged Nissan broke federal law in its anti-union campaign leading up to the election.

As several commentators have noted, this outcome has dealt a serious blow to the UAW's attempt to unionize auto plants in the south (a notoriously uphill fight for unions).  While the UAW has had success unionizing in the north, their prior attempt to unionize a Volkswagen plant in Tennessee proved unsuccessful.  That loss in Tennessee, coupled with 63% of workers at this Nissan plant rejecting unionization, puts the UAW at a crossroads:  With a steady trend downward in unionization across the country and an inability to break through in the south (which thus far has been an "untapped" resource for unions), what can be done to turn the page?  Short of the NLRB ordering a new election, the UAW will be faced with a stinging defeat and seemingly few realistic options going forward to win an election in the south.  It will be interesting to see if the UAW does anything to change its strategy going forward...


For additional information:  http://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/2017/08/05/uaw-defeat-nissan-mississippi-vote/542359001/

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