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Chattanooga, Tennessee Volkswagen Workers Reject Union (Again)


Late last week, another union election was held at a Chattanooga, Tennessee Volkswagen plant in which workers voted 833 - 776 against unionizing after a three day election.  

For those unaware, this Volkswagen plant has been at the center stage of an ongoing unionization effort that has stretched out over the past few years.  (A 2014 election came close as well but ultimately failed.)  There has long been a simmering battle by the United Automobile Workers (the union that sought to represent workers at the plant) and those on the pro-employer side which have fought unionization efforts.  For labor leaders, they have viewed expanding into the south as paramount and have seen unionizing the Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga as the linchpin to starting that movement.  Of note, labor leaders have argued that a union is necessary to better advocate for the rights of workers in the south and fight for better wages and working conditions.

However, there has been fierce resistance to unionization of the Volkswagen plant.  In fact, Republican Governor Bill Lee spoke out in April and urged workers at the plant not to unionize, saying "Based on my personal experience of working with hundreds of skilled trades people over 35 years, when I have a direct relationship with you, the worker, and you're working for me, that is when the environment works best."  As well, a Republican State Representative said that a decision to unionize could threaten tens of millions of dollars in future state incentives for Volkswagen.  Politicians in the state were not the only ones making their opposition to the union known.  Some anti-union workers at the plant stated they did not need the United Automobile Workers ("UAW") to speak for them when the workers already had a voice at the plant.

At this point, the National Labor Relations Board still must certify the results.  After that occurs, any legal challenges could be made to the results of the election.  Whether that will result in any change is impossible to say for now.  However, for the time being, last week's vote certainly provides further evidence that in certain parts of the country, union resistance remains strong.


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