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United Auto Workers union drops lost vote appeal at VW Tennessee plant United Auto Workers union drops lost vote appeal at VW Tennessee plant
(4 months later)
The United Auto Workers (UAW) union on Monday withdrew its appeal over a lost union vote at a Volkswagen (VW) plant in Tennessee blaming “unprecedented political interference”.The United Auto Workers (UAW) union on Monday withdrew its appeal over a lost union vote at a Volkswagen (VW) plant in Tennessee blaming “unprecedented political interference”.
In February the UAW lost a hard-fought battle to unionise a Tennessee assembly plant. The 712-626 vote became a lightning rod for anti-union activists and Republican politicians who want to stop unions building their membership in the southern manufacturing states.In February the UAW lost a hard-fought battle to unionise a Tennessee assembly plant. The 712-626 vote became a lightning rod for anti-union activists and Republican politicians who want to stop unions building their membership in the southern manufacturing states.
In a statement on Monday, the UAW said its decision to drop its appeal to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) was “in the best interests of Volkswagen employees, the automaker, and economic development in Chattanooga,” Tennessee.In a statement on Monday, the UAW said its decision to drop its appeal to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) was “in the best interests of Volkswagen employees, the automaker, and economic development in Chattanooga,” Tennessee.
UAW president Bob King said the NLRB’s “historically dysfunctional and complex process” could drag have dragged on for months or even years. King said the UAW would instead focus on a congressional investigation into an anti-unionisation campaign.UAW president Bob King said the NLRB’s “historically dysfunctional and complex process” could drag have dragged on for months or even years. King said the UAW would instead focus on a congressional investigation into an anti-unionisation campaign.
The UAW launched its appeal after conservative activists such as Grover Norquist and the Koch brothers supported a well funded campaign against the union. Republican senator Bob Corker of Tennessee claimed VW would award the plant another vehicle if the vote was rejected, a move the car company denied.The UAW launched its appeal after conservative activists such as Grover Norquist and the Koch brothers supported a well funded campaign against the union. Republican senator Bob Corker of Tennessee claimed VW would award the plant another vehicle if the vote was rejected, a move the car company denied.
Documents also show the state of Tennessee offered a $300m incentive package to bring a new SUV to the Chattanooga plant but attempted to tie that money to a vote against union recognition.Documents also show the state of Tennessee offered a $300m incentive package to bring a new SUV to the Chattanooga plant but attempted to tie that money to a vote against union recognition.
Last week, Tennessee governor Bill Haslam and other officials sought to block subpoenas brought by the union in the NLRB review. At the same time Democrats on the US House committee on education and the workforce opened an inquiry into the incentives package.Last week, Tennessee governor Bill Haslam and other officials sought to block subpoenas brought by the union in the NLRB review. At the same time Democrats on the US House committee on education and the workforce opened an inquiry into the incentives package.
“The unprecedented political interference by governor Haslam, senator Corker and others was a distraction for Volkswagen employees and a detour from achieving Tennessee’s economic priorities,” King said. “The UAW is ready to put February’s tainted election in the rearview mirror and instead focus on advocating for new jobs and economic investment in Chattanooga.” “The unprecedented political interference by governor Haslam, senator Corker and others was a distraction for Volkswagen employees and a detour from achieving Tennessee’s economic priorities,” King said. “The UAW is ready to put February’s tainted election in the rearview mirror and instead focus on advocating for new jobs and economic investment in Chattanooga.”
House committee members George Miller of California and John Tierney of Massachusetts sent a letter to Haslam last week asking for documents relating to the incentives package.House committee members George Miller of California and John Tierney of Massachusetts sent a letter to Haslam last week asking for documents relating to the incentives package.
“Our request is part of an inquiry to understand the extent to which the activities of Tennessee state officials may have undermined, or attempted to undermine, federal rights guaranteed to workers in Chattanooga,” the letter said.“Our request is part of an inquiry to understand the extent to which the activities of Tennessee state officials may have undermined, or attempted to undermine, federal rights guaranteed to workers in Chattanooga,” the letter said.
King said the UAW would ask the congressional inquiry to examine the use of federal funds in the state’s alleged incentives threat. “Frankly, Congress is a more effective venue for publicly examining the now well-documented threat,” King said.King said the UAW would ask the congressional inquiry to examine the use of federal funds in the state’s alleged incentives threat. “Frankly, Congress is a more effective venue for publicly examining the now well-documented threat,” King said.