Volkswagen workers in Chattanooga, Tennessee, have voted to join the United Auto Workers in a historic victory for the union, marking its first successful organizing drive of an automaker outside of Detroit’s Big Three. The vote passed with 73% in support of the UAW, with approximately 84% of eligible VW workers participating in the election. The National Labor Relations Board still must certify the result, but the company is required to bargain in good faith with the union if no objections are filed within five business days. UAW leaders plan to use this win as a launching point for their ambitious organizing campaign of 13 automakers in the U.S. following major contract wins with GM, Ford, and Stellantis last year.
President Joe Biden congratulated the UAW on its “historic vote,” emphasizing the importance of unions in raising wages and building the middle class for all workers. UAW President Shawn Fain called this week’s vote the union’s best shot at organizing the VW plant following successful strikes and record contracts at Detroit automakers. The successful organizing drive comes amid opposition from six Republican governors of Southern states, who expressed concern that unionization could jeopardize jobs in the automotive manufacturing industry. The UAW previously failed to organize the Volkswagen plant in 2014 and 2019 due to political pressure and worker opposition.
The UAW will now focus on negotiations with VW and anticipate an organizing vote of Mercedes-Benz workers at an SUV plant in Alabama. Workers at the facility filed NLRB paperwork for a formal election to join the UAW, with the vote scheduled from May 13 to May 17. Fain encouraged workers to believe in the possibility of positive change and better conditions, emphasizing that they are worth fighting for. The union aims to expand beyond the Big Three automakers and grow to include the “Big Five or Big Six” by the time its current contracts with Detroit automakers expire in 2028. Volkswagen confirmed the UAW’s win but offered minimal additional comment, stating that they are awaiting certification of the results by the NLRB.
The successful VW organizing drive signifies a significant milestone for the UAW and sets a precedent for future organizing efforts at automakers across the country. The union’s ambition to expand its reach beyond traditional automakers and into new territories reflects its commitment to representing the interests of workers and raising standards across the industry. The vote in Chattanooga represents a victory for organized labor in the face of challenges and opposition, demonstrating the resilience and determination of workers to fight for their rights and improve their working conditions. As the union continues its efforts to grow and strengthen its membership, it remains dedicated to advocating for fair wages, benefits, and working conditions for all workers in the automotive sector and beyond.
