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Volkswagen employees vote down UAW unionization bid in Chattanooga
Posted on 2/15/14 at 10:18 am
Posted on 2/15/14 at 10:18 am
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Just 87 votes at the Volkswagen plant in Tennessee separated the United Auto Workers union from what would have been its first successful organization of workers at a foreign automaker in the South.
Instead of celebrating a potential watershed moment for labor politics in the region, UAW supporters were left crestfallen by the 712-626 vote against union representation in the election that ended Friday night.
The result stunned many labor experts who expected a UAW win because Volkswagen tacitly endorsed the union and even allowed organizers into the Chattanooga factory to make sales pitches.
The loss is a major setback for the UAW's effort to make inroads in the growing South, where foreign automakers have 14 assembly plants, eight built in the past decade, said Kristin Dziczek, director of the labor and industry group at the Center for Automotive Research, an industry think tank in Michigan.
"If this was going to work anywhere, this is where it was going to work," she said of the Volkswagen vote.
Organizing a Southern plant is so crucial to the union that UAW President Bob King told workers in a speech that the union has no long-term future without it. The loss means the union remains largely quarantined with the Detroit Three in the Midwest and Northeast.
Many viewed VW as the union's best chance to gain a crucial foothold in the South because other automakers have not been as welcoming as Volkswagen. Labor interests make up half of the supervisory board at VW in Germany, and they questioned why the Chattanooga plant is the company's only major factory worldwide without formal worker representation.
VW wanted a German-style "works council" in Chattanooga to give employees a say over working conditions. The company says U.S. law won't allow it without an independent union.
In Chattanooga, the union faced stern opposition from Republican politicians who warned that a UAW victory would chase away other automakers who might come to the region.
Sen. Bob Corker of Tennessee was the most vocal opponent, saying that he was told that VW would soon announce plans to build a new SUV in Chattanooga if workers rejected the union. That was later denied by a VW executive, who said the union vote had no bearing on expansion decisions. Other state politicians threatened to cut off state incentives for the plant to expand if the union was approved.
After 53 percent of the workers voted against his union, King said he was outraged at what he called "outside interference" in the election. He wouldn't rule out challenging the outcome with the National Labor Relations Board.
and to you Yankee Unions:
Just 87 votes at the Volkswagen plant in Tennessee separated the United Auto Workers union from what would have been its first successful organization of workers at a foreign automaker in the South.
Instead of celebrating a potential watershed moment for labor politics in the region, UAW supporters were left crestfallen by the 712-626 vote against union representation in the election that ended Friday night.
The result stunned many labor experts who expected a UAW win because Volkswagen tacitly endorsed the union and even allowed organizers into the Chattanooga factory to make sales pitches.
The loss is a major setback for the UAW's effort to make inroads in the growing South, where foreign automakers have 14 assembly plants, eight built in the past decade, said Kristin Dziczek, director of the labor and industry group at the Center for Automotive Research, an industry think tank in Michigan.
"If this was going to work anywhere, this is where it was going to work," she said of the Volkswagen vote.
Organizing a Southern plant is so crucial to the union that UAW President Bob King told workers in a speech that the union has no long-term future without it. The loss means the union remains largely quarantined with the Detroit Three in the Midwest and Northeast.
Many viewed VW as the union's best chance to gain a crucial foothold in the South because other automakers have not been as welcoming as Volkswagen. Labor interests make up half of the supervisory board at VW in Germany, and they questioned why the Chattanooga plant is the company's only major factory worldwide without formal worker representation.
VW wanted a German-style "works council" in Chattanooga to give employees a say over working conditions. The company says U.S. law won't allow it without an independent union.
In Chattanooga, the union faced stern opposition from Republican politicians who warned that a UAW victory would chase away other automakers who might come to the region.
Sen. Bob Corker of Tennessee was the most vocal opponent, saying that he was told that VW would soon announce plans to build a new SUV in Chattanooga if workers rejected the union. That was later denied by a VW executive, who said the union vote had no bearing on expansion decisions. Other state politicians threatened to cut off state incentives for the plant to expand if the union was approved.
After 53 percent of the workers voted against his union, King said he was outraged at what he called "outside interference" in the election. He wouldn't rule out challenging the outcome with the National Labor Relations Board.
and to you Yankee Unions:
7
Posted on 2/15/14 at 10:25 am to East Coast Band
Posted on 2/15/14 at 10:28 am to East Coast Band
Really odd situation with VW working so closely with UAW in the lead up to the vote.
Saw that some voted against it because the UAW supports Democrats, which made me laugh.
Saw that some voted against it because the UAW supports Democrats, which made me laugh.
Posted on 2/15/14 at 10:30 am to The Spleen
quote:
Saw that some voted against it because the UAW supports Democrats, which made me laugh.
Seems like a good reason
Posted on 2/15/14 at 10:30 am to East Coast Band
frick the unions. They're the reason that U.S. automakers are kicking out a shitty product at a higher price than their foreign counterparts. GM and Chrysler are dead to me. Ford isn't necessarily dead to me, but their products still, except the Mustang, still can't compete with Toyota.
Posted on 2/15/14 at 10:37 am to RTR America
quote:
Seems like a good reason
Seems dumb to me to put your personal interests second to what a certain group politically believes, but that's just me. I'm not crazy about the UAW, but rest assured if I was an hourly worker in an auto factory I'd want to be unionized.
Posted on 2/15/14 at 10:38 am to The Spleen
quote:
but rest assured if I was an hourly worker in an auto factory I'd want to be unionized.
why?
Posted on 2/15/14 at 10:40 am to The Spleen
quote:
Seems dumb to me to put your personal interests second to what a certain group politically believes, but that's just me.
It is far more than a belief. Labor Unions make up 6 of the top 10 biggest political donors in the country. All of which go to democrats. If I didn't agree with them politically why would I want them spending my money to support those idiots.
quote:
rest assured if I was an hourly worker in an auto factory I'd want to be unionized.
30 years ago, sure. Now there is no point to them.This post was edited on 2/15/14 at 10:41 am
Posted on 2/15/14 at 10:42 am to The Spleen
quote:
rest assured if I was an hourly worker in an auto factory I'd want to be unionized.
So that your union could drive your job back overseas? Makes sense.
Posted on 2/15/14 at 10:43 am to diddydirtyAubie
quote:
why?
Keep management in check.
Posted on 2/15/14 at 10:43 am to The Spleen
quote:
but rest assured if I was an hourly worker in an auto factory I'd want to be unionized.
or have my plant shut down and relocated to Mexico.
Posted on 2/15/14 at 10:43 am to The Spleen
quote:
Keep management in check.
L O frickING L
Posted on 2/15/14 at 10:50 am to RTR America
quote:
It is far more than a belief. Labor Unions make up 6 of the top 10 biggest political donors in the country. All of which go to democrats. If I didn't agree with them politically why would I want them spending my money to support those idiots.
Because they'd work for you to earn higher wages, more job security, better work environment, etc. You'd more directly benefit from them as a representative of you than who they politically support.
This may surprise you, but I'm sure a lot of businesses you support and spend money with support Democrats.
quote:
30 years ago, sure. Now there is no point to them.
Somewhat agree, and disagree. It's no coincidence that the middle class has been shrinking since Reagan began his assault on unions in the early 80's. Now, I do admit the unions helped create an environment where that assault could be justified. I still think there's a need for them, but I agree maybe not in the form they had become 30 years ago.
Posted on 2/15/14 at 10:54 am to Tantal
quote:
frick the unions. They're the reason that U.S. automakers are kicking out a shitty product at a higher price than their foreign counterparts. GM and Chrysler are dead to me. Ford isn't necessarily dead to me, but their products still, except the Mustang, still can't compete with Toyota.
Have you checked out the new Taurus, 300, or Impala? I'd take any of those over a Camry now. That's just sedans though. Although I'll also take our F250 over any truck Toyota makes all day every day.
Disclaimer: I am in no way defending the unions in my above statement.
Posted on 2/15/14 at 10:57 am to UMTigerRebel
I drive a ford truck and love it but I'd trade it for a tundra with no qualms.
A recent study from used car dealerships said that Toyota and Lexus held the highest resale value ($$$ and quality) than any other cars. Something like 8 out 10 if the best resalers were Toyota\Lexus
A recent study from used car dealerships said that Toyota and Lexus held the highest resale value ($$$ and quality) than any other cars. Something like 8 out 10 if the best resalers were Toyota\Lexus
Posted on 2/15/14 at 10:58 am to The Spleen
There probably is not a more corrupt organization than a union.
Other unions around the world will work with companies for employee safety, productivity, and profitability.
Unions here garner their monies from employee dues, thus are only interested in providing "benefits " to the employee, without concern of the company, which is the thing actually producing the profit.
This is in line with many politicians who like to buy your votes with "benefits ", such as welfare, without concern for the country.
Other unions around the world will work with companies for employee safety, productivity, and profitability.
Unions here garner their monies from employee dues, thus are only interested in providing "benefits " to the employee, without concern of the company, which is the thing actually producing the profit.
This is in line with many politicians who like to buy your votes with "benefits ", such as welfare, without concern for the country.
Posted on 2/15/14 at 10:59 am to Tantal
Chrysler still sucks, but GM has completely remade itself since the bailout. Caddy has benefited greatly with the CTS and now ATS.
That new Mustang looks absolutely turrible.
That new Mustang looks absolutely turrible.
Posted on 2/15/14 at 11:01 am to 3nOut
That's been the case the last 10 years.
Which is funny to me, since my mom need to pay 3 grand to fix her engine at 150,000 miles.
Which is funny to me, since my mom need to pay 3 grand to fix her engine at 150,000 miles.
Posted on 2/15/14 at 11:01 am to UMTigerRebel
quote:
Have you checked out the new Taurus, 300, or Impala? I'd take any of those over a Camry now. That's just sedans though. Although I'll also take our F250 over any truck Toyota makes all day every day.
Posted on 2/15/14 at 11:02 am to 3nOut
quote:
I drive a ford truck and love it but I'd trade it for a tundra with no qualms.
A Tundra couldn't bear the amount of weight we pull. Also, the 2014 250 gets great fuel mileage.
And I know Toyota's have been great for resale, but American auto makers are upping their game now. The husband works for the company who puts more used cars in the market than anyone, so I get to hear about it.
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