Volkswagen Workers in Tennessee Vote to Join United Auto Workers
The recent vote by Volkswagen (VW) workers in Tennessee to join the United Auto Workers (UAW) has sent shockwaves throughout the industry. This victory marks a significant milestone for the UAW as it expands its reach beyond its traditional base in Detroit and makes inroads into the U.S. South and West. With 73% of eligible workers voting in favor of the union, this move represents a seismic shift in the traditionally anti-union sentiment that has permeated southern auto plants for decades.
The Chattanooga factory, commonly known as VW’s Tennessee plant, will now become the first auto plant in the South to unionize via election since the 1940s. Additionally, it will be the first foreign-owned auto plant in the South to do so. The implications of this victory extend far beyond VW’s Chattanooga factory. UAW President Shawn Fain has been leading a campaign to unionize plants owned by more than a dozen automakers across the U.S., including Tesla. The $40 million commitment from Fain and his team demonstrates their dedication to this cause and highlights the significance of the victory in Tennessee.
The announcement of the results brought forth pure jubilation from the workers. Many were moved to tears and celebrated by raising their arms in victory while holding “Union Yes” posters. Lisa Elliott, a VW employee, expressed her exhilaration, stating, “I’m exhilarated that we actually accomplished what we set out to accomplish.” She added, “Tell Mercedes they’re next,” indicating that the momentum from this victory is expected to carry over to other plants.
Indeed, the next facility set to hold a UAW election is a Mercedes plant in Alabama. A majority of workers there have already signed cards indicating their support for unionization. Although the UAW narrowly lost votes at the same plant in 2014 and 2019, the recent surging public support for unions and the successful contract negotiations with the Big Three automakers last year have created a more favorable environment for the UAW. As Harley Shaiken, a labor professor at the University of California, Berkeley, points out, “The margin is overwhelming. This is a historic moment.”
VW took a neutral position on the vote at its non-union factory in Tennessee, but this victory signifies a turning point. The UAW had previously represented VW workers at a Pennsylvania plant that produced Rabbit cars back in the day. However, the southern auto plants have long resisted unionization due to deep-rooted anti-union sentiment. Just this week, Republican governors from six southern states, including Tennessee, voiced their opposition to the union drive. Nevertheless, labor movements across various industries are experiencing a renaissance, as demonstrated by the record number of workers going on strike last year.
Even U.S. President Joe Biden has publicly supported the labor movement. Last fall, he walked picket lines outside Detroit and witnessed the UAW’s success in securing double-digit percentage raises and cost-of-living increases from General Motors, Ford Motor, and Stellantis. This victory prompted non-union automakers to offer similar wage hikes to prevent their workforce from considering unionization. In response to the Republican governors’ opposition to the union drive, Biden stated, “I will continue to stand with American workers and stand against Republicans’ efforts to weaken workers’ voices.”
The UAW’s success doesn’t end with the VW plant in Tennessee. The union has shared that over 30% of employees at a Hyundai plant in Alabama and a Missouri Toyota auto parts factory have signed cards indicating their desire to join the UAW. Pro-union workers at the VW plant campaigned for improved safety on the job, better work-life balance, and enhanced benefits. The official unionization brings relief to employees like Robert Crump, who has worked at VW for 12 years. He expressed his relief, saying, “Now that it’s official, I can relax. It’s a really good feeling.”
In conclusion, the vote by Volkswagen workers in Tennessee to join the United Auto Workers represents not only a historic moment but also a significant milestone in the UAW’s campaign to unionize plants across the U.S. This victory opens the door for further unionization efforts at other auto plants, including the upcoming UAW election at a Mercedes plant in Alabama. The success of this movement reflects a growing sentiment and support for unions among workers and highlights the changing landscape of labor movements in the country. With President Biden’s vocal backing and the commitment of union leaders like Shawn Fain, the UAW is poised to reshape the labor landscape in the automotive industry and beyond.