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  • Tenn. Volkswagen Vote Major Setback for UAW

    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.

    "It's never happened in this country before that the U.S. senator, the governor, the leader of the House, the legislature here, threatened the company with no incentives, threatened workers with a loss of product," King said. "We'll look at all our options in the next few days."

    The union could contend that Corker and other local politicians were in collusion with VW and tried to frighten workers into thinking the SUV would be built in Mexico if they voted for the union, said Gary Chaison, a labor relations professor at Clark University in Worcester, Mass.

    But Chaison said it will be difficult to tie the politicians to the company, which remained neutral throughout the voting process.

    "It's the employer that has real power," he said.

    The loss put a spotlight on the union's major difficulty in the South: signing up people who have no history with organized labor and are fearful of being the first in the area to join, Chaison said.

    Dziczek said the union may have to change its tactics in future organizing efforts, because King's strategy of the union and company working together to help each other did not work.

    Republican Gov. Bill Haslam said through a spokesman that he was pleased with the vote and "looks forward to working with the company on future growth in Tennessee."

    Corker echoed that sentiment in a release issued after the vote.

    "Needless to say, I am thrilled for the employees at Volkswagen and for our community and its future," he said.
    Tenn. Volkswagen Vote Major Setback for UAW

  • #2
    The UAW has really screwed up the automobile industry up North, now they want to do it in the South. Unions are out-dated and need to disappear. We have Federal laws now that protect workers.

    Workers at this Tennessee plant already have an above-average starting wage, and a good relationship with their company, why pay a middle man?

    I say the UAW is getting desperate. What do you think?

    Comment


    • #3
      Originally posted by Julie View Post
      The UAW has really screwed up the automobile industry up North, now they want to do it in the South. Unions are out-dated and need to disappear. We have Federal laws now that protect workers.

      Workers at this Tennessee plant already have an above-average starting wage, and a good relationship with their company, why pay a middle man?

      I say the UAW is getting desperate. What do you think?
      We know how quickly federal laws can change due to outside interests i.e. lobbying and corporate America has all the money. It all depends on who controls congress and the White house. UAW is only one of hundreds if not thousands of unions across the country. They are all run differently so to point to one and put the guilt on all is not honest. When their work goes to the South of course the UAW are going to follow. UAW had/has many faults but when you look at the big picture they had a lot of help with the demise of the auto industry in the North. The high paying UAW jobs propped up areas like Detroit for decades even though it was a shit hole all those years. If you want to talk desperate you don't have to look any farther than Corker with his lies and intimidation tactics before and during the vote.



      Why pay the middle man? My dues gave me access to the best trade training available. In wages alone I got back 5X what I paid in dues. I also got healthcare and a damned good retirement. Education for upgrading my skills is dirt cheap. I would never have gotten TABB certified otherwise. My next goal is getting a total building energy audit cert. I am being taught by leaders in the industry who are willing to work around my schedule. It is nice to know someone has my back when I have a beef with the company. I am getting one hell of a return on my dues. Lastly I get a say in how each and every penny of my dues are spent.
      Removing a single turd from the cesspool doesn't make any difference.

      Comment


      • #4
        Good for you bonehead. I am really glad it worked out for you. However, so I am told that some things aren't the same for one than another geographically.

        It is common knowledge that the South has long been the most anti-union region, and we have our reasons for it. ``The Southern worker is an impatient figure when it comes to paying dues to a union, wants to see swift and spectacular results, and is likely to fall away if he doesn't get them,'' wrote journalist Wilbur Cash in a 1941 book called ``The Mind of the South.''

        We also have right-to-work laws, which give workers the privilege of not joining the union even if the company is organized. Once a union gets their claws into your state, they are never happy. Then they want to make it mandatory for every worker to have to pay dues and join the union. Southerners take great pride in having that choice.

        This particular plant in Tennessee, has average above-wage salary at $19.50 an hour, benefits, and that is above-par pay for cost of living in the South. The only reason workers at that plant entertained a union was to have a work counsel and by law the company has to be unionized to have a work counsel.

        Corker was not telling lies, he was stating the truth, as ugly as it may seem to some people, and I respect his honesty. You take care of your own here, you don't pay somebody to come in and do it for you.

        Comment


        • #5
          i don't get it. if Corker was "not telling lies", then was the VW executive telling lies about VW's own economic decisions/policy? VW -wanted- an union at the plant. that's what makes this case so distinctive.
          There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and there has always been. The strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that "My ignorance is just as good as your knowledge."- Isaac Asimov

          Comment


          • #6
            Originally posted by Julie View Post
            Good for you bonehead. I am really glad it worked out for you. However, so I am told that some things aren't the same for one than another geographically.

            It is common knowledge that the South has long been the most anti-union region, and we have our reasons for it. ``The Southern worker is an impatient figure when it comes to paying dues to a union, wants to see swift and spectacular results, and is likely to fall away if he doesn't get them,'' wrote journalist Wilbur Cash in a 1941 book called ``The Mind of the South.''

            We also have right-to-work laws, which give workers the privilege of not joining the union even if the company is organized. Once a union gets their claws into your state, they are never happy. Then they want to make it mandatory for every worker to have to pay dues and join the union. Southerners take great pride in having that choice.

            This particular plant in Tennessee, has average above-wage salary at $19.50 an hour, benefits, and that is above-par pay for cost of living in the South. The only reason workers at that plant entertained a union was to have a work counsel and by law the company has to be unionized to have a work counsel.

            Corker was not telling lies, he was stating the truth, as ugly as it may seem to some people, and I respect his honesty. You take care of your own here, you don't pay somebody to come in and do it for you.
            The southern perception is not entirely correct. Even in a heavily unionized state one can choose to work for non union companies and thus not pay dues but they are cutting their pay and benefits even more. They do have that choice. The only exception I know of would be public unions. In my trade dues are about 50.00 a week when you are working but your paycheck is about 300.00 more a week (straight 40 hours) than those who chose not to join a union and pay dues. That is typical across the board for construction trades.

            Corker did lie. He said that the vote will make or break VW's plans on bringing another line in. VW called him out as a liar and whats worse is that he said it during the vote to sway votes. You do have to wonder that if the company is ambivalent about having a union why someone like Corker was so active against it. As a U.S. senator, it really was not his business. Still the voters opted not to join and their vote should be respected.
            Removing a single turd from the cesspool doesn't make any difference.

            Comment


            • #7
              Originally posted by astralis View Post
              i don't get it. if Corker was "not telling lies", then was the VW executive telling lies about VW's own economic decisions/policy? VW -wanted- an union at the plant. that's what makes this case so distinctive.
              Do you think it was a coincidence that the foreign car companies chose the anti-union South as a plant location?

              With that said, this is how the UAW snaked their way in that caused VW to become "neutral" and wanted a Union. They entered into a "Neutrality Agreement" before the vote:

              UAW'S Secret Sellout at VW - No to Uninformed Auto Workers

              On Februaryt 8, anti-union workers held a meeting and gave out fliers about a clause in a Neutrality Agreement negotiated between Volkswagen and the UAW before the election, establishing a principle of “maintaining and where possible enhancing the cost advantages and other competitive advantages” that Volkswagen enjoys over its competitors. In other words, keeping wages and benefits from getting too high relative to General Motors, Ford and Chrysler. Anti-union workers calculated that would take $3 per hour off their current pay, and they spread the word about it at that meeting and the fence-sitters voted against the union.

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by bonehead View Post
                The southern perception is not entirely correct. Even in a heavily unionized state one can choose to work for non union companies and thus not pay dues but they are cutting their pay and benefits even more. They do have that choice. The only exception I know of would be public unions. In my trade dues are about 50.00 a week when you are working but your paycheck is about 300.00 more a week (straight 40 hours) than those who chose not to join a union and pay dues. That is typical across the board for construction trades.

                Corker did lie. He said that the vote will make or break VW's plans on bringing another line in. VW called him out as a liar and whats worse is that he said it during the vote to sway votes. You do have to wonder that if the company is ambivalent about having a union why someone like Corker was so active against it. As a U.S. senator, it really was not his business. Still the voters opted not to join and their vote should be respected.
                Here is a handout that was given out by anti-union workers prior to the vote:

                TOP 10 REASONS WHY VW TEAM MEMBERS SHOULD VOTE NO TO THE UAW
                As we head to the polls this week, we’d like to share with you ten simple reasons why all VW Team Members should vote NO to the UAW.

                Even though Tennessee is a “Right-to-Work” state, the UAW cut a back-room “neutrality deal” (the Election Agreement) behind our backs that affects all of us--even those who may never join the union.
                If you do not plan on joining the UAW (and not pay union dues), the UAW will know who you are and you should expect continual harassment until you either join and pay…or leave.
                Not voting is just like voting for the UAW. The outcome will be based only on those that show up to vote. It is a secret ballot, so make sure you vote and please vote NO. (Even if you signed a union authorization card, you can still vote NO.)
                We are already among the highest paid in the region and, when compared to UAW-represented employees at the Detroit Three with the same length of service, VW Team Members make more. The UAW organizers are implying that we will get more money with the UAW, when they have already (secretly) agreed to cost containment behind our backs.
                The UAW bait and switch promise of delegating its responsibilities as “exclusive bargaining representative” by establishing a Works Council at VW would likely violate both the National Labor Relations Act, as well as the UAW’s own International Constitution. This will eventually leave us with the UAW, but no Works Council.
                The election is not a vote for or against the Works Council; it is a vote for or against the UAW.
                The UAW is increasing union dues by 25% to fund a strike against Detroit automakers. The UAW will use our money to fund their strike after years of irresponsible spending (e.g., the UAW golf course and Las Vegas conventions). Remember, about half of the money you pay to the UAW will be sent directly to the union in Detroit.
                The UAW wanted to unionize us without an election. When that failed, behind closed doors, they got VW to agree to a 9-day “ambush” election, giving UAW organizers dispatched from Detroit access to our plant.
                After being publicly exposed for making implied promises, the UAW’s Gary Casteel has already begun backpedaling, stating “the union has never promised better wages and benefits.”
                The UAW has worked to silence our voices and had VW put a “gag order” on our supervisors and managers who are not allowed to share their personal opinions or views with us. Is this the UAW’s idea of Democracy?

                Another Reason to Vote NO: The UAW spends tens of millions of dollars electing politicians who want to disarm law-abiding Americans through gun control.

                Fellow VW Team Members, we ask that you examine the
                real facts about the UAW and that you vote NO to the UAW.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Originally posted by Julie View Post
                  Here is a handout that was given out by anti-union workers prior to the vote:
                  So what propaganda did the pro union people put out?
                  Removing a single turd from the cesspool doesn't make any difference.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Originally posted by bonehead View Post
                    So what propaganda did the pro union people put out?
                    All I know is they were attempting to sell something that wasn't bought.

                    I really do not understand why they would invade the South at a plant that has excellent pay and benefits, as well as working conditions. The only reason I know is that the UAW needs a money flow to fight their battles in Detroit.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by Julie View Post
                      All I know is they were attempting to sell something that wasn't bought.

                      I really do not understand why they would invade the South at a plant that has excellent pay and benefits, as well as working conditions. The only reason I know is that the UAW needs a money flow to fight their battles in Detroit.
                      Julie. It is the "United Auto Workers" union. It is their job to organize as many auto workers as they can no matter where they work in the country. VW is union friendly so it made sense to try there. Since the vote was close in a vehemently anti union area it was a good effort by the UAW.
                      Removing a single turd from the cesspool doesn't make any difference.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Let me see if I follow what you guys say here.

                        If I work the same job within the same employer I would get a higher pay if I am with the union?
                        We didn't have this in the best years of socialism.

                        Moreover, my father was not a member of the Communist Party. When one day he found out they were charging membership fees from his paychecks, he got his money back without being laid off or being bullied.
                        No such thing as a good tax - Churchill

                        To make mistakes is human. To blame someone else for your mistake, is strategic.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          $19.50 per hour is considered excellent pay and benefits in the states?

                          Christ that's $2 per hour above our bare minimum wage and well below the award for production line workers.
                          The best part of repentance is the sin

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Originally posted by chakos View Post
                            $19.50 per hour is considered excellent pay and benefits in the states?

                            Christ that's $2 per hour above our bare minimum wage and well below the award for production line workers.
                            Please note that the minimum wage here in the US is I believe $7.25, in which Obama just signed an Order requiring Federal Contract workers to receive a minium of $10.00/hr. I own a small business, and my starting wage is $12.00/hr. with no experience.

                            The $19.50/hr. at the VW plant is an average base pay wage.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              julie,

                              Do you think it was a coincidence that the foreign car companies chose the anti-union South as a plant location?
                              sure...but that still doesn't get at why you take Corker's word over a VW executive when the subject is VW business strategy. especially when VW has no incentive to lie about it.
                              There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and there has always been. The strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that "My ignorance is just as good as your knowledge."- Isaac Asimov

                              Comment

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