Workers at Volkswagen's Tennessee Plant Vote to Join the UAW
In a historic victory for the United Auto Workers (UAW), workers at Volkswagen's Tennessee plant have voted to join the union. This marks a significant step for the UAW as it expands its reach beyond its traditional base in Detroit into the U.S. South and West.
The vote, held on Friday, saw a majority of eligible workers cast ballots in favor of the union, with the final tally at 2,628 to 985, or 73% for joining the UAW. This makes the Chattanooga factory the first auto plant in the South to unionize via election since the 1940s and the first foreign-owned auto plant in the South to do so.
The victory is a major boost for UAW President Shawn Fain's campaign to unionize plants owned by more than a dozen automakers across the U.S., including Tesla. Fain and his team have committed to spending $40 million through 2026 on this effort.
Jubilant workers celebrated the outcome, with some in tears and others raising their arms in victory. "I'm exhilarated that we actually accomplished what we set out to accomplish," said VW employee Lisa Elliott. "Tell Mercedes they're next," she cheered.
The next facility to hold a UAW election will be a Mercedes plant in Alabama, where a majority of workers have signed cards indicating they support unionization. The vote at the Mercedes plant will take place during the week of May 13.
This victory for the UAW comes after years of setbacks in the South, where anti-union sentiment has been strong. However, the broader labor movement has seen a resurgence in recent years, with a record number of workers across various industries going on strike last year.
President Biden also expressed his support for the UAW, stating that he will "continue to stand with American workers and stand against Republican's effort to weaken workers' voice."
Pro-union workers at the VW plant say they campaigned for improved safety on the job, better work-life balance, and improved benefits. They expressed relief and satisfaction with the outcome of the vote.