Volkswagen Denies UAW’s Request to Unionize at Chattanooga Plant

The recent attempt by the United Auto Workers Union (UAW) Local 42 to be recognized by a Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee was contested by the automaker’s leadership.

 One hundred sixty-five maintenance workers filed with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) on October 23, 2015 to give UAW Local 42 collective bargaining power. Currently, Local 42 acts as a forum for conversation, but is not an official part of the UAW and cannot collect dues or such.

Volkswagen on Monday November 2, 2015 filed with the NLRB to stop the maintenance department from holding the vote. The company’s official position is, “We believe that the maintenance-only unit requested in the petition is not consistent with our one team approach.” Volkswagen also argued that the UAW’s petition is not consistent with current NLRB law.

It seems the company would rather have a vote including all workers. Last year in February 2014 a plant-wide election was held. The UAW lost 712- 626.

On Tuesday November 3, 2015 and Wednesday November 4, 2015 Volkswagen held a hearing with the maintenance department about the issue. UAW lawyers and Volkswagen attorneys argued in front of an NLRB hearing officer about the nature of the maintenance workers. The company claimed maintenance workers’ jobs were not different enough from other employees to be represented as a separate entity, while the UAW testified the group has wages and job descriptions specific to the maintenance department.

A final decision on the election for the maintenance staff joining Local 42 is expected 3-5 days from the end of the hearing Wednesday November 4, 2015.

In a memo to workers, Volkswagen CEO Christian Koch wrote, "The company finds the timing of this development unfortunate, given the challenges we are facing as a plant, brand and group…”

Volkswagen has been accused by the Environmental Protection Agency of using devices to cheat on air pollution tests. On Monday November 2, 2015 it was discovered that Audi and Porsche, vehicles made by Volkswagen, may also be involved in the scandal.

This is a turbulent time for Volkswagen. The UAW’s hope for gaining recognition at the Chattanooga plant might be unrelated to the scandal, but it is certainly affected by it. For now the plant remains free of the UAW.  It seems the only way the union can enter is through another full plant vote, which will likely be as disastrous the second time around as it was the first.