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Volkswagen

Tenn. VW workers to vote on German-style union

By Brent Snavely
Detroit Free Press
File photo of worker on the line at VW's Chattanooga, Tenn., building Passat sedans.
  • VW and United Auto Workers agreed to vote
  • Would be first %22works council%22 system of union representation in U.S.
  • Would be first successful unionization in decades of foreign plant not part of joint venture with U.S. automaker

The United Auto Workers and Volkswagen Group of America announced today that an election for possible German-style union representation will be held at Volkswagen's Chattanooga, Tenn., plant Feb. 12-14.

The VW workers will be voting on whether to establisha German-style "works council" system at the plant. If they vote for the union, this would be the first works council in the U.S. and the first time in decades that the UAW organized a foreign-owned auto plant not part of a joint venture with a Detroit automaker.

The National Labor Relations Board scheduled the secret ballot as a result of a deal between Volkswagen and the union. "Volkswagen is known globally for its system of cooperation with unions and works councils," UAW President Bob King said in a statement. "The UAW seeks to partner with (the company) and a works council to set a new standard in the U.S. for innovative labor-management relations that benefits the company, the entire workforce, shareholders and the community."

A works council has specific rights and responsibilities similar to the German "Betriebsrat." Under the model, a works council represents employees on a wide range of internal matters at the plant, while their union represents them on terms and conditions such as hours, pay and benefits.

The company said Chattanooga is the only major Volkswagen assembly facility without a union and that a works council at the Chattanooga plant would get a seat at the VW Global Group Works Council.

Volkswagen plans to spend $7 billion in North America in the next five years as it expands production and adds new products, including a new midsize SUV. Martin Winterkorn, CEO of Volkswagen, has said the SUV is being considered for Chattanooga and that the outcome of a UAW vote would have no impact on the decision.

While Volkswagen doesn't oppose the formation of a union at the Tennessee plant, leading political figures in the state do, including Republican Gov. Bill Haslam and Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn. — a former mayor of Chattanooga.

Republican interest groups also have pressured workers to vote against the UAW and have purchased billboards in Tennessee to campaign against the UAW.

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