Workers at Volkswagen’s Tennessee plant overwhelmingly choose to join UAW, marking a significant shift in labour relations in the south
In a landmark decision, Volkswagen workers in the United States have opted to join the United Auto Workers Union (UAW), marking a significant victory for organized labour in a region traditionally resistant to such movements. The vote, which took place in Tennessee, saw a decisive 73% of workers favouring unionization, according to unofficial results announced by the UAW on Friday night.
This successful vote represents the UAW’s first major win in decades within the Southern U.S. automotive industry. The union had previously faced two unsuccessful attempts to organize the same Volkswagen plant, with the most recent effort in 2019 thwarted by strong political resistance and anti-union campaigns. However, the tide appears to be turning as the sentiment towards organized labour shifts across the nation.
The unionization drive at Volkswagen coincides with a broader resurgence in labour movements across the United States. Since the onset of the pandemic, there has been a noticeable increase in strikes and unionization efforts across various sectors, from Hollywood and Starbucks to healthcare and academia. This groundswell of labour activism is reshaping conversations around workers’ rights and benefits.
Volkswagen’s Chattanooga factory, the automaker’s sole manufacturing facility in the U.S., will now see its workers represented by the UAW. This allows them to collectively negotiate over critical issues like wages, working conditions, and benefits. Analysts believe this successful unionization could serve as a catalyst, encouraging workers at other Southern factories to pursue similar efforts.
Looking forward, the UAW has already set its sights on other targets, including a forthcoming union election at a Mercedes-Benz plant in Alabama scheduled for May. Additionally, UAW President Shawn Fain announced last year plans to expand the union’s presence in the South, aiming to organize workers at thirteen foreign-owned factories. This ambitious strategy follows a high-profile strike last year that secured substantial gains for UAW members at major auto manufacturers like General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis.
Despite historical challenges, including a reputation marred by past corruption scandals and political opposition, the UAW’s rejuvenated leadership under Fain has revitalized its efforts and strategy. This latest victory in Tennessee not only boosts the UAW’s membership but also signals a possible shift in regional attitudes towards labour unions, even as it navigates the complex political landscape marked by strong affiliations to the Republican Party, which has traditionally opposed unionization efforts in the area.
