Volkswagen employees in Chattanooga, Tennessee, have overwhelmingly voted to join the United Auto Workers — achieving a significant milestone for the union and its inaugural successful organizing campaign of an automaker beyond Detroit’s Big Three.
The unionization effort secured a 73% majority vote, with 2,628 workers, in favor of the UAW, as reported by the National Labor Relations Board, which supervised the election. Out of approximately 4,326 eligible VW employees, around 84%, or roughly 3,620, participated in the election, as disclosed by the NLRB. Seven ballots were contested, while three were invalidated.
The UAW stated in a release Friday evening, preceding the official announcement by the NLRB, "In a historic triumph, a vast majority of Volkswagen workers in Chattanooga, Tennessee, have chosen to join the UAW. While the vote counting is ongoing, the result is unequivocal: Volkswagen workers in Chattanooga are the first Southern auto workers outside the Big Three to secure their union."
The NLRB must still validate the outcome, but unless unforeseen issues or disputes arise, the company is obligated to engage in sincere negotiations with the union. Discussions may proceed directly or through mediation.
Both parties have a five-business-day window to raise objections to the election, according to the NLRB. Absent any objections, the result will be certified.
VW acknowledged the UAW’s victory in a release Friday night but provided limited additional commentary.
"We will await certification of the results by the NLRB," the company stated. "Volkswagen thanks its Chattanooga workers for participating in this election."
The UAW leadership and supporters are poised to leverage this triumph as a springboard for the union’s unprecedented campaign to organize 13 automakers in the U.S., following significant contract victories last year with General Motors, Ford Motor, and Stellantis, Chrysler's parent company.
President Joe Biden, a staunch advocate of organized labor and the UAW, commended the union on its "historic vote."
Biden remarked in a statement, "Union members nationwide have achieved significant victories and substantial wage increases, including automotive workers, actors, port workers, Teamsters, writers, warehouse employees, and healthcare workers. Together, these union triumphs have elevated wages and reaffirmed that the middle class constructed America and that unions continue to fortify and expand the middle class for all workers."
UAW President Shawn Fain and others regarded this week’s vote as the union’s prime opportunity to organize the VW plant following strikes and landmark contracts at the Detroit automakers. These agreements included notable wage hikes, reinstatement of cost-of-living adjustments, and other benefits.
The successful organizing campaign comes on the heels of a joint statement from six Republican governors of Southern states, including Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, condemning the UAW’s efforts to organize in their respective states.
"We have tirelessly pursued the creation of well-paying jobs for our constituents. These jobs have become integral to the automotive manufacturing industry. Unionization could undoubtedly jeopardize jobs in our states — in fact, this year alone, all UAW-affiliated automakers have announced layoffs," the statement asserted.
Previously, the UAW faltered in its attempts to organize the Volkswagen plant in 2014 and 2019, encountering heightened external political pressure and worker resistance. Five years ago, workers rejected union membership by a narrow margin of 833 to 776 votes.
The union will now pivot towards negotiations with VW. Additionally, it will anticipate an impending organizing vote among Mercedes-Benz employees at an SUV plant in Vance, Alabama.
Earlier this month, workers at the facility filed NLRB paperwork for a formal election to join the UAW. The vote for 5,200 employees will take place from May 13 to May 17, as announced by the NLRB on Thursday.
Fain addressed Mercedes-Benz workers last month, stating, "The first step towards victory is believing in your ability to succeed. That this job can improve. That your life can improve. And that these aspirations are worth fighting for. That's why we stand up. That's why you're here today. Because deep down, you believe it's attainable."
Fain previously pledged to extend beyond the Big Three and expand to the "Big Five or Big Six" by the expiration of the union's four-and-a-half-year contracts with the Detroit automakers in 2028.
