America’s UAW body says it has withdrawn its appeal with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), relating to what it referred to as “interference by politicians” in elections for Volkswagen Chattanooga workers.
The dramatic U-turn follows the loss of a vote to allow the UAW to represent Tennessee workers by 712 votes to 626, with the body objecting to what it said was a “widely-publicised coercive campaign conducted by politicians” to thwart unionisation plans.
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A statement from the UAW cites president, Bob King as saying the NLRB’s “historically dysfunctional and complex process, potentially could drag on for months or even years.”
Volkswagen has stayed neutral in the controversial debate, but did note recently it had found “great enthusiasm” for what it described as an “American-style” Works Council both inside and outside the Chattanooga plant
“The UAW is ready to put February’s tainted election in the rear-view mirror and instead focus on advocating for new jobs and economic investment in Chattanooga,” said King.
“The UAW’s objections informed the public about the unprecedented interference by anti-labour politicians and third parties who want to prevent workers from exercising their democratic right to choose union representation.”
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By GlobalDataSenator Bob Corker (R), who as mayor of Chattanooga from 2001-2005 worked to develop the Enterprise South Industrial Park, currently housing Volkswagen’s North America headquarters, said the UAW’s decision to to withdraw its appeal backed his assertion the labour body’s objection was a “sideshow” to deflect scrutiny of its Chattanooga defeat.
“This 11th hour reversal by the UAW affirms what we have said all along – that their objection was nothing more than a sideshow to draw attention away from their stinging loss in Chattanooga,” said Corker.
“Many have felt the UAW never really wanted another election in the near term because they knew they would lose by an even larger margin, based on widespread knowledge of the UAW’s problematic track record throughout the country, which the workers at Volkswagen have been able to see first-hand over recent months.
“Fortunately, the majority of workers at Volkswagen’s Chattanooga plant realised they were only dollar signs to the UAW’s self-survival.”
The UAW’s campaign to secure unionisation at the Chattanooga plant received widespread backing from other international labour organisations, including Germany’s IG Metall and Canada’s automotive body, Unifor.
