UAW officials say they expect Volkswagen to recognise its new Local 42 grouping at the German automaker’s Chattanooga, Tennessee, plant imminently, following its recent formation.
The US labour body is referring to Local 42 as a ‘union,’ despite this year’s 712-626 votes defeat for its attempts to represent workers at the plant after what the UAW described as: “A widely-publicised coercive campaign conducted by politicians” to scupper its plans.
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Local 42 will represent any interested employees, says the UAW, who join the local as members, with no staff being required to belong to the body.
“We are confident they [Volkswagen] will recognise this local by dealing with it,” UAW secretary-treasurer, Gary Casteel, told just-auto from Detroit. “We have had a great response from workers who signed – hundreds of workers already.
“We don’t have to have a vote in this situation. Employees simply have to join as members.”
The UAW’s campaign – before the establishment of its Local – 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.
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By GlobalDataBut the establishment of a traditional union has met with significant hostility from some quarters, notably Tennessee Senator Bob Corker, who said he was “thrilled” following rejection of a labour body at Chattanooga.
Since the previous vote, Volkswagen says it will set up an SUV line at the Tennessee plant, although Casteel is at pains to point out State and Federal incentive funds were not contingent on workers joining a union.
“Volkswagen is a company of the highest integrity and they are quick to point out co-determination is a cornerstone of their business model,” said Casteel. “They set the high mark.
“The commitment of this Local is to form the first works council – we intend to negotiate the first German-style works council.”
Volkswagen was not immediately available for comment.
However, when announcing the SUV assembly deal it said group works council chairman Bernd Osterloh would join the VW America board.
“We are pleased that Osterloh has declared his willingness to play a concentrated role in shaping our US strategy in the future. He will represent the views of the workforce. This is in line with the co-determination culture of Volkswagen, which is one of our key success factors,” chairman Martin Winterkorn said.
