Volkswagen has recognised the American Council of Employees (ACE), as an alternative to the United Auto Workers (UAW) union to represent the company’s workers at its Chattanooga assembly plant in Tennessee.

The ACE received support from a minimum of 15% of the plant’s salaried and hourly workers while the UAW has the backing of at least 45% of the hourly workers, Reuters reported.

Neither of the two has collective bargaining rights for plant employees.