The United Auto Workers union is now officially requesting a union election at Volkswagen’s big plant in Tennessee. This comes as the union works to organize non-union plants.
Volkswagen says it doesn’t object to an election because it allows workers to make an important decision in private.
Berkley labor expert Harley Shaiken says while many politicians in the south oppose the UAW, Volkswagen itself has a strong record of supporting organized labor.
“Volkswagen, I think, will be more open than a number of other auto manufacturers,” Shaiken said. “Half their board of directors are elected by workers, and a major state in Germany that tends to be pro-labor also has important seats.”
Volkswagen workers narrowly voted down UAW representation in 2019.
