Chattanooga, Tennessee, made history as Volkswagen workers overwhelmingly voted to join the United Auto Workers, marking the first successful unionization of a Southern auto factory through election since the 1940s. The National Labor Relations Board reported that nearly three-quarters of the 3,613 workers cast their votes in favor of the union during the three-day election, surpassing the simple majority required for passage.
This victory not only signifies a triumph for the UAW but also for organized labor in the face of significant challenges in organizing factories in Southern states. Despite two previous unsuccessful attempts to unionize the VW plant in 2014 and 2019, the successful campaign led by local workers with support from UAW staff helped secure this milestone. The union’s promise to advocate for improved health care, retirement benefits, and more paid time off resonated with workers, paving the way for this success.
President Biden, who received the UAW’s endorsement earlier this year and has been a vocal supporter of union expansion efforts, hailed the Volkswagen workers in Chattanooga for their historic vote for union representation. The win also offers momentum for the UAW’s broader campaign to organize factories of a dozen automakers in the South, including foreign-headquartered companies like Honda, Toyota, Hyundai, and Tesla’s facilities.
The vote at Volkswagen opens doors for further union membership expansion in the United States, especially in states with “Right to Work” laws and entrenched anti-union sentiments. The AFL-CIO president, Liz Shuler, called this victory a significant milestone for workers in Tennessee and the broader South, highlighting the shifting attitudes among younger workers towards unions. The increase in petitions for union elections and rising support for unions across the country indicate a growing momentum in the labor movement, despite decades of decline in union membership.
As Volkswagen workers in Chattanooga celebrate their win, they set a precedent for workers across the country, demonstrating the potential for collective action and worker empowerment. The success at Volkswagen may inspire more workers to consider unionizing for better working conditions, benefits, and representation in the ongoing evolution of the labor landscape. The road ahead may still present challenges, but the Chattanooga victory serves as a beacon of hope and progress for labor rights advocates nationwide.