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UAW Offers Works Council Plan for VW’s Tennessee Plant

The United Auto Workers union has issued a "vision statement" in which Volkswagen AG sets up a works council at its assembly plant in Chattanooga, Tenn.
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The United Auto Workers union has issued a "vision statement" in which Volkswagen AG sets up a works council at its assembly plant in Chattanooga, Tenn.

VW has expressed interest in forming such a group, a standard feature at its other factories. Works councils deal with plant-specific issues for both hourly and salaried workers. Wages and benefits are worked out between the company and the unions representing its workers.

VW won't create a works council until the plant's workforce recognizes a union as its bargaining representative. The UAW was narrowly defeated in such a vote early last year. But it opened a local office anyway and says it has since signed 55% of the plant's hourly workers.

The union is hoping VW will recognize its right to represent workers without requiring another vote. But the company said on Thursday it will not do that. Unionization at Chattanooga is vehemently opposed by Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and U.S. Sen. Bob Corker.

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