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UAW Says VW Workers in Chattanooga Favor Union
A majority of hourly workers at Volkswagen AG's assembly plant in Chattanooga, Tenn., have signed cards indicating they want to be represented by the United Auto Workers union, the Associates Press reports.
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A majority of hourly workers at Volkswagen AG's assembly plant in Chattanooga, Tenn., have signed cards indicating they want to be represented by the United Auto Workers union, the Associates Press reports.
AP cites UAW regional director Gary Casteel, who says the cards indicate their signers want to join a works council like the ones VW uses in Germany. The system relies upon national unions such as IG Metall to negotiate wages. But workers at each factory elect their own works council to make local decisions about hours, working conditions and benefits.
A UAW success at VW could lead to similar agreements with the U.S. operations of other German carmakers and suppliers. UAW President Bob King has said he also would pursue work councils at other carmakers, including Detroit's Big Three automakers if those workers want them.
The German concept is less adversarial than the traditional union-management system in the U.S. King has opined that Japanese carmakers, who have resisted the UAW's organizing efforts, might be more receptive to a works council structure.
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