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VW Workers in Tennessee Launch Anti-Union Drive

A group of workers at Volkswagen AG's assembly plant in Chattanooga, Tenn., has begun a petition drive to oppose an effort by the United Auto Workers union to represent them, The Wall Street Journal reports.
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A group of workers at Volkswagen AG's assembly plant in Chattanooga, Tenn., has begun a petition drive to oppose an effort by the United Auto Workers union to represent them, The Wall Street Journal reports.

The UAW said nearly three weeks ago that a majority of the plant's 2,000 hourly workers had signed cards indicating they want the union to represent them. The opposing workers say the UAW wasn't clear that signing the cards was an endorsement for the union, not just a request for more information.

The group vows to collect signatures from more than 50% of the Chattanooga workers declaring they oppose UAW representation. The Journal reports that other workers have prepared a complaint to the National Labor Relations Board claiming that union organizers pressured workers to sign cards supporting the UAW.

VW has been receptive to setting up a works council at Chattanooga like the ones it has in most of its other factories. Such councils make local decisions about benefits, hours and working conditions. But, as in other countries, its workers in Chattanooga would be represented on wage issues by a national union.

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