In Tennessee, a historic victory for Volkswagen workers

No non-American automaker has successfully joined the United Auto Workers union so far. Could this change in the future?

Volkswagen Tennessee employees elect union representation

Workers at the Volkswagen brand in Chattanooga, Tennessee, set an important example on April 19. They voted overwhelmingly to join the United Auto Workers (UAW), the car union.

This move is significant because to date, no non-US manufacturing plant has organized a UAW union.

Big win for the UAW

This union victory is an important step in a massive $40 million campaign led by the UAW. Aimed at investing in non-union manufacturers’ factories, this major campaign aims to expand the union’s presence in foreign factories on American soil, including Tesla.

It comes after a successful strike led by new UAW President Shawn Fain in the fall of 2023 against Detroit’s big three auto companies, namely Ford, General Motors and Stellantis.

Volkswagen employees have written history!#StandUpUAW pic.twitter.com/hRFaiFlPtq

— UAW (@UAW) April 20, 2024

“Volkswagen employees have written history!”

“Volkswagen employees have written history!” It is with these words that the UAW expressed its happiness on the social network X. Building on its success with the three pillars of the automotive industry, the UAW intends to expand its influence on foreign manufacturers working in the United States.

Same lot at Mercedes-Benz in Alabama

Volkswagen’s approach is not alone. A similar vote is scheduled for May at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Vance, Alabama, as announced by the National Labor Relations Board, the agency responsible for enforcing state labor laws.