Election set for Chattanooga Volkswagen plant on unionizing skilled trade workers

NEW: The Tennessee American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations President released a statement about the upcoming Chattanooga Volkswagen election in support of it and the UAW.

President Billy Dycus said, "After such a close election at Volkswagen nearly two years ago, we are pleased that the maintenance workers will get a chance to decide whether to be represented by the United Auto Workers. Political interference played an unnecessary role in the last election at the Chattanooga plant and we hope that won’t be the case once again. These employees deserve to make the important decision of union representation without outside influence or pressure. We stand by our brothers and sisters at UAW Local 42 as they take the next step toward achieving collective bargaining rights at the plant." 

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UPDATE: The UAW reacts to the NLRB ordering an election at the Chattanooga Volkswagen plant that it was against.

UAW Secretary-Tresurer and Director of the Union’s Transnational Department Gary Casteel said, “It’s unfortunate that, in the middle of Volkswagen’s widening emissions scandal, we had to spend weeks debating workers’ rights that clearly are protected under federal law. Volkswagen’s attempt to sidestep U.S. law was a waste of employees’ time and energy, and a waste of government resources. Looking ahead, our hope is that the company now will recommit to the values that made Volkswagen a great brand — environmental sustainability and true co-determination between management and employees. We have no doubt that Volkswagen can make a comeback in the U.S. and around the world, but the company needs to refocus on its core principles.”

UAW Local 42 President Mike Cantrell said, "We’re pleased that the NLRB upheld our members’ rights. We’re asking the company to respect the decision and not attempt to further interfere with the election for our skilled trades colleagues. As a union, our goal always has been — and still is — moving toward collective bargaining for the the purpose of reaching a multi-year contract between Volkswagen and employees in Chattanooga. There are multiple paths to collective bargaining, and this is a step in the right direction. We hope the company will support the same rights for employees in Chattanooga that are enjoyed by our Volkswagen co-workers around the world.”

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Chattanooga, TN (WDEF) The National Labor Relations Board set dates for the Chattanooga Volkswagen plant to vote on unionizing skilled trade workers.

Employees will be voting on December 3rd and 4th at the Volkswagen Academy Conference Center.

Voting is from 6 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and then again from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on those days.

165 skilled trade workers asked the NLRB to allow them to organize.