Local Republicans slam UAW, urge VW employees to vote against union

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Local and state Republican officials held a press conference Monday morning to discuss their opposition to a unionization effort at Volkswagen.

 Democrats and pro-union activists voiced disapproval over some of their statements.

Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp said, “A UAW victory here would be the best day for Democrats in my lifetime, and I think that it is fitting that a lot of representatives of the local Democratic Party are here. The UAW cares a whole lot more about politics than their membership.”

Republican leaders holding a press conference to voice their opposition to the UAW.

Mayor Wamp, State Senator Bo Watson, State Representative Greg Martin, and Hamilton County Commissioner Lee Helton did not hold back on their criticisms of the UAW.

They argue that the UAW is a political organization sympathetic to the Democratic Party and have been destructive in other plants around the country.

Mayor Wamp discussed previous corruption scandals against the UAW, saying the union has a history of failing union members.

Representative Martin said, “Research continues to show that right-to-work states like Tennessee have higher real income growth, employment growth and population growth.  Tennessee — and those who live and work across the state — have proven this to be true year after year. By allowing the UAW into Volkswagen, we will take the first step to ending this progress and move our state closer to what we see today in Detroit, Chicago, New York City and other progressive cities across our country.”

However, pro-union activists and local Democrats argue that using a political seat of power to sway a union vote is inappropriate and an example of union busting.

Democratic State Representative Yusuf Hakeem said, “We had in my view a lot of diatribes that took place.  I think if we throw out a lot of things like that, diatribes, we need to look at self or party. You want to talk about corruption, talk about other than your constituents? People need to take a look at themselves also.”

Hamilton County Democratic Party Chair Rachel Campbell added, “We believe that workers have the right to organize, and should have the opportunity to make their own decisions about their future, their career, and the community in which they have chosen to work and live in. They should be able to do that without the mayor’s office or the Republican delegation putting their thumb on the scale. I do not find it surprising that once again, Mayor Wamp found his way in front of a podium, and the press, for a photo opportunity, to spread lies and misinformation, and to do partisan political work on the taxpayer’s dime. Shame on him.”

We did ask Mayor Wamp about some of our recent stories concerning injuries that are claimed to have happened inside of the plant, and what he would tell workers who have been pushed to vote for the union because of their situation.

Mayor Wamp responded, “Our expectations, that we’ve communicated this with every opportunity is that we want to be able to hold Volkswagen leadership to the highest possible standard…If they’ve convinced employees here, they’re going to fix all of this here, then shame on the UAW.”

Union activists in attendance were not swayed by the press conference.

One activist and Volkswagen employee, Isaac Meadows, said, “Don’t get caught up in the politics. Everybody is trying to make this a political issue and it is not a political issue for us. This is a personal issue for us, trying to improve our workforce, trying to improve our quality of life, and our family’s quality of life.”

The vote for the UAW will take place from April 17-19 and is only open to certain employees at the Volkswagen plant.