United Auto Workers union president Shawn Fain has not been shy about his desire to organize non-union auto factories in the United States, and a new report suggests he’s making headway. Automotive News reported that Volkswagen’s Chattanooga assembly plant will hold its third union election in mid-April, setting the stage for what could be another dramatic win for the popular leader.
Before going too far, it’s important to note that this will be the third time the VW factory has voted to unionize, with the first two votes losing by a small margin. This union push aims to organize all full- and part-time production workers and maintenance staff, and the UAW recently announced that it had received signed union cards from a supermajority of union-eligible employees.
Though previous union votes failed, the UAW has momentum on its side. The union won a record contract for auto workers last year, ending a stressful strike and solidifying its position as one of the most powerful labor organizers in the country. The last vote only saw 48.2 percent support.
If the vote is successful, it will likely encourage Fain and the UAW to pursue other automakers in the country. Despite its CEO calling unionized employees a sign of failure, Tesla is on the UAW’s radar, along with Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, and others. Though they aren’t protected by union benefits, many workers at those automakers saw raises after the union’s win, but they still lack protections for temporary workers and other benefits that UAW members enjoy.
[Image: Luis Yanez via Shutterstock]
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