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Nissan Techs Can Vote on Union, US Labor Board Rules

  • Ruling clears way for Nissan workers to join Machinists union
  • US workers for foreign carmakers have struggled to unionize
A vehicle on the production line during final inspections at the Nissan Motor Co. manufacturing facility in Smyrna, Tennessee, U.S., on Tuesday, May 18, 2021. Markit is scheduled to release manufacturing figures on May 21.
A vehicle on the production line during final inspections at the Nissan Motor Co. manufacturing facility in Smyrna, Tennessee, U.S., on Tuesday, May 18, 2021. Markit is scheduled to release manufacturing figures on May 21.Photographer: Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg
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A group of around 86 Nissan North America Inc. technicians at a Tennessee manufacturing plant can vote on unionization, the US labor board ruled, rejecting the company’s argument that any union election should include thousands more employees.

The tool and die technicians “are highly skilled,” “have separate supervision” and are performing functions that are distinct from their co-workers, a panel of three Democratic members of the US National Labor Relations Board wrote in their Thursday ruling, which overturned a decision by a regional director of the agency.