UAW Signs Up Majority of Workers at Volkswagen Plant After Detroit Wins
- Union is targeting nonunion plants to expand membership
- UAW will seek recognition once 70% of workers sign up
A United Auto Workers supporter during a Labor Day parade in Detroit, Michigan.
Photographer: Jeff Kowalsky/BloombergThe United Auto Workers Union says it has signed up the majority of employees at Volkswagen AG’s Tennessee plant, teeing up a high-stakes test of the union’s ability to expand its ranks following its record Detroit contract wins.
In November, the UAW announced an audacious effort to organize 13 automakers’ non-union plants, including Toyota Motor Corp., Tesla Inc., and Nissan Motor Co. facilities. The union, which represents around 265,000 automaker or auto parts employees, is aiming to organize around 150,000 more workers at those firms. VW’s Chattanooga, Tennessee, factory is the first of those locations where the union says it’s secured over 50% support. It previously announced signing up more than 30% of employees at Mercedes-Benz Group AG and Hyundai Motor Co. facilities in Alabama.