In a landmark decision, Volkswagen employees in Chattanooga, Tennessee, have voted to join the United Auto Workers (UAW), marking the first time since the 1940s that workers at a Southern auto factory have chosen to unionize through an election. The National Labor Relations Board reported that nearly three-quarters of the 3,613 workers voted in favor during the three-day voting period, easily surpassing the simple majority required.
This victory signifies a significant triumph for the UAW and organized labor, which has historically struggled to establish a foothold in Southern states. This was the union’s third attempt to unionize the Volkswagen Chattanooga plant, following unsuccessful efforts in 2014 and 2019. The successful vote positions the plant alongside a select group of unionized auto factories in the South, a region where local laws and customs have traditionally posed challenges to union efforts.
The successful unionization follows a vigorous campaign by local Volkswagen workers and UAW representatives, who emphasized the benefits of unionization such as improved health care, retirement benefits, and increased paid time off. This campaign also aligns with political movements supporting union expansion, notably receiving backing from President Joe Biden, who recently secured the UAW’s endorsement for his re-election and has expressed strong support for union initiatives.
In a statement celebrating the unionization, President Biden commended the workers for their historic decision, reaffirming his support for the auto workers’ rights and organizational efforts. “Congratulations to the workers at Volkswagen in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on their historic vote for union representation with the United Auto Workers,” Biden stated. “I was proud to stand alongside auto workers in their successful fight for record contracts, and I am proud to stand with auto workers now as they successfully organize at Volkswagen.”
Volkswagen responded to the election results by thanking its employees for participating in the democratic process, noting that its other global factories are already represented by unions or similar worker advocacy groups.
Workers at the Chattanooga plant celebrated their significant win at a local union hall. VW employee Kelcey Smith highlighted the broader implications of their success, stating in a UAW release, “This election is big. People in high places told us good things can’t happen here in Chattanooga. They told us this isn’t the time to stand up, this isn’t the place. But we did stand up and we won. This is the time; this is the place. Southern workers are ready to stand up and win a better life.”
The Chattanooga workers’ decision could catalyze further unionization efforts across Southern auto factories, with the UAW planning to organize a dozen automakers in the region. Upcoming union elections at Mercedes-Benz facilities in Alabama could further indicate whether this momentum will continue to build across the industry.
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