Chattanooga, Tennessee – With Volkswagen’s new Tennessee labor policy that acknowledges union representation without a private-ballot vote, the United Auto Workers Local 42 plans to begin immediate meetings with human resources and management.
Gary Casteel, secretary-treasurer of the UAW, who heads the International Union’s Transnational Department, said VW has officially recognized the UAW’s representation numbers. Under the new VW plan, labor groups gain different benefits at different representation levels. The UAW is claiming the top tier, more than 55% representation, giving it the right to schedule meetings on company property and meet regularly with management.
“We appreciate Volkswagen’s timely response in verifying UAW Local 42’s substantial membership level, which exceeds a majority of workers at the plant,” Casteel said. “As anticipated, we surpassed the highest level under Volkswagen’s new Community Organization Engagement policy, and the local leadership is ready to move forward with additional conversations with the company. As a starting point, UAW Local 42 will take advantage of the company’s offer to establish biweekly meetings with Volkswagen Human Resources and the Volkswagen Chattanooga Executive Committee.”
He added, “The local union will present the Chattanooga plant management with the September letter of intent in which the Volkswagen Global Group Works Council expressed its desire for the Chattanooga plant to be a ‘UAW-represented facility.’ With this in mind, we will be working toward the process of collective bargaining with the company.”
Source: Volkswagen, UAW