In a groundbreaking victory for labor unions in the historically anti-union South, workers at the Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga have voted to join the United Auto Workers (UAW). This marks the third attempt by the UAW to organize the plant, with previous efforts in 2013 and 2019 falling short.
The vote, with nearly three quarters of the workers in favor of the UAW, saw over 3,600 out of 4,326 eligible workers cast their ballots. The victory was met with cheers, hugs, and a visit from UAW president Shawn Fain.
Despite opposition from Southern governors and Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, the workers stood firm in their decision to join the union. President Joe Biden also weighed in on the matter, stating that American workers have the right to form a union if they choose.
This victory for the UAW is part of a larger effort to increase membership in the region, with the union seeing a rise in fortunes under the leadership of Fain. The success in Chattanooga sets the stage for another crucial vote in May, when workers at the Mercedes-Benz plant near Tuscaloosa, Alabama, will decide on joining the union.
Looking towards the future, Fain expressed optimism, stating that “we’re just getting started” in organizing Southern workers. This victory at the Volkswagen plant signals a shift in the labor landscape of the South, with more workers potentially joining the ranks of organized labor in the coming years.
