Staff at a Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, grew to become the primary Southern autoworkers not employed by one of many Large Three automobile producers to win a union Friday evening after they voted to affix the United Auto Staff by a “landslide” majority.
That is the primary main victory for the UAW after it launched the most important organizing drive in trendy U.S. historical past on the heels of its “arise strike” that secured historic contracts with the Large Three in fall 2023.
“Lots of the speaking heads and the pundits have mentioned to me repeatedly earlier than we introduced this marketing campaign, ‘You possibly can’t win within the South,’” UAW president Shawn Fain advised the victorious staff in a video shared by UAW. “They mentioned Southern staff aren’t prepared for it. They mentioned non-union autoworkers didn’t have it in them. However you all mentioned, ‘Watch this!’ And also you all moved a mountain.”
In keeping with the UAW’s real-time outcomes, the vote tally now stands at 2,628 — or 73% — sure to 985 — or 27% — no. Voting on the round 4,300-worker plant started Wednesday.
@UAW President Shawn Fain inform @VW staff: “Volkswagen household, welcome to the UAW household.” Video by @JoanMcClaneCTFP pic.twitter.com/NQxDEb6Xs5
— Alison Gerber (@aligerb) April 20, 2024
The Chattanooga staff introduced their present union drive in December 2023. Friday’s victory follows two failed unionization makes an attempt on the plant in 2014 and 2019.
“We noticed the large contract that UAW staff gained on the Large Three and that acquired all people speaking,” Zachary Costello, a coach in VW’s proficiency room, mentioned in an announcement. “You see the pay, the advantages, the rights UAW members have on the job, and also you see how that will change your life. That’s why we voted overwhelmingly for the union. As soon as folks see the distinction a union makes, there’s no technique to cease them.”
The union’s win comes regardless of the opposition of Republican Tennessee Gov. Invoice Lee.
“At the moment, I joined fellow governors in opposing the UAW’s unionization marketing campaign,” Lee mentioned on social media Tuesday. “We need to hold good-paying jobs and proceed to develop the American auto manufacturing sector. A profitable unionization drive will cease this progress in its tracks, to the detriment of American staff.”
Nonetheless, Tennessee State Rep. Justin Jones (D-52) celebrated the win.
“Watching historical past tonight in Chattanooga, as Volkswagen staff voted in a landslide to affix the UAW,” he wrote on social media Friday evening. “Regardless of stress from Gov. Lee, that is the primary auto plant within the South to unionize for the reason that Forties. This unbelievable victory for labor will remodel Tennessee and the South!”
Different nationwide labor leaders and progressive politicians additionally congratulated the Chattanooga staff.
Lee Saunders, president of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Staff, mentioned the win “reveals what we already know — staff in each a part of this nation need the liberty to affix a union, and once we stand collectively, we’ve got large energy. Regardless that the deck is stacked in opposition to us, momentum is on our aspect, and we’re profitable.”
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) mentioned: “It is a big victory not just for UAW staff at Volkswagen, however for each employee in America. The tide is popping. Staff all throughout the nation, even in our most conservative states, are sick and uninterested in company greed and are demanding financial justice.”
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) known as the outcomes “an totally historic victory for the working class.”
“Tennessee is shining vibrant tonight,” she wrote on social media Friday. “We’re in a brand new period. Congratulations to the brave staff in Chattanooga and the complete UAW. Completely heroic. Solidarity IS the technique — throughout the South, and all around the nation.”
Extra Good Union mentioned the victory would “change the auto trade, and the way forward for American labor,” and the marketing campaign organizers themselves are conscious of the significance of what they’ve achieved.
“We perceive that the world’s watching us,” employee Isaac Meadows, who has been on the plant for one yr, advised Extra Good Union. “You understand there’s a labor motion on this nation, you understand, we’re poised to be the primary domino of many to fall.”
Employee Kelcey Smith, who has additionally been on the plant for one yr, added, “I believe it’s an incredible push for the complete South, and folks will comply with swimsuit.”
BREAKING: Over 4,000 Volkswagen staff in Tennessee simply joined the @UAW in a landslide.
They’re the primary American staff to win a union at a non-union automobile firm in many years.
This historic victory will change the auto trade, and the way forward for American labor. pic.twitter.com/UhB2nsWNoH
— Extra Good Union (@MorePerfectUS) April 20, 2024
The subsequent domino to fall could possibly be the Mercedes-Benz plant in Vance, Alabama, the place a UAW election is scheduled from Could 13-17. All advised, greater than 10,000 non-union automobile makers have signed union playing cards for the reason that UAW launched its historic organizing drive.
For the Chattanooga staff, in the meantime, their subsequent huge struggle can be to safe their first union-negotiated contract.
“The true struggle begins now,” Fain advised cheering staff. “The true struggle is getting your justifiable share. The true struggle is the struggle to get extra time along with your households. The true struggle is the struggle for our union contract.”
“And I can assure you one factor,” Fain continued, “this worldwide unionist management, this membership throughout this nation has your again on this struggle.”
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