In April 2024, the United Auto Workers had their first Southern auto plant “win” at Volkswagen (VW) in Chattanooga. Contract talks later stalled out, and in October, VW publicized their “last, best, and final” offer including a 20% wage boost over four years, $4,000 ratification bonus, and first-ever COLA benefits. That bonus would have even reached $5,550 if ratification happened by Oct. 31, which clearly was not the case. Instead, the union essentially ignored the offer and is waving around an authorized strike.
Prior to this election victory, UAW president Shawn Fain made no secret of his dream to double his union’s size by organizing auto workers in the South. Yet the VW situation makes Fain’s goal look increasingly unlikely, for multiple reasons including the union’s adversarial representation.
Nor does this bode well for VW Chattanooga workers, who are feeling the gulf between union promises and union delivery, as we’ll see below.
A Union’s Claims Unravel, And A Decertification Effort Emerges
Prior to the VW Chattanooga union election, data reflected how manufacturing industry wages were higher for non-union versus union workers in 2023. Fain surely did not want Southern auto workers to see that data, and during negotiations, VW revealed that the union came to the table with an unrealistic wish list of 800+ demands. VW reports resolving 90% of these asks and making “meaningful moves and offers” while the union then made more “economically unfeasible demands.”
Some VW workers grew weary of the wait and began gathering signatures in hopes of launching a decertification petition. They hope to “vote the UAW out so we can get our raise directly without the UAW in the way.”
Here are quotes from three workers who have each been at VW Chattanooga for 5-15 years:
- Angelo Robinson expressed dismay at the UAW leaving members with “no voice” on their working conditions. He added that a “majority” of workers wanted to vote on VW’s offer, but they were denied by the bargaining committee. Robinson further explained how the UAW’s presence caused workplace morale to deteriorate: “Everybody used to get along. Now, with the UAW here, it’s like a clash. It’s like they’re putting employees against each other.”
- Dakotah Bailey is also frustrated at how the union won’t let workers vote on VW’s offer: “Especially right before the holidays. It would be great to have an extra $5,500 sitting in my bank account.”
- Darrell Belcher noted that many of his coworkers “worry about retaliation or being targeted” if they speak out against the union, and “they don’t want to come out, so it makes it hard.”
Several other workers spoke anonymously on their disappointment, and their wish for secrecy is understandable, considering how Shawn Fain has a well-documented retaliatory streak when his ideas are challenged.
At present, no information exists on how many members signed the petition effort, which was initially launched by around 15 workers.
Conclusion
These workers are feeling the post-election reality of a union’s unrealistic contract demands and rigid bargaining processes, which have alienated the very UAW members whose interests that the union claims to represent.
Meanwhile, Volkswagen’s public offer signaled transparency that put the onus on the union. We’ll be watching whether the frustrated workers’ efforts lead to a formal decertification petition.
