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April 22, 2024

Volkswagen Workers in Tennessee Vote to Unionize with United Auto Workers
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In labor news, Volkswagen employees at a Chattanooga, Tennessee, factory
have overwhelmingly voted to join the United Auto Workers union. The
plant will become the first foreign-owned car factory in the South to
unionize. The decisive victory comes in the wake of the historic strike
and contract gains with the U.S. auto industry's "Big 3" companies last
year. The UAW has pledged to unionize auto workers across the country.
On Sunday, UAW President Shawn Fain spoke at a conference organized by
Labor Notes.

Shawn Fain: "Four thousand workers in Chattanooga, Tennessee, did what
many people said was impossible. … You know, we did what the pundits
said couldn't be done. Every time I was interviewed by people and we
talked about organizing the South, they would always do an eye roll and
say, 'Do you really think you can win in the South?' And you know what?
Those workers stood up for themselves. That's how we won. And they voted
for a union."



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