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John,
Yesterday, Tennessee workers doubled union density in the state. After two heartbreaking union elections at the Chattanooga Volkswagen plant in 2014 and 2019, the votes have been tallied for a third, worker-led campaign to unionize the Volkswagen plant with the United Auto Workers. VW workers overwhelmingly voted YES to join UAW. Despite facing interference from anti-worker politicians, workers in Chattanooga have made history.
More than 30 labor, faith, and community organizations rallied behind the Volkswagen workers in Chattanooga, including Jobs With Justice East Tennessee. The infrastructure of solidarity JWJ East Tennessee and other community groups have cultivated continues to build a network of workers willing to throwdown – from contract fights to picket lines. |
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“As long as there is a U in UNION we have a fighting chance. The things that VW workers learned to do in this campaign cannot be taken from them. Listening, asking hard questions, speaking to media, deciding what changes they want, lifting their voices, overcoming fear of losing a job, telling politicians that workers can think for themselves, and standing shoulder to shoulder with other workers.
There are three places we call each other brothers and sisters: the family, the church, and the UNION. There is power in a union.” – June Rostan, JWJ ET Co-Chair |
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This victory is an opportunity for Tennessee workers to co-create fair and safe work environments. A UAW contract with Volkswagen will help set the wage standards for manufacturing workers, as well as health and safety standards in preparation for the booming (and dangerous) electric vehicle battery industry. The success of these organized workers is critical to the people of Tennessee, their families, and the future of work in the South.
Jobs With Justice stands in solidarity with Local 42 as they take the monumental step of negotiating a first contract.
In Solidarity,
Michaela Winter Organizer Jobs With Justice |
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