Volkswagen’s sole U.S. factory to vote on union

An estimated 3,000 workers at America’s only Volkswagen auto manufacturer will soon settle the crucial question: To unionize, or not to unionize?

“Employees have the right to decide, by voting in a secret ballot election, on a matter that concerns their own interests,” said Sebastian Patta, the vice president of human resources for the Chattanooga, Tenn., plant, in an Associated Press report. “Volkswagen respects this democratic right at all locations worldwide.”

The National Labor Relations Board will oversee the election, planned for Feb. 12-14. If it’s a yes, then factory workers at the German-owned facility will start receiving representation through the United Auto Workers union, AP said.

The union hasn’t gained much of a foothold in representing plants in the United States that are owned by foreign interests. In fact, the UAW has only organized one — the Mitsubishi plant in Normal, Ill., with around 1,000 employees, AP said.