CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) - The National Labor Relations Board has determined that the United Auto Workers union and Volkswagen did not violate federal labor laws last year in Chattanooga.
An investigation into possible violations began after workers filed complaints in the midst of the union’s organizing efforts at the plant.
The NLRB investigation found the UAW did not violate the law in soliciting or handling signatures of hourly employees on cards requesting the workers’ permission to represent them.
In a related case, the agency said Volkswagen Group of America also did not violate any laws during organizing efforts.
UAW regional director Gary Casteel told the Chattanooga Times Free Press (https://bit.ly/1itTtbU) that he expected the result.
“We knew we had not done anything wrong,” he said. “It validates that.”
Volkswagen said in a statement that the decision confirmed its legal position.
“Furthermore, we wish to reiterate that as a general principle, Volkswagen supports the right of employees to representation at all its plants and is in favor of good cooperation with the trade union or unions represented at its plants,” the Volkswagen Chattanooga statement said.
National Right to Work Foundation President Mark Mix said the decision was disappointing for the workers, but it did not come as a surprise.
“As we saw with the union claim against Boeing Co. just a few years ago, if VW management was discouraging workers from rejecting UAW representation with threats, there’s little question that an NLRB prosecution would have already begun at the UAW’s behest,” Mix said in a statement.
The NRLB report recommends the complaints be dismissed.
___
Information from: Chattanooga Times Free Press, https://www.timesfreepress.com
Please read our comment policy before commenting.