While former EICs Schmitt and Niedermeyer documented the increasing co-operation between the UAW and IG Metall, recent developments have taken the relationship to new twists and turns. First there was the appointment of IG Metall bigwig Bernd Osterloh to VW of America's board of directors. Now, Reuters is reporting that the two unions, along with the VW global works council, have signed a letter of intent to represent VW workers at its Chattanooga, Tennessee plant.
Since the UAW lost a 2013 vote to represent the plant's workers, various machinations have occurred. A "voluntary" union local was established by the UAW in an attempt to organize the plant's labor force, only to be met with another outfit that was distinguished by its anti-UAW stance.
Despite the "voluntary" nature of the UAW's Local 42 (as its known), the bargaining unit could be recognized by VW if a majority of workers decide to join it. This would be a major coup for the UAW, which is desperate to make headway in organizing a foreign plant, as well as IG Metall, which would further solidify its influence in Volkswagen Group affairs, after causing a stink at the massive Wolfsburg assembly plant, where VW is experiencing labor unrest amid a bumpy rollout for its new MQB based cars.
Osterloh's appointment to the VWoA board and the organization of Chattanooga workers under the auspices of the UAW may simply be the price that Chattanooga has to pay for getting the new 7-seat VW crossover. VW, ever careful not to piss off IG Metall, has never adopted an anti-UAW stance despite insider reports claiming that unionization was not a desired outcome. But in the spirit of "Solidarity Forever", IG Metall appears to determined to bring their UAW brothers into the plant, even if they have to let them in via the side door.
The post UAW, IG Metall Working To Jointly Organize Chattanooga VW Plant appeared first on The Truth About Cars.
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