Tennessee Volkswagen workers are demanding unionization, according to the United Auto Workers.
A statement from the union on Thursday revealed that over 1,000 employees at VW’s Chattanooga factory have signed union cards with the UAW, marking a significant victory in their efforts to organize workers at nonunion automakers.
The union claims that workers at the Tennessee plant have long complained about mistreatment by management, long working hours, and low pay.
If the factory ultimately signs with the UAW, it will be the first VW plant in the U.S. to do so. The factory employs around 3,800 people and produces the Atlas brand of SUVs and some of VW’s electric cars.
The UAW plans to hold union elections once at least 70% of workers have signed cards.
This news of substantial support for unionization at VW follows the UAW’s nationwide campaign to unionize numerous nonorganized factories. While progress has been slow, the union has reported that thousands of workers from across the country have visited the union’s website to sign union cards.
The union hopes that workers will take notice of the favorable contracts it has secured for members at Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis, and vote in favor of unionizing. The union has previously attempted to organize nonunion shops with little success.
VW and other nonunion automakers in the U.S. have taken measures to discourage their workers from organizing. Last month, VW granted its workers at the Chattanooga plant an 11% raise. Toyota, Hyundai, and Honda have also announced raises.