In a historic vote, Tennessee Volkswagen workers get their first union contract
NPR • • general
Key Points:
- Volkswagen workers in Chattanooga, Tennessee, ratified their first union contract with the United Auto Workers (UAW), securing a $6,550 signing bonus, a 20% wage increase by 2030, reduced healthcare premiums, additional days off, and job security protections.
- This union victory is rare in the Southern U.S., especially for a foreign automaker's plant outside the traditional "Big 3" automakers, marking a significant milestone for the UAW's efforts to expand unionization in the region.
- The contract includes commitments from Volkswagen to keep the plant open and maintain production levels, addressing workers' concerns about job security and plant closure.
- Despite this success, unionization efforts in the South face challenges, as seen in
