Chattanooga’s Local 3 News is reporting that Volkswagen workers have begun an effort to decertify the United Auto Workers union there.
The petition to break with the UAW needs the signatures of 30% of workers at the facility in order to trigger an election by the National Labor Relations Board. If a majority of workers vote to decertify, they would no longer be represented by the auto union.
The move by VW workers comes amid a standoff between the UAW and VW over the terms of the collective bargaining agreement at the Chattanooga plant. VW says it has made its “best and final” contract offer.
VW is offering a 20% raise over four years and a $4,000 signing bonus.
Workers who launched the petition effort say employees should take the raise “without all the drama” and rid themselves of the UAW.
The UAW has not allowed members to vote on whether to accept the contract offer.
Local 3 News quotes VW spokesperson Michael Lowder: “As employees’ exclusive bargaining representative, only the UAW can bring it (the contract) to a vote, which we have asked them to do.”