Tennessee Volkswagen Plant Workers Reject Unionization

This story is incredible, but true. Workers in the U.S. Volkswagen plant located in Chattanooga, Tennessee just voted down a plan on unionization, despite the German automaker giving its blessing.

The complex currently assembles only Volkswagen Passat models destined for North American markets.

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712 workers refused to unionize, while 626 were ready to join the United Auto Workers (UAW). In total, 89% of the people concerned voted.

The powerful American union has never managed to get itself into an American factory belonging to a foreign manufacturer.

The union's efforts were heavily combatted by Republican lobbyists in the area. The vote is a major blow to the UAW and to unions in general which have seen membership steadily decline in recent years.