Tennessee Governor Bill Lee expressed his disapproval on Monday of the recent decision by workers at a Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga to unionize under the United Auto Workers (UAW). Despite his belief that the workers made a mistake, Governor Lee acknowledged that the choice ultimately rested with them.
Prior to the unionization vote, Governor Lee and five other Southern Republican governors publicly opposed the UAW's efforts to organize workers in the region, citing concerns about potential job losses. However, the UAW secured a significant victory with 73% of the vote at the Volkswagen plant, which had previously rejected union representation in 2019 and 2014.
The outcome of the vote at the Volkswagen plant followed a series of strikes against Detroit automakers last fall, resulting in improved contracts for workers. Workers at Mercedes factories near Tuscaloosa, Alabama, are set to vote on UAW representation in May.
Governor Lee, who comes from a background of working with skilled labor at his family's business, Lee Company, expressed his belief that relying on others for one's future is unwise. While he viewed the workers' decision to unionize as a mistake, he respected their right to make that choice based on their specific circumstances.
The successful unionization at the Volkswagen plant marked a significant milestone for the UAW, as it was the first victory at a Southern assembly plant owned by a foreign automaker. President Joe Biden criticized Governor Lee and other Southern Republican governors for attempting to influence the workers' vote against unionization, emphasizing the importance of workers' rights to organize.
In response to the efforts to undermine the unionization vote, President Biden affirmed the rights of American workers to use their voice and legal right to form unions if they so choose, highlighting the positive impact of unions in various industries.
