Norquist: "The ability to say 'no thank you' to union control and union dues is a basic civil right that is restored today to the people of Wisconsin."

Tennessee Got More Than It Bargained For in Chattanooga

“Would you rather?” is a pretty simple children’s game.

For example, would you rather your best friend skip your party, or come with their annoying friend?

Eric Wilson, Volkswagen Maintenance Specialist and U.S. army veteran, was suspended from work until further notice for voicing his displeasure with his superiors, who ignored the results of a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) election and granted limited recognition to the United Auto Workers (UAW).

The Center for Worker Freedom’s Matt Patterson and Margaret Mire recently co-authored an article for the Washington Examiner about Wilson’s story.

Are Volkswagen executives are undermining the democratic process? 

On Valentine’s Day 2014, Volkswagen, Chattanooga workers rejected the United Auto Workers (UAW) in a representation election.  However, over a year later, the union is still around. How so?

In November 2014, Volkswagen executives announced a new policy that gives limited recognition to all “eligible organizations.”  The UAW, now known in Chattanooga as the “Local 42,” fits this category.

But Volkswagen executives did not stop there.

The Center for Worker Freedom’s Matt Patterson recently discussed right-to-work on The Diane Rehm Show.  Other guests included Melanie Trottman, reporter for The Wall Street Journal, Philip Dine, journalist and author of “State of the Unions,” and Ross Eisenbrey, vice president of Economic Policy Institute. 

To listen to the show, click here.

Roy Exum’s recent Chattanoogan.com column highlights the latest chapter of the United Auto Workers (UAW) at the NTN-Bower Corporation in Hamilton, Alabama.  After a series of elections – all of which were declared invalid – the workers there were finally able to decertify the UAW from their workplace. 

In his column, Exum notes that other auto plant workers in the south should be alarmed at the UAW’s desperation to stay in Hamilton.  The union is frantically trying “to organize before this summer’s pivotal meetings with the ‘Big Three’ automakers in Detroit.”

A recent Washington Times editorial highlighted Volkswagen, Chattanooga’s continuing dance with the United Auto Workers (UAW) and the American Council of Employees (ACE). 

Volkswagen policy gives all “eligible organizations” opportunities “to engage in constructive dialogue with Volkswagen and its employees.” The policy is broken into three tiers, membership greater than 15, 30 and 45 percent, giving more access to human resources personnel and the like to organizations with more worker support.

The Washington Examiner recently highlighted the latest labor-related developments at Volkswagen in Chattanooga, Tennessee.  The Center for Worker Freedom’s Matt Patterson was quoted in the article, noting the union-free status of the plant:

‘Matt Patterson, executive director of the Center for Worker Freedom, an affiliate of the conservative Americans for Tax Reform, noted that "Both groups are essentially unofficial, voluntary clubs and Volkswagen, Chattanooga remains union-free — for now."’

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) has been orchestrating work slowages at ports along the West Coast for months.  Contracts between the ILWU and the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA), negotiator for businesses in maritime agreements with the ILWU, expired in July and they have yet to reach a new agreement.

The Center for Worker Freedom’s Matt Patterson discussed the terror these slowages are bringing to the economy recently in Fox News Opinion, where he wrote:

A recent International Business Times article highlighted the latest labor-related developments at the Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where workers from the American Council of Employees (ACE) have petitioned the company for limited recognition.

The Center for Worker Freedom’s Matt Patterson was quoted in this article explaining the problem with ACE’s recognition:

‘Patterson…said he’s skeptical of the group’s decision to bargain with Volkswagen.