United States: the UAW strikes an historic victory in the U.S. south during union elections at a Volkswagen plant in Tennessee

The United Auto Workers union UAW has finally got its foot in the door of the Volkswagen plant at Chattanooga in Tennessee. The skilled trades workers on the Passat assembly line voted by 108 in favor (44 against) of joining the union. For several years the German automaker has been trying to establish union representation for all of the plant’s workers and sees this vote as frustrating its efforts. As a result it will be appealing this vote.
Enjoy this article for free while you’re in your trial period
You have access to our content for 1 month.

An historic victory for the UAW in the American South. Not all of Chattanooga’s 1,450 plant workers were actually called to vote. Back in February 2014 a campaign for setting up union representation had sparked much political controversy (c.f. article No. 8181). Nevertheless UAW consistently maintained a presence in the South and constantly attempts to win over workers at the foreign automakers (Nissan, Mercedes Benz, Volkswagen…) with several different initiatives.

In November 2015, the UAW tur

Do you have information to share with us?
What you absolutely must read this week
The essential content of the week selected by the editorial team.
See all
TRENDS IN 2026 — Reducing workplace absence at all costs: a major challenge for Europe
Workplace absence is on the rise across Europe, particularly among women, older employees and, since the Covid-19 pandemic, young people under the age of 30. Faced with this growing problem, some...
14 January 2026
Italy: banking group Intesa Sanpaolo sharpens focus on quality of life at work
Over the Christmas period Intesa Sanpaolo, Italy's largest bank, penned with trade unions a deal to renew the first part of the company agreement, covering work-life balance, inclusion, parenthood...
14 January 2026
Vincent Lecerf (Orange): “Equality and diversity are competitive advantages for us”
Following the signing of a new agreement on professional equality and diversity in December, the chief HR officer of French multinational telecommunications corporation Orange Group, Vincent...
13 January 2026
United Kingdom: government urged to legislate against forced labour
After consulting victims, businesses and NGOs, the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner (IASC) has published a report showing that the UK is lagging behind in the fight against forced labour. The...
13 January 2026
Most viewed articles of the month on mind HR
What readers clicked on the most last month.
What readers clicked on the most last month.
1
EU: social partners in telecoms sign joint statement on AI
On 16 December, the social partners in Europe's telecommunications sector unveiled a joint statement on artificial intelligence. They propose an action plan for skills and commit to raising...
18 December 2025
2
Italy: collective agreement for rubber and plastics sector focuses on new skills
A month ahead of schedule, the Federazione Gomma Plastica employers' organisation and the Filctem-Cgil, Femca-Cisl and Uiltec trade unions have renewed the collective agreement for the rubber and...
5 January 2026
3
France: social partner talks extend far beyond contractual terminations
After a false start on 3 December, French social partners resumed talks on 7 January 2026 on potential changes to the unemployment insurance agreement, including the rules governing compensation...
12 January 2026
4
Italy: banking group Intesa Sanpaolo sharpens focus on quality of life at work
Over the Christmas period Intesa Sanpaolo, Italy's largest bank, penned with trade unions a deal to renew the first part of the company agreement, covering work-life balance, inclusion, parenthood...
14 January 2026