Volkswagen Won't Let UAW In

Bertel Schmitt
by Bertel Schmitt

Don Jackson, manager of Volkswagen’s spanking-new plant in Chattanooga, dispelled rumors that unionization of the VW works is imminent. “No one from the UAW has visited the plant, or asked to visit,” Jackson told Bernie Woodall of Reuters. Jackson said that neither he nor anyone else at the new VW plant has been in contact with UAW representatives, and dismissed talks about the UAW representing workers at the plant as “speculation.”

When Reuters asked Jackson whether he would let UAW reps in, Jackson answered: “Probably not, unless the team members really want them to come in. It’s up to the team members to decide” if they want to be unionized.

“Team” meaning the workers.


Bertel Schmitt
Bertel Schmitt

Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.

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  • I_Like_Pie I_Like_Pie on Aug 01, 2011

    I wish I could link to the last VW UAW article. I would point to my great big "Told Ya So" Us Chattanoogan's do not fancy a union carpetbag threat.

  • Pgcooldad Pgcooldad on Aug 02, 2011

    No one misses a union 'till they need one.

  • Vento97 Vento97 on Aug 02, 2011

    "Friends don't let friends join the UAW..."

  • Thornmark Thornmark on Aug 02, 2011

    VW already tried the UAW. Japanese manufacturers followed VWoA's failed UAW unionized plant into production in the U.S. – acheiving success at non-unionized plants including Honda at their Marysville, Ohio, plant and Toyota at their Georgetown, Kentucky, plant. Toyota couldn't get rid of their CA UAW plant fast enough and we all know what a success the UAW Mazda plant has been.

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