NYT: Chattanooga is a Lobbyist Battleground
On Tuesday, the New York Times published a look at the ongoing feud between pro- and anti-union forces at Volkswagen’s plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It paints a picture of a political battle fought mainly by outside forces, utilizing the deep pockets of some of the nation’s most powerful lobbying groups.
Steven Greenhouse’s story “Outsiders, Not Auto Plant, Battle U.A.W. in Tennessee” is mainly focused on the lobbying efforts of anti-union groups, including the freshly minted Center for Worker Freedom. The CWF is a subsidiary of Americans for Tax Reform, the well-known anti-tax group led by conservative titan Grover Norquist. Conservative commentator Matt Patterson heads the CWF, and has made it clear that he wants the UAW out of Chattanooga, telling the NYT
“Unions are a big driver of government. Unions are very political, the U.A.W. is one of the most political. If they help elect politicians who pass huge government programs, that requires taxes.”
Mr. Patterson has serious resources to call upon in his crusade. In a piece for conservative blog The Daily Caller, Mr. Patterson lambasted the UAW as a “ left-wing ATM machine.” He also criticized the sales difficulties in North America coupled with major layoffs last year have undoubtedly contributed to an exceptional climate at the plant, one unlike the other transplant factories. The future still holds many uncertainties for the friends and foes of organized labor.
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The domino effect that would be felt on the local level if VW workers unionize is the midsize, three row crossover being sent to Mexico, not Chattanooga, for assembly.
In short: Conservatives know that in the first world only the US is anti-union on any palpable level. Germany is the most-unionized but the rest of the first world is at various levels of unionization and isn't fought nearly as hard in a public way. Privately, for sure, no corporation wants to concede any part of their profit to workers or 'less for me and more for you' is bad in their world. As a labor scholar though I hate to break the bad news: Heavy and Light Industry labor unions will never rebound to the levels of the prior times. Service unions though will come to dominate the US by the end of this century barring some dramatic change in demographics. So, while I enjoy reading TTAC most of your views on unionism are minority views held by a demographic of Americans that are inclined to vote for a rural minority party that is faltering.