Haley, Norquist Vow To Block Organized Labor From The South

Cameron Aubernon
by Cameron Aubernon

Days after the United Auto Workers found themselves outside the gate at the Volkswagen plant in Chatanooga, Tenn., South Carolina governor Nikki Haley and Republican lobbyist Grover Norquist have vowed to do all they can to ensure that the Southeastern United States will never see unionization in the region’s auto industry and beyond.

The Greenville News and Reuters report Norquist outlined an anti-union strategy meant to empower fellow Republicans, such as Gov. Haley, in their ongoing war with unions with the ultimate outcome resulting in lowered campaign financing for their opponents running for office.

His group, the Center for Worker Freedom, battled the UAW’s efforts to unionize the VW plant in Tennessee for nearly a year before finding victory in the worker’s rejection of representation during the National Labor Relations Board-overseen three-day election last week. In turn, Norquist is directing the group toward other targets for unionization throughout the South using rhetoric — and funding from unknown sources — to drive the point home:

Everybody who wants to steal your guns is funded by the unions. Everybody who wants to raise your taxes is funded by the unions. Everybody who wants to borrow too much money is funded by the unions. Whatever center-right issue you care about, the unions are on the other team. Unions aren’t good at anything.”

Meanwhile, Gov. Haley’s goal for labor relations in South Carolina is to head off the unionization drive at the pass, shutting out companies with organized labor as well as those who would “taint the water” with organization for as long as she remains governor:

They’re coming into South Carolina. They’re trying. We’re hearing it. The good news is it’s not working.

You’ve heard me say many times I wear heels. It’s not for a fashion statement. It’s because we’re kicking them every day, and we’ll continue to kick them.

Haley’s statement reflects a battle between her state and the NLRB in 2009 over Boeing’s desire to build a factory for the aerospace company’s Dreamliner in North Charleston, which the NLRB believed was done in retaliation over past union-led strikes in the company’s native state of Washington; the complaint was later dropped.

South Carolina is home to non-union transplants, including BMW, Michelin and Boeing, though Haley’s Democratic opponent in this year’s gubernatorial race, State Senator Vincent Sheheen, would welcome companies such as Ford and General Motors — and their organized labor — if it meant more jobs for the state:

We need good, high-paying jobs in South Carolina. Part of leadership is putting ideology and partisanship to the side when there’s something that could be good for South Carolina.


Cameron Aubernon
Cameron Aubernon

Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.

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  • 95_SC 95_SC on Feb 23, 2014

    I am not a fan of the modern mega unions like the UAW, but the relationship between an employer and an employee is between that employer and employee to include if one side decides they wish to be represented. I don't really see a government role here.

    • Thornmark Thornmark on Feb 24, 2014

      If you see no role for government, then there should be no labor law. The people of TN elected people to represent their interests, which includes their investment in the VW plant. I don't think labor law can silence a US Senator or State governor. And w/ management working w/ the UAW against what we now know is the majority of voting workers, isn't it nice that someone stood up for that same majority? Basically the UAW wanted no opposition from the locals. "Labor lawyers said there is little precedent for the NLRB to consider objections to organizing elections based on third-party interference. Typically allegations of meddling are aimed at the company, said Art Schwartz, president of Labor and Economics Associates, Ann Arbor, Mich., consultants. "It will be a tough one to win. How do you tell public officials they can't speak on this subject?" Mr. Schwartz asked. "In reality it wasn't the company they had to worry about. It was the overall attitude of the community toward unions." http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304914204579397313637583416 Little noted is a certain politician who bailed out the UAW-organized auto industry against the wishes of the public, making remarks, such as accusing those opposed to the UAW at VW as being more interested in German shareholders than their own constituents. "Obama weighs in on contentious union vote at Volkswagen plant" http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/14/us-autos-vw-election-idUSBREA1D1DP20140214

  • Its me Dave Its me Dave on Feb 24, 2014

    While I've grown up sympathetic to workers' rights, I really don't mind all the recent hate on unions. However, I really wish the politicians and "job creators" would realize that there are only 2 possible conditions that will allow a union drive to be successful: bad (incompetent) management or bad (evil) management.

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