Anti-UAW Group Authorized To Represent Workers At Chattanooga VW Plant
As part of a new arrangement, Volkswagen is allowing more than one group to represent VW workers at its plant at Chattanooga, Tennessee. And while the UAW has managed to secure that privilege, VW is also allowing another, small group to represent workers.
The American Council of Employees (ACE), an anti-UAW union based in Chattanooga, has been allowed to discuss labor matters with management at Chattanooga. Reuters reports that the group has managed to prove to VW (via a third party auditor) that it represents at least 15 percent of Chattanooga’s work force. By contrast, the UAW has about 45 percent of the work force, and will get increased access to management compared to the ACE. Neither group has a monopoly on collective bargaining rights for the plant.
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The "American Council of Employees?" I am neither pro or anti union, but I have to wonder if this is a front group representing anti-union interests...this is going to get interesting.
The UAW rubs me the wrong way. I generally don't favor unions as the govt has taken over much of their historical raison d'être, but I also try not to be anti-union, either. But even with that restraint, I just can't get past thinking the UAW often does more harm than good. I understand the desire to keep the UAW out of Chattanooga, but I don't understand creating a 'union' with the ulterior motive of fighting the UAW. TN's right to work status ought to protects workers that do not want UAW representation, and I don't know if having an alternative organization adds anything. I could see if VW has meetings with both, a second group could prevent implementing some bad ideas the UAW might push, but if VW is willing to implement bad policies to their detriment, what difference would a second union really have?
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It will be interesting to see what happens. Maybe the UAW will go retro and use goons again to instill fear.