UAW releases videos amid negotiations with Volkswagen Chattanooga

From Local 3 News: The United Auto Workers (UAW) union released a new video on Wednesday featuring Volkswagen Chattanooga employees as contract negotiations continue. The UAW emphasized that its members are determined to raise standards and improve working conditions at the plant.

"I've never had the desire to be rich. I just want to be able to provide for my family and do normal American dream stuff," said Caleb Michalski, a Volkswagen bargaining committee member.

Wednesday's video is the latest installment in the UAW’s ongoing series highlighting key contract demands during negotiations with Volkswagen Chattanooga. Titled "Higher Wages," the video features three Volkswagen employees discussing the financial challenges they face.

"We should be making more than what we making because Volkswagen is a big industry. They got enough money to buy all three Big Threes. We not asking for nothing that they don't have because we all know it's corporate greed," said Letonja Berry, an assembly logistics worker at Volkswagen.

Negotiations between the UAW and Volkswagen began in September, with members advocating for better wages, affordable health care, stronger workplace safety standards, paid leave, protections against unjust discipline, and a voice in workplace decision-making.
In its most recent update on contract negotiations, the UAW noted that while Volkswagen has increased its wage offer and cost-of-living allowance, the proposal still falls short of the standards set for unionized auto workers in the United States.

"We should be paid like the rest of the autoworkers in the U.S.," said Chris Brown, a Volkswagen bargaining committee member.

A comparison chart presented by the UAW illustrates that the signing bonus offered by Volkswagen is only half of what workers at the Big Three automakers received. The union also highlighted ongoing concerns about health care benefits, which they claim have seen minimal improvement.

"I have three kids. Is their care covered? Am I at the right doctor? How is that going to impact me financially? I should never have to worry about that. I work for the world's largest auto manufacturer," said Billy Quigg, another bargaining committee member.

In response to these concerns, Volkswagen issued this statement;
"We are making progress in all key economic areas to find common ground and get our employees a great deal. Volkswagen’s latest contract offer makes improvements to wages, bonuses, the cost-of-living allowance, and health care. And we are continuing to negotiate. We are listening to employee feedback and getting creative to meet as many demands as we can, while also making sure we can secure jobs in Chattanooga in the future. Both sides have more work to do to reach a deal, and we will keep our employees updated as we continue to make progress."