UAW files federal charges after VW announces switch to two-shift production model
From Local 3 News: The United Automobile Workers (UAW) union has filed federal labor charges against Volkswagen over what it claims are violations of U.S. labor laws at its Chattanooga plant.
The UAW claims that VW is making major changes without lawfully negotiating with the union.News of the federal charges comes after the automaker announced on Thursday that it was asking employees to voluntarily quit their jobs as the company switches to a two-shift production team.
The UAW said the move shows "a continuing trend of union-busting tactics by Volkswagen aimed at silencing American workers."

UAW President Shawn Fain said the following after filing the charges:
“Nearly a year ago, thousands of Volkswagen workers in Chattanooga voted to join the UAW, to win the respect and dignified life that union autoworkers at the Big Three have enjoyed for generations.
Since then, the company has failed to meet the basic standard at the bargaining table that 150,000 American autoworkers have won at Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis.
Volkswagen is the second most profitable automaker in the world. On Tuesday, the company reported over $20 billion in profits in 2024. And on Wednesday, they announced their intention to cut a shift at their single American plant, in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
This is a company that makes 75% of their North American products in Mexico, paying highly exploited workers around $7 an hour to sell cars for tens of thousands of dollars in the US. They do this to avoid paying a living wage and drive a race to the bottom in the auto industry. It’s bad for workers everywhere.
And instead of coming to a fair agreement for their American autoworkers in Tennessee, Volkswagen is choosing to attack American auto jobs.
The UAW has notified the Trump Administration of Volkswagen’s unacceptable, anti-union, anti-worker, and anti-American conduct. It is no accident that they want to ram through a layoff in America in the days before expected auto tariffs take effect, as they profit from high exploitation labor in Mexico.
The 4,000 autoworkers in Chattanooga deserve better. America deserves better. And the UAW is going to fight like hell to deliver for Chattanooga, for Volkswagen autoworkers, and for the whole working class.”
Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp released the following statement about VW's shift model change and the UAW's allegations:
“Unfortunately, we are already experiencing the negative impacts of the UAW’s presence in Hamilton County. In most communities where the UAW has gained a foothold, their lofty promises to employees have, in reality, led to job losses and dysfunction.”
The UAW was encouraging its members to participate in a 1:30 p.m. rally at the automaker's plant in Chattanooga on Thursday.
The UAW claims that VW is making major changes without lawfully negotiating with the union.News of the federal charges comes after the automaker announced on Thursday that it was asking employees to voluntarily quit their jobs as the company switches to a two-shift production team.
The UAW said the move shows "a continuing trend of union-busting tactics by Volkswagen aimed at silencing American workers."

UAW President Shawn Fain said the following after filing the charges:
“Nearly a year ago, thousands of Volkswagen workers in Chattanooga voted to join the UAW, to win the respect and dignified life that union autoworkers at the Big Three have enjoyed for generations.
Since then, the company has failed to meet the basic standard at the bargaining table that 150,000 American autoworkers have won at Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis.
Volkswagen is the second most profitable automaker in the world. On Tuesday, the company reported over $20 billion in profits in 2024. And on Wednesday, they announced their intention to cut a shift at their single American plant, in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
This is a company that makes 75% of their North American products in Mexico, paying highly exploited workers around $7 an hour to sell cars for tens of thousands of dollars in the US. They do this to avoid paying a living wage and drive a race to the bottom in the auto industry. It’s bad for workers everywhere.
And instead of coming to a fair agreement for their American autoworkers in Tennessee, Volkswagen is choosing to attack American auto jobs.
The UAW has notified the Trump Administration of Volkswagen’s unacceptable, anti-union, anti-worker, and anti-American conduct. It is no accident that they want to ram through a layoff in America in the days before expected auto tariffs take effect, as they profit from high exploitation labor in Mexico.
The 4,000 autoworkers in Chattanooga deserve better. America deserves better. And the UAW is going to fight like hell to deliver for Chattanooga, for Volkswagen autoworkers, and for the whole working class.”
Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp released the following statement about VW's shift model change and the UAW's allegations:
“Unfortunately, we are already experiencing the negative impacts of the UAW’s presence in Hamilton County. In most communities where the UAW has gained a foothold, their lofty promises to employees have, in reality, led to job losses and dysfunction.”
The UAW was encouraging its members to participate in a 1:30 p.m. rally at the automaker's plant in Chattanooga on Thursday.
Posted in Local News
Recent
82 Tennessee counties report unemployment rates below 5%
March 14th, 2025
Blood Assurance faces critical shortage of O-neg blood, urges public to donate
March 14th, 2025
UAW files federal charges after VW announces switch to two-shift production model
March 14th, 2025
Hamilton County launches first overdose prevention team in Tennessee
March 13th, 2025
Code Orange air quality alert issued on Wednesday
March 13th, 2025
Archive
2025
January
Motorcycle driver killed in single-vehicle crashTBI investigating deadly deputy-involved shooting at local Publix locationDriver rams New Year's revelers in New Orleans, killing at least 10. FBI investigating as 'act of terrorism'TVA winter prep, saving energy tipsLakesite man arrested, arson and possession of Molotov cocktailUPDATE: Car that veered over side of East Brow Road still unrecoveredCold weather car preparationNew Tennessee license requirement for certain state residentsDog helps save North Chattanooga family from early morning fireLee University mourns passing of veteran faculty, Coach Kay McDanielCleveland City Board of Education meeting recapBradley County Commission meeting recapTDOT preparing Tennessee Valley for possible winter weather this weekBradley Trustee's Office receives positive state audit for 2023-2024 fiscal yearDownload Mix 104.1 App for winter weather updatesBonnaroo Music & Arts Festival Unveils 2025 LineupCohutta mobile home fire kills grandmother, mother, and young childrenCar crashes into Etowah Nutrition storeSerious car crash on Highway 153 Thursday eveningFood City in Cleveland celebrating Grand Opening of pharmacyTEMA holds media briefing to discuss winter storm preparationsRecent snowfall helps HCSO arrest wanted fugitive from GeorgiaCleveland State's Mark E. Smith Performance Center Grand Opening to be held on WednesdayMan arrested for shooting at family playing in snowCleveland City Council meeting recapSearch warrant reveals multiple containers of fentanyl, Sweetwater man arrestedBradley County Commission meeting recapOpponents of Governor Bill Lee's school voucher bill holding rally in Hamilton CountyWater main break shuts down part of Shallowford Rd. for 24-hoursLocal state senator coauthors bill to ban electronic devices in Tennessee classrooms46-year-old woman killed in crash on Apison PikeWoman & man found dead after shooting in Rhea Co. WednesdayLee University to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.Bradley County School Board meeting recapCleveland Mayor Kevin Brooks delivers State of the City addressTwo TN lawmakers agree to sponsor bill to change state's statute of limitations on some privacy lawsPOST Commission approves deal allowing Grundy Co. Sheriff to keep certificationDalton man arrested after shooting at woman, SWAT standoffTrump taps former TN education commissioner Penny Schwinn as next US Deputy Secretary of EducationCPD investigates pedestrian killed on Highway 153; truck slams into TDOT vehicle on sceneGarden Plaza hosts Warming Hearts Coat DriveHamilton County woman fighting to get husband out of prisonLee University's Presidential Concert Series to present Alan Wyatt Jazz EnsembleSweetwater woman arrested and charged with murder and elderly abuseBradley County deputies arrest suspect in attempted burglary at CBD storeJason Chen sentenced to life in prison without parole for murder of Jasmine PaceSettlement reached in Family Dollar Stores rodent-infested products investigation in TNCleveland City Schools Board of Education opposes Gov. Lee's Education Freedom ActBradley County Commission meeting recapVolkswagen offers new proposal to UAWNashville high school student fatally shoots one student and himself in school cafeteriaTVA sets new power demand record on very cold dayGov. Lee comments on Freedom Education Act, illegal immigrationCleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce hosts 99th Annual DinnerTennessee ends 2024 with unemployment rate below U.S. rateTN Gov. Lee to deliver seventh State of the State Address on Feb. 10State report reveals how traffic control worker on I-75 between Ooltewah & Cleveland diedLee University Encore Art Show to open TuesdayMuch-loved BCSO K-9 Joker diesEx-husband of local realtor charged with first-degree murder MondayBradley County Commission work session recapSpecial session to decide on Tennessee voucher bill is underwayCity of Cleveland addresses KKK flyers circulating in Cleveland and ChattanoogaCleveland man charged with first degree and felony murder pleads not guiltyChattanooga business owner Rick Davis charged with passing worthless checksSen. Adam Lowe announces $2.9M site development grant for Spring BranchPassenger jet with 64 aboard collides with Army helicopter while landing at Reagan Airport near DCUPDATE: Case against Harrison man accused of shooting at family playing in snow sent to grand juryEducation Freedom Act passes both chambers of the Tennessee legislatureTwo crashes in Bradley Co. delay traffic while helicopter lands
February
Multiple vehicles involved in multiple accidents due to heavy fog in Athens SaturdayTennessee AG announces settlement in principle with NCAA to protect student-athletes' rights25th annual Great Strides Walk to take place March 29Lee University to host Honor Choir Concert Bradley County Commission meeting recapJudge frees Rhea Co. man after 30 years in prison for crimes he did not commitBradley County Schools alumna set to appear on American IdolNew area code use begins for area famously known as the "423"Rural Healthcare Grant awarded to Cleveland StateUAW releases videos amid negotiations with Volkswagen ChattanoogaTwo felons arrested after separate pursuits in East TennesseeDecatur home catches fire Wednesday morningMan killed in Thursday morning crash on Highway 60 in Meigs CountyI-24 EB reduced to two lanes Friday night to Tuesday morningFedEx to close facilities in Dalton & Cleveland this year; Chattanooga location to remain openCar crashes into Athens Women's Clinic Friday morningCleveland man accused of murdering his ex-wife to appear in court today for bond hearingCleveland State's Community Pitch Competition to be held March 25McMinn High School students arrested for conspiracy to commit act of terrorismSchools in the Tennessee Valley close amidst spike in flu casesJudge does not grant bond at Craig Liner hearing MondayBradley County Commission meeting recapGov. Lee delivers 2025 State of the State AddressBradley County Trustee releases schedule for satellite property tax collectionsCleveland celebrates 33rd consecutive year as Tree City USASeveral indicted in Tennessee in human trafficking ring tied to Venezuelan gangGov. Lee signs Education Freedom Act into lawRoad washes out in Polk CountyCleveland State to host free Valentine's concert todayBradley County School Board meeting recap