Volkswagen Chattanooga workers vote to authorize strike amid contract talks

From Local 3 News: UPDATE: Workers at Volkswagen’s Chattanooga plant have officially voted to authorize a strike if negotiations for a new labor contract fail, according to an update from the United Auto Workers (UAW).

Under the UAW Constitution, a two-thirds majority is required to approve a strike. Union officials say employees at the Chattanooga facility “met that threshold — and then some.”

The vote gives the UAW bargaining committee the authority to call a strike should it become necessary in their efforts to secure what they describe as a “fair contract.”

“This is not a step any of us have taken lightly,” the statement reads. “Our goal is to avoid a strike. But what happens next depends on how the company responds.”

If a strike is called, union members will receive $500 per week in strike pay and continued medical coverage, according to the UAW.

"This is not something that says we are going to strike. A strike is nothing that we want. A strike is something that a company forces on the workers. We have moved all of our proposals back to the company, they refuse to move. We move again and they refuse to move... They have put us in a position where all we can do is strike. That is the company's choice to put us on a strike. We didn’t choose to do it. They have forced us into this position," said Steve Cochran, a member of UAW's Bargaining Committee.
 
Union leaders said they plan to continue negotiations with Volkswagen and will provide updates in the coming days.

“Our labor is our leverage,” the update stated. “This vote shows the company that we are not going to accept less than we are worth... It’s time for Volkswagen to come back to the table and avoid a costly strike.”

Volkswagen Group of America Statement:

“Despite the UAW’s decision to authorize a strike, our commitment to our workforce and to reaching a fair agreement remains unchanged. We have a strong final offer on the table with substantial benefits for our employees that the UAW refused to bring to a vote. Disruption will only further delay a resolution without guaranteeing a better contract.

A strike would be harmful to everyone at VW Chattanooga and our community. If a strike is called, we are committed to ensuring any employees who choose to do so can come to work safely and will continue to receive their full pay and benefits.”