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DETROIT (Reuters) – The United Auto Workers (UAW) union announced on Thursday that it has lodged unfair labor practice allegations against Volkswagen. The union claims the automaker is attempting to reduce the workforce at its Tennessee facility, where it is currently engaged in negotiations for its initial contract following a successful election last year.
UAW President Shawn Fain expressed concerns about Volkswagen’s actions, labeling them as “unacceptable, anti-union, anti-worker, and anti-American.” He stated that the union has brought these issues to the attention of the Trump Administration.
In response, a representative from Volkswagen clarified that the decision to shift to a two-shift production model at the Tennessee plant was a precautionary measure due to a decline in demand for electric vehicles (EVs). The Chattanooga facility is responsible for the assembly of the ID.4 electric SUV.
The automaker has introduced a “voluntary attrition program” for production employees, which encompasses a severance package, various retirement options, and additional benefits to support the transition. The company emphasized its ongoing commitment to its employees, customers, and the Chattanooga community, asserting that this operational change aligns with that commitment.
The UAW’s successful election at the Chattanooga factory in April marked a historic moment, as it became the first auto plant in the southern United States to unionize through an election process since the 1940s, and notably, the first foreign-owned auto plant in the region to achieve this status.
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finance.yahoo.com