Anti-Union VW Workers Go To Court To Keep Company ‘Neutral’ Next Time

Volkswagen has 62 plants across the globe. 61 of them are unionized. In Germany, the employees are represented by IG Metall. Credit: VW

Three workers at Volkswagen’s Chattanooga plant have sued the automaker in federal court. They accuse the company of aiding the United Auto Workers in a failed unionization effort, and they hope to keep the company from doing it again.

The UAW wants another vote because of what it considered outside interference. And the National Labor Relations Board is currently weighing the facts.

If the NLRB decides workers need to vote again, this lawsuit asks that VW not be allowed to keep employees on the clock while they listen to union organizers.

Federal rules do prevent companies from offering a “thing of value” to unions. Plaintiff Mike Jarvis, who works in the body shop, says Volkswagen crossed the line.

If you’re neutral, you’re not going to pay employees to attend a UAW meeting.

Jarvis is getting free legal help from the National Right to Work Foundation.

UAW president Bob King counters by saying the organization has a history of filing “frivolous lawsuits.”