Apparently, as UAW bosses from Detroit try to unionize Volkswagen’s plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, they are aghast that there are “outside influences” like Grover Norquist’s Americans for Tax Reform, which is causing them heartburn.
As a result, UAW bosses (along with pro-UAW VW employees) issued a press release today calling on “outsiders” to leave Chattanooga and let Volkswagen employees to decide on representation.
The ironic thing is that the UAW has planted organizers from outside of Chattanooga to sway employees’ votes.
“Outsiders are pouring money into Chattanooga to try to sway our votes, but they haven’t spent a day in our plant, and don’t know what it’s like to want to have a voice while you work hard to make an honest living,” said Volkswagen worker Eric Delacy. “Lobbyists from Washington who are funding this campaign don’t understand that when they pack up and move on to the next fight, we’ll still be here. This is our community, and our workplace – and we should be making the decisions about our future. These outside special interests should leave the vote to those that it actually matters to – the workers and their families.”
“Other politicians should follow the lead of Senator Corker and respect these workers’ right to make up their own minds,” said UAW Region 8 Director Gary Casteel.
Lobbyists from Washington? Really?
Has the UAW bothered to look in the mirror?
The International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (commonly known as United Auto Workers) is one of the most politically active of all unions. At the end of 2008 it focused primarily on obtaining federal taxpayer funds for the ailing automakers, sending labor representatives to testify alongside management executives at congressional hearings.
