Chattanooga, Tennessee – In a historic victory for the United Auto Workers (UAW), Volkswagen workers in Chattanooga overwhelmingly voted to join the union, marking a significant shift in the traditionally anti-union South. The final results from the National Labor Review Board revealed that nearly three quarters of the workers supported the UAW out of the 4,326 eligible voters, with over 3,600 ballots cast during the three-day election.

The atmosphere at the union hall at I.B.E.W. Local 175 was electric as first a trickle, then a wave of bold red T-shirts with white lettering flooded the room on Friday evening. Joseph McMullen, a quality department worker and Alabama native, was taken aback by the strong pro-union display on the projection screen. The moment of victory was met with jubilation as members of the crowd erupted in cheers and hugs, with UAW president Shawn Fain arriving to congratulate the VW workers.

The outcome of the election defied strong opposition from a coalition of six Southern governors, including Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, who had urged workers to reject unions in a letter prior to the vote. President Joe Biden addressed the governors directly, emphasizing the right of American workers to form a union if they choose to do so. The UAW’s successful organizing efforts at the VW plant mark a significant milestone in their ongoing campaign to expand membership in the South, a region historically resistant to organized labor.

Despite previous failed attempts in 2013 and 2019, the UAW’s persistence paid off with this pivotal victory, showcasing their renewed strength under Fain’s leadership. The success at the VW plant sets the stage for a forthcoming challenge as workers at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, prepare to vote on unionization in May. Fain’s optimistic outlook underscores the UAW’s commitment to further growth and expansion in the region.

The union’s ability to secure support among Southern workers reflects a changing landscape in the automotive industry, with a shift towards Southern states as key manufacturing hubs for both domestic and foreign automakers. The UAW’s recent successes, such as the strike against major automakers Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis, have bolstered their momentum and credibility, setting the stage for future organizing efforts in the South. As Fain aptly remarks, “This is a new day and we’re just getting started.”