VW threatens to block any future expansion plans in the South, citing conservative interference [View all]

[kpete]

Reuters reports this morning that Volkswagen’s “top labor representative” has threatened to block any future expansion plans in the South, citing conservative interference in the United Auto Workers vote in Chattanooga.

Quoting an interview with a German newspaper, the news service reports Bernd Osterloh, head of VW’s works council, as saying he can imagine further expansion in the United States, but it probably won’t be in the South unless some sort of labor representation is established in the Chattanooga plant. Workers in Germany have representation on corporate boards, giving them a say in citing decisions.

Osterloh’s remarks seem to contradict statements by U.S. Sen. Bob Corker and others that Chattanooga would get another vehicle if workers rejected UAW representation. Osterloh describes such talk as conservative “interference.”

On the other hand, the debate may not be over. The Associated Press quotes Osterloh as saying he hasn’t given up on bringing labor representation to Chattanooga, citing the same interview.



http://blogs.tennessean.com/politics/2014/report-vw-labor-chief-says-uaw-vote-could-cost-south-future-cars/