County Commissioner Tim Boyd said Thursday that allowing the United Auto Workers (UAW) into the Chattanooga Volkswagen plant would be "like a cancer on economic growth in Hamilton County."
He asked Commission Chairman Larry Henry to consider drafting a letter in support of the stance of Governor Bill Haslam, who said he did not believe the move was in the best interest of the county and state.
Chairman Henry said he would look further into the situation, but he said he had been advised that Volkswagen had "backed off" the union plan.
Commissioner Boyd said he believes if the unionization proceeds that it could threaten the county's chances of getting several new auto suppliers.
He said the Chamber of Commerce and the Chattanooga Regional Manufacturers Association back the governor's position.
He said the county had made "tremendous concessions" to lure Volkswagen here and needed to insure the investment continues to pan out.