The American Council of Employees (ACE) on Wednesday "expressed serious concerns over recent comments made by UAW Local 42 president Mike Cantrell."
ACE officials said the remarks "reveal the UAW’s attempts to avoid an employee election and instead have Volkswagen recognize the union using a form of the controversial method known as 'card check'.”
ACE President Sean Moss said, “The VW-Chattanooga employees have repeatedly expressed our expectation that any decision on labor representation be made by the employees themselves, fairly and accurately through a secret ballot election.
We are all well aware of the threats and intimidation tactics used by the UAW to pressure workers in past card check campaigns.”
Maury Nicely, local lawyer and lead legal counsel for ACE, stated, “This move is incredibly suspect, showing once again that the UAW is counting on receiving support under the table from Volkswagen, so it can cut a back-room deal, without which it would not stand a chance of success. And now they are pushing Volkswagen to strip employees of their right to choose, and to unilaterally acknowledge the UAW as the exclusive representative. Obviously this is not in the best interests of the employees.”
ACE officials said, "From the start, VW-Chattanooga employees have indicated their interest in working with Volkswagen to create a works council at the Chattanooga facility. Recently, members of ACE met with VW management to present a legal framework and outline for implementation of a works council model."
David Reed, ACE vice president, said, “The UAW is not interested in a works council. They are interested in creating the same old run-of-the-mill, Detroit–style union here in Chattanooga. Nothing new, nothing innovative, nothing different.”
“The UAW knows, as we do, that the concept of a works council is simply incompatible legally with exclusive union representation,” said attorney Nicely.
“The UAW is afraid of suffering another setback,” commented Mr. Moss. “ACE has just taken very real steps towards establishing a works council in Chattanooga, providing management with a legal framework and outline for implementation. With the majority of VW-Chattanooga employees wanting a works council but not wanting to join the UAW, this is a real setback for them. The UAW is desperate, and their attempts to avoid an election and force a card check show that.”