NASHVILLE -- Republican Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey said today that Volkswagen officials told him this week the German manufacturer will remain "neutral" in its dealings with the United Auto Workers at its Chattanooga plant.
"I think I was assured yesterday that they told me they want to stay neutral. I said, 'OK, that's all I'm going to ask for," Ramsey told reporters.
Company officials were at the state Capitol on Wednesday, visiting legislators, including several from Chattanooga who have been highly critical of the UAW's effort to unionize the plant and Volkswagen's reaction.
The company is seeking to protect a $165.8 million incentive deal with the state. Republican Gov. Bill Haslam included it in his proposed budget for Volkswagen to add a second line of production on a new sports utility vehicle at its Chattanooga facility. The company is investing $600 million into its Chattanooga operations and plans to add 2,000 more workers.
"As far as I'm concerned, it's settled -- I suppose," Ramsey told reporters earlier today. "I will say this. My members, including my speaker pro tem [Bo Watson] who's from Hamilton County, if he decides it's not settled then I'll probably be on his side on this. But as far as when they told it to me yesterday and looked me in the eye and said we're staying neutral, that gave me some assurance, yes."