Protests at 35 Volkswagen dealerships in 19 states occurred over the weekend to support the efforts of Chattanooga-based Volunteers for Local Hire.
The group protests the use of Tennessee taxpayer dollars to subsidize construction of VW's new manufacturing facility in the city without the inclusion of a formal "local hire" mandate, according to the Building and Construction Trades Department of the AFL-CIO.
The nonprofit Volunteers for Local Hire contends the mandate would ensure that Tennessee contractors and workers construct the auto assembly plant.