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Group hits labor unions as VW Chattanooga vote nears

A factory worker performs diagnostics on a Passat before it is taken through a dyanometer in the assembly section of the Chattanooga Volkswagen Plant in Chattanooga, Tenn. Volkswagen's Chattanooga manufacturing plant has implemented energy management and environmentally friendly procedures which will be used in other Volkswagen plants across the globe.
A factory worker performs diagnostics on a Passat before it is taken through a dyanometer in the assembly section of the Chattanooga Volkswagen Plant in Chattanooga, Tenn. Volkswagen's Chattanooga manufacturing plant has implemented energy management and environmentally friendly procedures which will be used in other Volkswagen plants across the globe. A factory worker performs diagnostics on a Passat before it is taken through a dyanometer in the assembly section of the Chattanooga Volkswagen Plant in Chattanooga, Tenn. Volkswagen's Chattanooga manufacturing plant has implemented energy management and environmentally friendly procedures which will be used in other Volkswagen plants across the globe.

By Mike Pare 3 min read

A Washington, D.C., group that opposes compulsory union membership said Monday the U.S. Department of Labor is favoring “Big Labor” organizations such as German union IG Metall and the United Auto Workers as Volkswagen’s Chattanooga plant readies for another union vote.

The National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation, in a letter to U.S. Labor Secretary Thomas E. Perez, said his department is ignoring IG Metall’s failure to file federal disclosure papers.

“Will the Department of Labor stop favoring Big Labor officials like those at IG Metall and take the Congressionally authorized legal action against the IG Metall officials for their violation of U.S. disclosure laws?” the letter by foundation President Mark Mix asked.

More than a year ago, the foundation said the activities by IG Metall and the UAW regarding VW triggered federal reporting requirements. But, the Department of Labor hasn’t required IG Metall to take action, the letter said.

Last week, IG Metall, Germany’s largest trade union, announced it’s opening an office in Spring Hill, Tenn., to work with the UAW to organize German auto companies and suppliers.