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A powerful German union reacted swiftly to a new labor policy issued by Volkswagen in Chattanooga, sharply urging the carmaker to recognize the United Auto Workers and criticizing VW for working with other groups.
But the head of a worker group positioning itself as an alternative to the UAW said American law and culture give people a choice.
“In February there was an election. The UAW was clearly defeated,” said VW worker Sean Moss, president of the American Council of Employees. “We’re trying to address a need for a works council in the best way we see fit and represent ourselves.”
German union IG Metall in a statement Friday called on VW to “show its true colors” in officially recognizing the UAW as its bargaining partner.