Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann and Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger could find other things to talk about. Politicians have little trouble along that line.
But it wasn’t just to hear themselves speak that the above office-holders and others suggested in recent weeks that Volkswagen production and maintenance vote not to affiliate with the United Auto Workers (UAW).
Each of the above may have their feelings one way or another about unions in general, but each of them has had casual and high-level conversations with business recruiters and business executives who are trying to entice businesses to the state or are considering locating their businesses here.
If there is a strong union presence in the industry or in the area, the politicians have been told, the businesses will look elsewhere. They don’t need the trouble, they say.
Plenty of other states would be glad to have them and would be delighted to offer them incentives similar to what Tennessee might be promising.