The Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry is coming to the defense of the state’s top Republican leaders, who were criticized by Chief Executive magazine for interfering with a United Auto Workers union election last year at the Chattanooga VW assembly plant.
In its annual ranking of the best states for business climate, Chief Executive dropped its rating of Tennessee by a spot because “state politicians shouldn’t have messed in Volkswagen’s unionization business.” Haslam and Corker urged VW employees to vote against the union and threatened to withold state incentives if the union was certified, claiming the UAW’s presence might scare away other businesses. UAW officials insist the union already operates in Tennessee and is willing to work with VW and other employers to create more jobs.
The Volunteer State was rated the fourth best state for business by Chief Executive, behind only Texas, Florida and North Carolina, based upon CEO surveys.
Catherine Glover, president of the Tennessee Chamber, challenged the downgrade by the business-oriented magazine and said it is “puzzling that Chief Executive magazine chose to attack pro-business leaders like Gov. Bill Haslam and Sen. Bob Corker.
“Their leadership on fiscal matters has been crucial to keeping Tennessee one of the lowest taxed and most business friendly climates in the nation,” Glover said.