The VW logo is seen on the front of one of dozens of new Passats made at the Chattanooga Volkswagen assembly plant parked outside the plant.
Tennessee Governor Bill HaslamTennessee Gov. Bill Haslam weighed in Wednesday on reports that Volkswagen is talking with the United Auto Workers about the Chattanooga plant, saying workers like the current nonunion structure.
“I would hate for anything to happen that would hurt the productivity of the plant or to deter investment in Chattanooga,” Haslam said in a statement.
The Republican governor said Tennessee is a right-to-work state and that he has talked to a number of VW employees who are “very comfortable” with the way things are now at the factory.
“Volkswagen continues to be incredibly successful with the current structure,” the governor said.
He added that VW is an “outstanding employer that puts a lot of focus on employee satisfaction,” but the decision regarding a works council and the UAW ultimately will be one for the company and its 3,200 employees.