Gary CasteelA United Auto Workers official said today that the union isn't interested in another election at Chattanooga's Volkswagen plant and that the company can voluntarily recognize it as the exclusive representative of its workers.
Gary Casteel, the UAW's secretary-treasurer, said there's not even a requirement that the union turn in a majority of cards from plant workers authorizing it as their representative.
"We have a relationship [with Volkswagen] and an agreement," he said during a conference call with journalists a day after VW verified it has signed up at least 45 percent of the plant's blue collar workers, giving the union new rights at the factory.
Last month, VW introduced a new policy opening up dialogue with labor groups if they reach certain membership levels of plant workers.
Casteel said he doesn't know what the pathway will be for gaining exclusive representation at the plant, but the union will be in discussions with plant executives.
"We're not on the outside looking in," he said.
Last February, the UAW lost an organizing vote at the plant by a margin of 712 to 626.
See more in Wednesday's Times Free Press.