The Unity Group of Chattanooga says it hopes that the union election at the Chattanooga Volkswagen assembly plant will be held in strict accordance with international labor standards.
Sherman E. Matthews Jr., the group's chairman, said workers who participate in the vote should be able to do so free of intimidation, coercion or threat of future reprisal or retaliation.
"This community should be diligently monitoring for any sign that there might be human rights violations or electoral irregularities, and be prepared to alert the appropriate agencies in the unlikely event that this does occur," he said.
Afterwards, Matthews said, people should amicably abide by the decision, "and resolve to treat all with the dignity and respect in which we all want to be afforded."
About 1,700 VW production and skilled trades workers are voting in a three-day election ending Friday over whether to align with United Auto Workers.