WATCH: Union highlights demands of Volkswagen Chattanooga in new video
The United Auto Workers on Tuesday released a video of demands in the union’s contract negotiations with Volkswagen Chattanooga as workers highlighted wages, health and safety, paid time off and job security.
Plant worker Angel Gomez said in the video if employees are to win a contract they deserve, everyone at the plant needs to be involved, not just the 20-member bargaining committee.
“Sign your name to the members’ demands,” he said. “Talk to your co-workers. That’s how we won our union, and that’s how are we going to win the best contract that you ever seen. Better than Ford, better than GM. Everybody,” he said.
The union and the company kicked off talks Thursday at the 5,500-worker plant after the union overwhelmingly won an organizing election in April.
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(READ MORE: Union wins organizing vote at Volkswagen)
Volkswagen released a series of informational slides last week outlining its pay and benefits, saying the factory offers “some of the best jobs in the area.”
“We are proud of our workplace and world-class facility in Chattanooga,” Volkswagen of America spokesperson Michael Lowder said in a statement Tuesday. “Our goal has always been to do right by our people and our community. We know there is always room to improve our employees’ experience, and we are committed to doing just that through this first contract negotiation with the UAW.”
But employee and UAW supporter Vicky Holloway said in the video she realized a union was needed the first day when she was told how much employees earn.
“I said if you need a Norma Rae, I’m your girl,” she said.
VW worker Billy Quigg said automakers General Motors and Stellantis received “incredible gains” in recent negotiated contracts with the union.
“But their companies aren’t nearly as big as Volkswagen,” he said.
Josh Epperson, a plant employee, said he has a carpal tunnel scar on one of his hands.
“We have jobs in there that we know are going to hurt people,” he said in the video. “So why haven’t we done anything about that?”
Yolanda Peoples, a bargaining committee member, said she has tears in both rotator cuffs and needs surgery.
“If we’re going to win the contract that we deserve, it’s not just the bargainers. We need everyone involved,” she said.
Factory employee Tony Bodewes said retirement is important to him.
“Job security is a big deal,” he said.
Volkswagen said in its slides Chattanooga employees can earn $23.40 per hour right out of high school and $32.40 per hour within just four years, adding that it has no temporary workforce at the factory.
According to VW, $60,000 or more is the average a Chattanooga employee will make in 2024.
“This outpaces the median household income in Chattanooga before accounting for an attractive benefits package,” the company said.
(READ MORE: Volkswagen workers receive pay raise)
VW said in the slides it covers 84% of its employees’ health care costs so that production employees on average pay less than $2,000 per year in premiums.
In addition, the company said Volkswagen contributes up to 9% of employees’ pay each year toward their retirement between defined contributions and 401k plans.
Lowder said the company is reviewing the union’s more than 800 demands in detail.
“We are focused on working with the UAW to take a fresh approach that allows our single U.S. plant to be successful and sustainable and protects strong jobs in Chattanooga well into the future,” he said.
The plant builds the Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport SUV and the electric ID.4 SUV. But production was suspended on the ID.4 amid a door handle recall, and 200 workers were furloughed starting this week.
Contact Mike Pare at mpare@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6318.