TN: Gov. Haslam makes last-minute pitch to Volkswagen to stop UAW vote

[spanone]

?pubId=35553607001

As workers at Volkswagen’s Chattanooga plant prepare to vote next week on joining the United Auto Workers labor union, Gov. Bill Haslam is making a list-minute pitch to the German automanufacturer against unionization.

“We’re trying to be really clear: I think that there are some ramifications to the vote in terms of our ability to attract other suppliers,” Haslam, speaking to The Tennessean’s editorial board, said on Wednesday. “When we recruit other companies, that comes up every time.”

Haslam, along with Republican U.S. Sen. Bob Corker, former mayor of Chattanooga, has been an outspoken critic of UAW’s push to develop a German-style works council to represent employees at what is the United States’ only Volkswagen plant.

Haslam confirmed he’s communicated to Volkswagen officials this week. “We’ve told the company that from our standpoint, we have concerns.”

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20140205/BUSINESS/302050172

[okaawhatever]

1. Geez Louise, it's a pretty bad day for the workers in America when you have your own elected

officials fighting against you. Basically saying, there won't be any more jobs in Tennessee if you agree to this. Sad day in Tennessee.

[denverbill]

3. I'd say it's bad when the government is more opposed to unions than the company affected.

Pretty disgusting, and discouraging.

The 40 year long war on unions is still going on, and unions are losing.

[okaawhatever]

4. One of the things that's bad too is that a lot of the anti-union stuff is being pushed by National

Right to Work Foundation. It's hard to find out exactly who contributes to that but there's evidence of at least one or two neo-cons donating a bunch of money. The EIGHT workers they talked into filling a claim over the union cards (just over 1500 total) were backed by this group. The money coming from outside third party interests without any disclosure doesn't help either.

The only other factory that VW has without work counsels is in China. What does that tell you?

[spanone]

5. German automanufacturer's response...to the American governor:

"Volkswagen respects this democratic right at all locations worldwide,” the plant’s vice president of human resources Sebastian Patta said this week.

[upaloopa]

2. Yeah they have concerns. A new union in the South.

Unions are job creators because they tend to increase wages. More money creates more demand which creates more jobs.
Non union shops force wages down pushes people closer to being one of the working poor.

[Go Vols]

6. Bill Haslam and Bob Corker can kiss my ass.

Haslam, however, said UAW’s entry into the state would be a negative.

The UAW is already in Tenn.,as are numerous other Unions.

[Timez Squarez]

7. Is this idiot also related to Jimmy Haslam?

Who has huge problems including being an idiot owner of Cleveland Browns and stiffing someone and being sued?

[Arcanetrance]

15. Yep they're brothers if I remember correctly

[malaise]

8. Bwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah this is seriously depraved

He doesn't want any workers' rights. Good fuggin' grief - they are shameless

[spanone]

9. how do they get elected? this governor refused medicaid benefits for tn residents.

how do they get elected?

[malaise]

12. Because I'm not doing the ads

I'd use every one of these issues - I'd have people bawling watching their loved ones die - in hospitals, at home, in hospices and I'll carry them to their graves with rivers of tears - with a simple end - The ReTHUGs refused Medicaid money from the Federal Government. Then I'd find all the old film re worker conditions, the fires, the awful conditions, the no weekends, no vacations, no healthcare, etc and end with ReTHUGs are against worker unions -why!!!

Dems have not been aggressive enough -they have allowed these RW lunatics to control the discussion.

[spanone]

13. i agree.you have to POINT THIS SHIT OUT!!!!!!!

most people don't follow politics. period. YOU HAVE TO LET THEM KNOW.

i bet the teabaggers down here are wondering why Obama refused to increase their medicare benefits.....the democratic party has given up on tennessee.

[malaise]

14. Where is Howie Dean when we need him?

[Octafish]

10. Just Another Right to Work GOP goober in service of the Brothers Koch.

Who knows where it could lead? The Toyota plant in neighboring Kentucky might consider unionization.

What's next? Having to pay a fair share of local taxes?

[Blue Idaho]

11. Right to work = Right to starve

Fuck the elite corporate class, Unions are the great equalizer in the fight for living wages and respect for workers rights.

A Proud Union Member!