Chattanooga, TN — Following the successful authorization vote by Chattanooga Volkswagen workers to strike, Jobs with Justice Executive Director Erica Smiley released the following statement:
By voting overwhelmingly to authorize a strike, these workers are sending a clear message to Volkswagen: they know their worth, they know their power, and they are ready to use it. This courageous vote is about more than a contract — it’s about democracy on the shop floor and who holds power throughout the South. These workers are making the cars of tomorrow and refuse to be bullied into a bad deal that doesn’t meet today’s needs.
Jobs with Justice stands in unwavering solidarity with the courageous Volkswagen workers in Chattanooga as they take this historic step. Voting to strike is never easy, but after more than thirteen months of bad-faith bargaining, intimidation, and unfair labor practices, these workers took the courageous step to stand up for themselves, their families, and for the fundamental right to a fair deal. They are ready to strike if Volkswagen doesn’t return to the table and honor their work.
Workers like Caleb Michalski have made clear what’s at stake:
“The most important things in this contract are job security, healthcare, and inflation protection. Every worker at Volkswagen is entitled to the American dream that allows us to purchase a home, care for our families, and be able to put money in savings rather than falling further and further into debt.”
Today’s vote shows that these workers are united, determined, and unwilling to settle or allow Volkswagen to bully them into less than they deserve. Their courage challenges decades of union-busting, interference, and anti-worker politics.
June Rostan and Tracy Fair, co-chairs of Jobs with Justice East Tennessee, shared,
“We are proud to support and stand in solidarity with these dedicated workers as they fight for a good first contract. They are paving the way for other workers in the South.”
Just as Jobs with Justice stood with these workers through their unionization fight and practice pickets, we will continue to stand in steadfast solidarity with them now. Jobs with Justice and our local affiliate, Jobs with Justice East Tennessee, will be ready to march with workers on the picket lines and to ensure families have food, community, and support if and when they hit the picket line.
###
