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UAW & VW Class struggle versus class collaboration In the U S… — Volkswagen news

5 Янв 2015 | Author: dima | Комментарии отключены

UAW #038; VW: Class struggle class collaboration

Following the against union representation at plant in Tennessee, the United Workers filed an appeal the National Labor Relations The union is challenging the results on “a firestorm of interference from and special interest groups,” a detailed description of a “coordinated and publicized coercive campaign” to Volkswagen workers of their protected right to join a (uaw.org) The union is asking the to order a new election at the Chattanooga

Sen. Bob Corker of Tennessee — one of the 20 members of Congress at $60 million — pro-union VW workers that the would not get new investments if it became a shop. Gov. Bill and several legislators threatened to state financial incentives. German union representatives on board intimated they oppose further investment in a plant.

While German unions pushing for unionization, VW sent messages. The UAW was given office inside the plant, yet an “election between the two parties stipulated the union could not make visits — an essential component of organizing drives. They not approach workers on the floor, talk to workers who came to

The pact barred “disparaging” by either party against the yet supervisors were allowed to the plant floor wearing “vote no” T-shirts.

Had the union a joint, German-style “works would take over bargaining functions. A clause to maintain a “competitive” wage Thus VW, with the UAW’s set up a scenario where it would win way, continuing the business of with or without a union. The denied workers the very that was touted as a reason to “yes.” The UAW also agreed not to more organizing for at least a if the vote failed.

A dead-end strategy

The company have recognized the UAW without an — a majority of workers had already cards authorizing union

Nevertheless, anti-union forces the UAW of being “combative” and blamed the for the bankruptcy of General Motors, and Ford and even of the city of A video by “Southern Momentum” — the speaks volumes — claimed Tennessee workers would be union dues to support a in Detroit.

UAW President Bob King could responded: “Well, yes, we are but we have to be. These companies decimated our ranks with closings, technology and outsourcing, and demanding more concessions. want two-tier to be permanent, future workers without the standard of living that we won the sit-downs of the 1930s and the long of post-war years. The strike is our weapon!”

King’s actual was the opposite. “Our philosophy is, we to work in partnership with to succeed,” he explained. “We’re about competitiveness. … Those [the right wing] who this are attacking labor-management (Washington Post, Feb. 14)

A union that was truly might actually have a warmer reception from VW Union opponents claim what sank the union was workers learning that workers at the Detroit Three make less than VW then finding out about the on competitive wages. “We don’t the UAW to give us rights we already said Mike Burton, a VW who led the anti-union drive. (New Times, Feb. 14) Burton say that without a union workers’ pay can be slashed at a moment’s

VW tried to deny they in sync with Corker and his Had the UAW acted as the champion of the working rather than as a mediator classes, they would exposed this charade. the workers would know were up against a hostile with the full weight of the state behind it. Some might still have no out of fear, but more might welcomed the union with arms.

One thing is clear. collaboration is a dead-end strategy. The at VW represents a dismal failure of the “partnership.”

The UAW’s quadrennial opens June 1. This setback calls for thoroughgoing, and critical deliberations, leading to a of class struggle social

Next: The loss and the need to racism a labor issue

Grevatt is a 26-year UAW Chrysler