Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee said Monday that Volkswagen Chattanooga workers shouldn't "risk their futures" by choosing the United Auto Workers as their bargaining representatives in an upcoming election.
"We've seen union decline in many places all across the country for the last decade," he said at a news conference in Chattanooga. "We've seen plants close that made a decision to go to unions."
(READ MORE: VW Chattanooga vote could set UAW's future)
Speaking across Volkswagen Drive from the assembly plant, Lee said the decision belongs to the workers, but he encouraged them to think about their "employment freedom" and called a vote for the union "a big mistake."
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In visit to Chattanooga, governor says VW employees shouldn’t risk their futures by voting for UAW
The Republican governor, in remarks after a tour of Tennessee Department of Transportation facilities, urged the 4,300 VW workers slated to vote to not give up "the freedom to decide for themselves and hand that over to a negotiator on their behalf."
Isaac Meadows, an assembly worker at Volkswagen and member of the volunteer organizing committee for the UAW at the plant, said in a statement that employees are working to form a union to build a more sustainable future for VW workers and their families.
"We know that we can improve our jobs in ways that help the long-term success of our community here in Chattanooga," the statement said. "This is our decision, not a decision for people who do not work in the plant, and politicians are not going to tell us what to do."
Lee, who headed his family's home services and construction company before running for governor, said it's appropriate for leaders such as himself to speak out on the UAW issue and the VW workforce.
"I have a broad understanding of how valued they are and how valued their future is," he said.
Last week, Hamilton County officials, both Republicans and Democrats, expressed opinions on the planned vote, with county Mayor Weston Wamp and Republican elected officials calling for workers to reject the union. Democrats, meanwhile, accused GOP officials of union-busting tactics.
The election is set at the plant on April 17-19. The UAW has lost twice in trying to organize production and skilled maintenance employees, in 2014 and 2019, by close votes.
In 2019, 1,609 workers voted with the result 51.8% against and 48.2% for the union. In 2014, 1,338 workers cast votes, with 53.2% against and 46.8% for UAW representation.
The Volkswagen plant employs 5,500 workers. The plant produces the ID.4 and Atlas SUVs. Volkswagen has said it plans to remain neutral and will let employees decide in the vote.
(READ MORE: VW, UAW spar over statements)
Lee said he has worked alongside men and women in the skilled trades for decades. Now, their skills are in high demand and their futures are "very bright," he said.
Lee said VW employees understand what's at stake with the election.
"Every worker is interested certainly in wages, work environment, safety," he said. "They alone can decide what that environment is, and I encourage them to decide that for themselves and keep it under their control."
Lee also cited the attractiveness of Tennessee to businesses.
"There's a reason companies have come here," he said, mentioning the work environment and that it's a right-to-work state. As a right-to-work state, an employee cannot be forced to join a union in Tennessee.
Contact Mike Pare at mpare@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6318.