The UAW has desperately been trying to organize at least one foreign-owned car plant in order to offset sliding membership, but has so far come up short. The UAW has made the most headway with VW, with King recently making the bold prediction that the union will represent the German automaker’s Tennessee factory by the time he leaves office in June.
“I think and hope it will be soon,” King told Automotive News. “We’ve got a very strong majority there. I’m confident once we agree on the process that the workers will choose to have UAW representation.”
Per UAW rules, King will have to retire from office in five months when his term as union president is up.
VW execs have welcomed the idea of union representation in Tennessee, but so far not much progress has been made. While UAW representation at the plant is still a possibility at this point, but it remains to be seen if a deal can be realistically made by mid-year.
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