German labor chief: VW must halt anti-union group

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-seattlepi

By ERIK SCHELZIG,

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The head of the German union representing automotive workers is speaking out against Volkswagen working with anti-labor groups at its plant in Tennessee.

In a statement issued Friday in Frankfurt, Germany, IG Metall President Detlef Wetzel called on Volkswagen to "show its true colors" in officially recognizing the United Auto Workers union as its bargaining partner at the Chattanooga factory once the union proves it has signed up a majority of workers there.

"It is our objective to guarantee also under the politically difficult circumstances in the United States that labor union rights are respected and codetermination in the plant is possible," Wetzel said.

Under German law, worker representatives hold half the seats on the board of Wolfsburg, Germany-based Volkswagen, which lends added weight to Wetzel's position. It also appears to reflect some concern that a new company policy released this week could serve to undermine efforts by its U.S. ally, the United Auto Workers, to organize its first foreign automaker in the South.

FULL story at link.



FILE - In this June 12, 2013, file photo, workers assemble Volkswagen Passat sedans at the German automaker's plant in Chattanooga, Tenn. On Friday, Nov. 14, 2014, the head of the powerful German autoworkers union IG Metall called on Volkswagen not to put an anti-union group on the same footing as the United Auto Workers under a new policy for labor groups at the plant. Photo: Erik Schelzig, AP


Read more: http://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/German-labor-chief-VW-must-halt-anti-union-group-5893017.php

[jwirr]

1. Thank you German Union workers.

[mountain grammy]

2. German workers standing up for American workers. Who da thunk?

[awoke_in_2003]

3. One day labor...

needs to realize that they are international

[mountain grammy]

4. and won't that be a fine day indeed!

[awoke_in_2003]

5. It is sad to think...

that my grandchildren will probably have to fight for the same stuff my grandparents did.

[Judi Lynn]

11. Great point, no doubt completely accurate. Thank you for voicing it. n/t

[Drahthaardogs]

12. Isn't it though?

My family fought in the Colorado Coal Wars, and at Ludlow. It amazes me how this younger generation take for granted an 8-hour workday, benefits, etc. The whole "We don't need unions because we have laws now" bullshit is just that...BULLSHIT.

[appalachiablue]

18. That's rw bs, propaganda influence everywhere. Unfortunately they may find out why those

worker rights were so important very soon; why people fought and persisted for decades to achieve what is disappearing now. It's awful how they've been deceived, conned. Some don't know what a union is through no fault of their own. All that's been hacked away since Dutch and Uncle Miltie Friedman with some help.
Ludlow, that's quite a heritage. I remember the union wars, Mother Jones, miners in coal country WV.

[awoke_in_2003]

20. My family is from Appalachia...

my grandfather went into the ministry (Methodist) or we may have been coal miners, too.

[appalachiablue]

23. No kidding, another one, super.

I'm from SW WVa close to OH-KY. Yes coming from that region is special, despite the hassling from fools. My education in public schools was excellent, terrific brainy teachers, disciplined too. That was a great foundation. What's happened to the area breaks my heart, & ticks me off a lot. So rich in natural and human resources as JFK said. Nice to meet you, see you around. Do you follow the A. group link on DU? Hope so.

[awoke_in_2003]

24. No, I didn't know about it...

I need to add it. I have lived in Texas since 92, but my heart is still in Ohio.

[appalachiablue]

25. Texas is fine, only stopped in Dallas once though & briefly. Ohio is great too. Been away a long

time, but the area and what it gave to me means more with time. *There's Another one of us on this thread w/ Appalach. origins, #21. PA-OH. Check it out! Start a club maybe? The A. GROUP is on the Home Page left side list, at the bottom under 'Places', then 'US'. See you there maybe. The group founder does a heroic job of pulling in interesting news links.
(No more 'Deliverance' jokes people please. Besides, author James Dickey set the film in GA. Just a pet peeve of mine I try to mention to some. Not meaning you) .

[awoke_in_2003]

26. It is now on my subscription list...

I will mosey over when I get home from work.

[appalachiablue]

16. You're right, and it's the American Nightmare unfolding I fear. Maybe not.

I wouldn't have believed this if someone told me 20 yrs. ago, even 5 yrs. ago there was more H-O-P-E.
Unreal. Poor youth, what a legacy. I'm glad they have their iphones, electronics- some comfort for the hard world they face. GD neoliberal greed, sellouts...

[awoke_in_2003]

21. I take it from your name...

that you and your family know exactly how management thinks of labor. I am of Appalachian descent myself. Most of my family is from PA, I was born in Steubenville, OH.

[appalachiablue]

27. You're the 2nd Appa. person I've met on this thread- see #21. above. I'm from sw WVa near

OH-KY. Been away in DC a long time but have strong attachment to the area. Yes indeed I know about miners, labor and mgmt. 'Matewan' by John Sayles is one of the best labor movies, next to 'On the Waterfront' w/ Brando, and Steinbeck's 'Grapes of Wrath'.
Went to Columbus, Cincinatti as kids. S.ville not far from Morgantown, was there one term. *Did you know there's an A. Group on DU? Home Page at bottom under 'Places' then 'US'. The dedicated founder posts some good articles. Ancestors from outside Philly, close friends from Pgh. Nice too meet you. See you soon.

[awoke_in_2003]

28. I am the one...

who posted #21

[appalachiablue]

29. See #24. (not 21)

[awoke_in_2003]

30. I am 24 also

[appalachiablue]

31. Brian dead, tired! Time to hit the hay. Woops- see you soon (Both of you?!).

[awoke_in_2003]

32. Sleep well. nt

[DBoon]

19. Labor must

their masters figured that out long ago and have been pitting one nation of workers against the other.

[awoke_in_2003]

22. Bingo...

and here in the US they keep us all fighting amongst ourselves so they can rob us blind.

[aggiesal]

6. Why do these guys need a union? ...

Look at the 2 at the front of the picture, they're just sitting down on the job.

What do you think this is, Germany?

Come on, get of your a$$es and get to work.

[Mr.Bill]

7. Wouldn't it be great if VW announced

it cannot function in a right-to-work state and was leaving Tennessee for a union state?

[cprise]

33. Yes, it would

It would also be great if American unions demanded codetermination -- representation on the comanies' board of directors. Its a long, boring word but critically important to balancing the priorities of the companies.

[NBachers]

8. Thanks, IG Metall; thanks, Germany

[IdiocracyTheNewNorm]

9. In a show of Support to German Worker Unions I bought a German Made VW recently

Not a US or Mexican scab labor one, but one made in Germany by UNION workers in IG Metall, yes they still import German Made VW's.

It is sitting in the garage next to my UAW made SUV.

[pampango]

10. "under the politically difficult circumstances in the United States that labor union rights are

respected and codetermination in the plant is possible."

""under the politically difficult circumstances in the United States" with respect to union rights. They got that right.

[hollowdweller]

13. It's not just the German Union supporting the US.

They know that the race to the bottom, the scabbing out of amerika, could come to them next.

The sad part is how many workers in the South are brainwashed.

Even sadder that the one free market small government alternative to inequality is rejected by the right.

[former9thward]

14. The Germans do not understand U.S. labor law.

If VW did what the German union wanted it would be hit with NLRB violations. Companies can not pick one group over another.

[Martin Eden]

15. Remember when Germany wasn't a better example of a fair society

than America?

[appalachiablue]

17. Sehr gut deutsche volk, danke! I read that the post-war Marshall plan, allies wanted to preserve

a strong union presence in Germany b/c of earlier inflation/depression that fueled instability, Wars. Need to check out whether that's correct, sounds right. Too bad our leaders don't see things that way...
Wonder if we could ask Germany for some help? You know, like a reverse Plan for the US? Our military was there many years to protect against USSR. I'm not too proud, things are bad here. What irony.

Would they consider adopting us maybe? I mean if we got in really good shape, and had the right attitude? (And we're up to date on shots). I have German ancestors from PA..wishful.