More than 30 Democratic senators called for automakers not to interfere with unionization efforts taking place throughout the industry, going as far as to ask company executives to commit to neutrality agreements at their manufacturing plants.
Led by Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Laphonza Butler (D-CA), and Sherrod Brown (D-OH), the lawmakers emphasized the need for high-ups to stay neutral during negotiations in a letter sent Thursday, citing allegations of management working to block unionization efforts through intimidation tactics. The lawmakers referenced several employee accounts from a lawsuit filed by the United Auto Workers union last December, in which employees had claimed that Volkswagen managers confiscated and destroyed pro-union materials, while Hyundai supervisors banned pro-union materials in nonwork areas outside of normal working hours. The senators had also cited findings from the National Labor Relations Board that found Tesla “employed multiple illegal tactics aimed at stopping organizing efforts, including online harassment, employee interrogations, and retaliatory firings.”
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“Your commitment to neutrality would ensure that management does not pressure workers into voting against unionization or delaying the election process,” the senators write. “We believe a neutrality agreement is the bare minimum standard manufacturers should meet in respecting workers’ rights, especially as companies receive and benefit from federal funds related to the electric vehicle transition.”
The letter was sent to 13 auto executives, ranging from BMW to Honda.
The UAW was able to ratify new contracts with General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis last year and broadened their unionizing efforts to other car companies. However, the union filed unfair labor practice charges with the NLRB against Honda, Hyundai, and Volkswagen in early December, accusing management across different facilities of participating in illegal union-busting activities as employees worked to organize.
Hyundai and Honda denied the allegations, while Volkswagen stated it took claims such as these seriously and promised to investigate the matter.
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The senators asserted a need for a “just transition” for auto workers in order to execute the goals of the Inflation Reduction Act, Democrats’ signature climate legislation that was passed in 2022.
“We believe the electric vehicle transition will not and cannot come at the expense of workers’ ability to form a union and collectively bargain for the fair wages, affordable health care, dignified retirement, and job security necessary for the continued strength of the U.S. auto industry,” the letter reads. “All workers, no matter what states they live in, should have a free and unhindered opportunity to join a union.”
