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If I understand correctly, German law REQUIRES labor to be represented on the board, so it's interesting that they were able to set up a plant in Tennessee in t

If I understand correctly, German law REQUIRES labor to be represented on the board, so it's interesting that they were able to set up a plant in Tennessee in the first place when they could not comply with German law doing so. This in no way upsets Volkswagen, in other words. It's normal.

avianlyric 3y ago
It seems to be upsetting VW's local US management[1], even if their German based management might be quietly pleased with this outcome. [1] https://labornotes.org/blogs/2019/06/volkswagen-declares-war-against-works-council-and-german-union https://labornotes.org/blogs/2019/06/volkswagen-declares-war...
- jwagenet 3y ago
  Based on that article, European management seems to be pushing against US unionization too (installing anti union local ceo, etc)
- rrr_oh_man 3y ago
  Anecdotally, I have not come across any German, Austrian, or Swiss CEO who liked unions.
  - Rinzler89 3y ago
    Pretty much, and that's considering unions in Europe are a lot weaker than in the US. A lot of union busting goes in in Austria even if unions are legal. Austrian Antron Paar is notorious for firing everyone who voices about starting a union. So I have no idea why grandparent and other commenters on HN, would assume VW would be "silently happy" to see more unions, when I'm pretty sure they're not that happy about already having one in Germany but they have to tolerate it because it's the law there, but deep down they'd rather not have any at all as that's how businesses role.
    - emptysongglass 3y ago
      > Pretty much, and that's considering unions in Europe are a lot weaker than in the US. I think you may be talking beyond your knowledge here. Unions in the Nordics are incredibly strong with clear majorities in at least Denmark and Sweden (I'll let someone else chime in on Norway).
      - Rinzler89 3y ago
        I was wrong to generalize. What I meant was the unions in Europe where I am(Austria) are weaker than in the US since they're too nice and non confrontational resulting in loosing at their own interests.
        rrr_oh_man 3y ago
        Respectfully, I don’t think you know what you are talking about. There are no comic book mafia labour unions with no show contracts, but employees’ rights in Austria are monumentally better in almost every way compared to the US.
        Rinzler89 3y ago
        Please, don't move the goalposts, I was comparing unions' power not workers' rights, tow deferent things. Just look how useless the IT union in Austria was with it's salary increases below inflation. You know what would have helped with their negotiations? The right to strike and let IT infra fall apart for a day, but oh wait, they're not allowed to by law. Unions in the US are a lot more confrontational than in Austria. But since you opened that can of worms, some companies in Austria will fire you on the spot if you talk about starting a company union(Betreibsrat) because in Austria you have no workers protection against being fired for no reason, even while you're on sick leave. Even colleagues from the US were shocked on how easy it is for them to get fired here when back home they could have sued for unfair dismissal, but here they were told they have no grounds because the employer can terminate you any time for any reason. Another mate, got sued by his employer since the IT infra he was in charge of crashed while he was sick in hospital and the employer could find him liable for the damages by Austrian labor law. In Austria, not the US. And let's not talk about the infamous 'all-in' contracts some companies use to get you to work unpaid overtime. Now tell me more about these amazing workers' rights in Austria.
Wytwwww 3y ago
> so it's interesting Not at all. I don't think German labor law ever applied to American residents working in the US...

avianlyric 3y ago

It seems to be upsetting VW's local US management[1], even if their German based management might be quietly pleased with this outcome. [1] https://labornotes.org/blogs/2019/06/volkswagen-declares-war-against-works-council-and-german-union https://labornotes.org/blogs/2019/06/volkswagen-declares-war...

jwagenet 3y ago
Based on that article, European management seems to be pushing against US unionization too (installing anti union local ceo, etc)
rrr_oh_man 3y ago
Anecdotally, I have not come across any German, Austrian, or Swiss CEO who liked unions.
- Rinzler89 3y ago
  Pretty much, and that's considering unions in Europe are a lot weaker than in the US. A lot of union busting goes in in Austria even if unions are legal. Austrian Antron Paar is notorious for firing everyone who voices about starting a union. So I have no idea why grandparent and other commenters on HN, would assume VW would be "silently happy" to see more unions, when I'm pretty sure they're not that happy about already having one in Germany but they have to tolerate it because it's the law there, but deep down they'd rather not have any at all as that's how businesses role.
  - emptysongglass 3y ago
    > Pretty much, and that's considering unions in Europe are a lot weaker than in the US. I think you may be talking beyond your knowledge here. Unions in the Nordics are incredibly strong with clear majorities in at least Denmark and Sweden (I'll let someone else chime in on Norway).
    - Rinzler89 3y ago
      I was wrong to generalize. What I meant was the unions in Europe where I am(Austria) are weaker than in the US since they're too nice and non confrontational resulting in loosing at their own interests.
      - rrr_oh_man 3y ago
        Respectfully, I don’t think you know what you are talking about. There are no comic book mafia labour unions with no show contracts, but employees’ rights in Austria are monumentally better in almost every way compared to the US.
        Rinzler89 3y ago
        Please, don't move the goalposts, I was comparing unions' power not workers' rights, tow deferent things. Just look how useless the IT union in Austria was with it's salary increases below inflation. You know what would have helped with their negotiations? The right to strike and let IT infra fall apart for a day, but oh wait, they're not allowed to by law. Unions in the US are a lot more confrontational than in Austria. But since you opened that can of worms, some companies in Austria will fire you on the spot if you talk about starting a company union(Betreibsrat) because in Austria you have no workers protection against being fired for no reason, even while you're on sick leave. Even colleagues from the US were shocked on how easy it is for them to get fired here when back home they could have sued for unfair dismissal, but here they were told they have no grounds because the employer can terminate you any time for any reason. Another mate, got sued by his employer since the IT infra he was in charge of crashed while he was sick in hospital and the employer could find him liable for the damages by Austrian labor law. In Austria, not the US. And let's not talk about the infamous 'all-in' contracts some companies use to get you to work unpaid overtime. Now tell me more about these amazing workers' rights in Austria.

Wytwwww 3y ago

> so it's interesting Not at all. I don't think German labor law ever applied to American residents working in the US...