4 ms·

VW runs a "Works Council" for the German plans, which is basically a union, except it's funded by the company rather than union dues. As it happens it's illegal

VW runs a "Works Council" for the German plans, which is basically a union, except it's funded by the company rather than union dues. As it happens it's illegal for companies to contribute any financial support to a labor organisation in the US [1]. So while VW originally wanted a union, and "Work Council" type setup when they came to the US. Local law basically made it illegal for VW to do that. Not only that, but the local politicians seemed to have fought tooth and nail to discourage VW workers from unionising. It also seems that since the plant was originally setup, US based management have brought their strong dislike of unions to the table. So while VW didn't try to prevent unionisation originally, in more recent years their US management has made it very clear they don't want unions, and also don't like the "Works Councils" that VW operates elsewhere. [1] https://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/15/business/volkswagen-workers-reject-forming-a-union.html https://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/15/business/volkswagen-worke...

Rinzler89 3y ago
And the US VW management is not under the control of the German VW management who own the US subsidiary? Therefore the anti-union actions from the US management come with the blessing or even the order of the German management?
- Wytwwww 3y ago
  How is not allowing the company to directly fund unions "anti-union"? It's the opposite if anything, it keeps them independent and prevents them from being coopted and influenced by management (after all UAW seems to be generally more effective than German unions).
  - avianlyric 3y ago
    > after all UAW seems to be generally more effective than German unions Citation needed. Tesla is currently discovering just how effective German unions can be. > How is not allowing the company to directly fund unions "anti-union"? It's the opposite if anything, it keeps them independent and prevents them from being coopted and influenced by management Nothing prevents a unions from refusing to accept cash from the company, or taking union dues etc to maintain their independence.
    - Wytwwww 2y ago
      I don't think workers at any of Tesla's factories in the are unionized.

Rinzler89 3y ago

And the US VW management is not under the control of the German VW management who own the US subsidiary? Therefore the anti-union actions from the US management come with the blessing or even the order of the German management?

Wytwwww 3y ago
How is not allowing the company to directly fund unions "anti-union"? It's the opposite if anything, it keeps them independent and prevents them from being coopted and influenced by management (after all UAW seems to be generally more effective than German unions).
- avianlyric 3y ago
  > after all UAW seems to be generally more effective than German unions Citation needed. Tesla is currently discovering just how effective German unions can be. > How is not allowing the company to directly fund unions "anti-union"? It's the opposite if anything, it keeps them independent and prevents them from being coopted and influenced by management Nothing prevents a unions from refusing to accept cash from the company, or taking union dues etc to maintain their independence.
  - Wytwwww 2y ago
    I don't think workers at any of Tesla's factories in the are unionized.