Meeting for Chattanooga VW workers set for Saturday

Thursday, February 6, 2014

photo Workers assemble Volkswagen Passat sedans at the German automaker's plant in Chattanooga. Workers at Volkswagen's only U.S. factory will decide in February 2014 whether to be represented by the United Auto Workers union.

Southern Momentum, a non-profit group organized by Chattanooga Volkswagen plant workers opposed to the United Auto Workers, plans to hold an informational meeting for VW workers and their families Saturday.

The meeting will take place at 10 a.m. in the ballroom at the Embassy Suites, 2321 Lifestyle Way, near Hamilton Place mall.

"We are very concerned that there has been no opportunity at the plant for VW team members' questions in a public forum to the UAW about one of the most important decisions that we will ever make," said Travis Finnell, who works in the plant's maintenance department. "We are assembling some experts on these issues that will make themselves available for questions on Saturday morning."

He said the UAW has refused to take questions, or allow opposing viewpoints.

"Because this issue affects all of us as team members, as well as our families and the community, we should have the right to get real answers to real questions. So far, the UAW has been misleading a lot of people. This is why we will have legal experts there to share U.S. labor law and our legal rights and to answer team members and their families' questions," he said.

All attendees must show identification at the door and, with the exception of invited guests, be VW employees or their family members, the group said.