Bernd OsterlohPlane trouble out of Germany has postponed a planned meeting between the head of Volkswagen's global works council with VW workers in Chattanooga and Tennessee's governor.
Bernd Osterloh was slated to meet today with representatives of different departments at the plant in order to discuss the set up of a potential works council labor board in Chattanooga along with United Auto Workers representation efforts.
Osterloh, who sits on VW's powerful supervisory board, also was expected to meet with Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam.
Haslam, along with U.S. Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., and other political leaders have been vocal critics of the UAW organizing attempt at the factory.
Earlier this summer, Osterloh had offered to engage in "confidential talks" with Tennessee Republicans about the works council concept, and Haslam said his office was trying to set up a meeting.
VW officials have said the Chattanooga plant is the only major facility for the automaker worldwide without a works council, but some officials have said economic development in Tennessee will suffer if the UAW organizes the factory.
See more in Thursday's Times Free Press.