UAW | United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America
  • About
    • UAW CONSTITUTION
    • PROCEEDINGS BOOKS
    • EXECUTIVE BOARD
    • REGIONS
    • UAW-LUCA
    • COMMUNITY SERVICE
    • SOLIDWEB
    • STRIKE FAQ
    • DUES FAQ
    • MORE INFORMATION
  • Ethics
    • ETHICAL PRACTICE CODES
    • ETHICS HOTLINE FAQ
    • ETHICS HOTLINE: 877-866-9682 
    • ETHICS ONLINE FORM
    • ETHICS REFORMS OVERVIEW / UAW ETHICS OFFICER
  • Members
    • WEINGARTEN RIGHTS CARD
    • 2023 SBC RESOLUTIONS
    • AUTO BARGAINING
      • ARAMARK
      • JONES LANG LASALLE
    • UAW WOMEN
    • STANDING COMMITTEES
      • UAW WOMEN’S COMMITTEE
      • CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS
      • CIVIL AND HUMAN RIGHTS
      • UNION LABEL
      • CITIZENSHIP AND LEGISLATIVE (CAP)
      • EDUCATION
      • CONSUMER AFFAIRS
      • CONSERVATION AND RECREATION
      • VETERANS
      • COMMUNITY SERVICES
      • UAW WOMEN
    • RETIREES
    • IEB ELECTIONS
      • 2022 IEB Elections
      • 2023 RUN-OFF ELECTION INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT CANDIDATE FORUM
      • 2022 INTERNATIONAL OFFICER CAMPAIGN LITERATURE (2023 RUN-OFF)
      • 2023 IEB ELECTION COUNTS
    • TALK TO US!
    • EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
    • HEALTH & SAFETY
    • TECHNICAL OFFICE & PROFESSIONAL (TOP)
    • LOCAL UNION LOG IN
    • SOLIDARITY
    • SOLIDARY MAGAZINE OPT-IN
    • UAW CHAPLAINCY PROGRAM
  • Take Action
  • BIG 3
    • GM
    • FORD
    • STELLANTIS
  • Press
  • Organize
    • AUTOWORKERS: STAND UP!
    • NO UNION = NO RIGHTS
    • CONTACT UAW ORGANIZING
    • A WORKER HAS A RIGHT
  • News
    • MEDIA COVERAGE
  • UAW Made
    • AUTOMOBILES
    • PRODUCTS & SERVICES
  • Monitor
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
Featured, News

Building on Historic Union Victory, Volkswagen Workers in Chattanooga Rally to Win Strong First Contract

CHATTANOOGA – After an historic victory earlier this year, where Volkswagen workers in Chattanooga voted almost 3-to-1 to join the United Auto Workers (UAW), union members are now turning their attention to securing a strong first contract. On September 19, workers will begin negotiations with Volkswagen, aiming to win a first agreement that raises standards and includes wages, benefits, and protections on par with those secured by autoworkers in unionized plants.

The vote marked a watershed moment in the labor movement, with Volkswagen workers in Chattanooga becoming the first Southern autoworkers outside the Big Three to unionize. Now, they are channeling that momentum toward bargaining for a contract that delivers meaningful improvements to their work and lives.

“Our victory in April was just the beginning,” said Samuel Gallardo, an assembly line worker at Volkswagen. “Now we are focused on winning a contract that reflects the hard work and dedication of every worker here. We’ve shown that when we stand together, we win—first our union, and soon a contract that guarantees higher wages, better benefits, and a brighter future for all.”

As they prepare for the first day of bargaining on September 19, UAW members are rallying to show their unity and determination to secure a fair agreement. The rally will feature workers, union leaders, and community supporters, all standing together in solidarity as they demand the wages, benefits, and protections they deserve.

“This contract is about more than just numbers—it’s about dignity, respect, and real security for our families,” said Bashaar Al-Hussieni, a worker at the Chattanooga plant. “We voted for the union because we knew we deserved better. Now we’re ready to make sure that our first contract delivers on that promise.”

With the success of recent Big Three and Daimler Truck negotiations as inspiration, Volkswagen workers in Chattanooga are setting a powerful example of what’s possible when workers come together to demand fairness at work.

With representation across every department and shift, the 20-person elected bargaining committee has been meeting for weeks to synthesize survey data about members’ aspirations and goals for the first agreement. Supported by veteran negotiator Chuck Browning, UAW Vice President, the group has been reviewing company and industry data and contract language from agreements with Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis.

September 15, 2024
Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on X
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share by Mail
https://uaw.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/VWrally3edit.jpg 925 1600 Justin Mayhugh https://uaw.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/uaw-logo-white-transparent-trademark-300x300.png Justin Mayhugh2024-09-15 13:38:102024-09-16 01:12:37Building on Historic Union Victory, Volkswagen Workers in Chattanooga Rally to Win Strong First Contract
You might also like
UAW Wheel logoUAW Reaches Tentative Agreement at Ford’s River Rouge – Tool & Die Unit
Photo of a Mercedes worker holding a sign that says, "Mercedes Workers United."“Living Large at Mercedes?”: New UAW Video Exposes Staggering CEO Pay at Mercedes Ahead of Alabama Plant Union Vote
Photo of UAW Local 766 members on the picket line at Lockheed Martin in Colorado on May 1, 2025.UAW Members Strike at Lockheed Martin, as Company Announces $1.7 Billion in First Quarter Profits
Photo of UAW Local 1853 members on strike at GM Spring Hill during the union's 2023 Stand Up Strike.Autoworkers Score Major Victory in Tennessee as GM Announces $4 Billion Reinvestment in U.S. Plants
Portrait photo of Godwin Ameyaw, who works at the Volkswagen PDC in Cranbury, NJ.Breaking: Union Drive for Volkswagen Workers Goes National As New Jersey VW Workers File to Join UAW
UAW Wheel logoU.S. Senators Call on Non-Union Auto Companies to Stop Union-Busting 

STAY UPDATED

MEMBERS, FAMILY AND FRIENDS: GET UAW ACTION UPDATES ON YOUR PHONE. TEXT “JOIN” TO 99795. SIGN UP FOR UAWIRE AND GET UAW ACTION UPDATES VIA EMAIL: Sign Up

Recent Posts

  • UAW Hails Decision of Federal Judge to Restore Terminated NIH Grants June 17, 2025
  • UAW Executive Board Elects Laura Dickerson as Vice President to Succeed Chuck Browning June 13, 2025
  • UAW Region 1 Makes History: Tentative Agreement Reached at Evolution After Two-Year Organizing Fight June 13, 2025

Solidarity Magazine

Solidarity Magazine New Member Issue 2024
UAW Logo

UAW SOLIDARITY HOUSE

8000 East Jefferson Avenue
Detroit, Michigan 48214

(313) 926-5000

Union Plus Logo

Connect

  • Press Inquiries
  • Get UAW Action Alerts – Text “JOIN” to “99795”
  • Get Email Updates

Organize

  • Non-Union Autoworkers Stand Up!
  • Want to Organize with the UAW?

Latest News

UAW Hails Decision of Federal Judge to Restore Terminated NIH Grants

https://uaw.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/NIH-campus.jpg 840 1430 Chris Skelly https://uaw.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/uaw-logo-white-transparent-trademark-300x300.png Chris Skelly2025-06-17 12:21:222025-06-17 12:21:22UAW Hails Decision of Federal Judge to Restore Terminated NIH Grants

UAW Executive Board Elects Laura Dickerson as Vice President to Succeed Chuck Browning

https://uaw.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Dickerson_banner_WHM.png 1088 2833 Justin Mayhugh https://uaw.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/uaw-logo-white-transparent-trademark-300x300.png Justin Mayhugh2025-06-13 13:59:412025-06-13 13:59:41UAW Executive Board Elects Laura Dickerson as Vice President to Succeed Chuck Browning

UAW Region 1 Makes History: Tentative Agreement Reached at Evolution After Two-Year Organizing Fight

https://uaw.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/UAW-Wheel-generic-feature.jpg 576 1024 Justin Mayhugh https://uaw.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/uaw-logo-white-transparent-trademark-300x300.png Justin Mayhugh2025-06-13 12:51:012025-06-13 13:06:30UAW Region 1 Makes History: Tentative Agreement Reached at Evolution After Two-Year Organizing Fight
People's Voice Winner Award
Webby Award Logo
© 2023 UAW - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Privacy Policy  |  iSynergy Website Design
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Youtube
  • Vimeo
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
US District Court Issues Rare Injunction Against Automaker Lucid for Firing...Photo of the Lucid Motors manufacturing facility in Arizona.UAW Wheel logoUAW Files Federal Labor Charges, Grievances Against Stellantis for Violating...
Scroll to top
Get Member Info

Get Member Updates

This secure form is for collecting your information for union communication purposes only.

  • Used for member verification purposes only. Numbers only. Ex: 1234
  • Numbers only. Ex: 2330