CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – In response to recent comments made by Tennessee politicians, the UAW issued the following statement from Mike Herron, chairman of UAW Local 1853, which includes the General Motors Spring Hill facility. Herron served for three years as co-chair of Spring Hill’s economic development organization at the request of the former mayor.
“Statements made by Tennessee lawmakers and outside special interests couldn’t be further from the truth. The UAW has had a very positive impact on economic development in the state of Tennessee. The General Motors Spring Hill Assembly plant was idled during the economic crisis. It is only open today because the UAW negotiated to re-open the plant in 2011 collective bargaining.
“Our collective bargaining agreement resulted in a $350 million investment from GM and more than 1,800 jobs at plant and thousands more at businesses that support Spring Hill. GM will add at least another 1,800 jobs with the addition of two new products. GM does not have any problem attracting suppliers to Tennessee or getting incentives from the state. When you’re going to bring 2,000 jobs to the state, people are interested in participating. There’s no shortage of elected officials who are eager to be a part of that process.
“It’s time for Tennesseans to pull together and support economic development in the state, whether the workers choose to be in a union or not.”
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