DETROIT — Republican governors of six states on Tuesday condemned the United Auto Workers' push to organize automotive factories in the South, warning the union's efforts could lead to layoffs and fewer future investments.
The joint statement — signed by governors in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas — comes a day before Volkswagen workers in Chattanooga, Tennessee, begin voting on whether to join the UAW.
The VW vote is part of an unprecedented labor organizing drive announced last year by UAW President Shawn Fain that targets 13 automakers operating in southern states and elsewhere.
"We have worked tirelessly on behalf of our constituents to bring good-paying jobs to our states.
Unionization would certainly put our states' jobs in jeopardy — in fact, in this year already, all of the UAW automakers have announced layoffs," read the statement.
Persons:
—, Texas —, Shawn Fain, Bill Lee
Organizations:
DETROIT, United Auto Workers, UAW, VW, General Motors, Ford Motor, Chrysler, Tennessee Gov
Locations:
Alabama , Georgia , Mississippi, South Carolina , Tennessee, Texas, Chattanooga , Tennessee