Unions, Undaunted, Likely To Take New Tack After VW Defeat

In the wake of the United Auto Workers’ defeat at a Tennessee Volkswagen plant, labor efforts are likely going to aim at making gains with small numbers of employees in less high-pressure scenarios, writes Steven W. Suflas with Ballard Spahr. Recent actions by the NLRB, including new rules allowing for a streamlined union election process, give unions some leverage, and in the case of the auto industry in the South, union attention could turn to suppliers. Suflas also expects the “unprecedented” outside influence exerted on the vote, including indirect threats from state lawmakers that a pro-union vote could effectively shutter the plant, to be the subject of future lawsuits.