• Employees at Volkswagen’s Chattanooga, Tennessee plant have filed unfair labor practice charges, alleging that United Auto Workers (“UAW”) representatives misled and coerced them into signing union authorization cards. The workers claim UAW organizers told them the cards would be used for a secret ballot election, but in fact the union sought to use the cards in support of a demand for a card-check recognition. If the UAW is ultimately successful in gaining recognition at VW’s Chattanooga plant – which would be a first for the union at any foreign-owned auto plant in the South – it is anticipated the parties would discuss creation of a European-style “works council” at the facility. Tennessee Senator Bob Corker and Governor Bill Haslam have expressed concern over union organizing at the plant because they believe it could deter business investment in the state. 
  • The Committee of Interns and Residents, an affiliate of the Service Employees International Union (“SEIU”), filed a representation election petition with the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB” or “Board”) on behalf of a group of about 150 resident physicians at Elmhurst Hospital Center in Queens, New York According to the union, the residents want “a stronger voice in how money is allocated in their hospital.” Many of the residents are graduates of foreign medical schools and are the sole income providers for their families due to visa restrictions imposed on family members.