In a historic vote, Tennessee Volkswagen workers get their first union contract [View all]

Source: NPR

Updated February 19, 2026 9:35 PM ET


Volkswagen workers in Chattanooga, Tennessee voted to ratify their first union contract Thursday, securing pay bumps, job protections and a rare win for the United Auto Workers union in the South.

It's been a long road to this contract. Workers initially voted twice against joining the union before casting ballots in favor in 2024, making this VW plant one of the few to unionize in the South, and the rare one that's not a member of the "Big 3" auto companies: Ford, General Motors and Stellantis. That was nearly two years ago and negotiations have dragged on since, with workers at one point granting the union the ability to call a strike if necessary.

But contract talks were resolved in early February when the UAW and Volkswagen struck a tentative agreement, which the workers have now voted to approve, with 96% of them voting yes.

"Today you showed the world Southern autoworkers are ready to fight," UAW President Shawn Fain said to workers after the results of the vote came in. "And to all the other non-union autoworkers out there," he continued, "come on in. The water's fine." In a statement after the tentative contract was announced, Volkswagen officials wrote, "These benefits recognize and reward the hard work and dedication our team members give every day."

Read more: https://www.npr.org/2026/02/19/nx-s1-5711458/union-uaw-volkswagen-tennessee-contract-vote