OPINION: Workplace freedom paramount for American workers in light of UAW tactics

In the heart of the American automotive industry, a battle is raging that transcends the assembly lines and directly affects the livelihoods of thousands of Tennessee autoworkers.

The United Auto Workers, backed by the Biden-Harris administration and liberal lawmakers, is employing questionable tactics in an attempt to expand its influence and boost its dwindling membership by organizing international automakers like Volkswagen and Toyota here in Tennessee.

As we delve into the UAW's strategies, the consequences of forced unionization, and the potential negative impacts on communities, it becomes apparent that preserving workplace freedom is paramount for the prosperity of American workers and their communities.

One of the UAW's contentious tactics is its relentless pursuit of eliminating the secret ballot in unionization votes. By pressuring employers to adopt card check as a means of unionization, where workers publicly state their stance on the union, the UAW undermines the principle of workplace freedom and employee choices.

Card check exposes workers to pressure, threats, and intimidation, and robs them of their privacy. It is interesting to note that internal union leadership elections are ALWAYS by secret ballot.

Last session, I joined several of my pro-freedom colleagues in supporting legislation to protect workers’ right to a secret ballot in a union election. Because unions like the UAW relentlessly pressure employers into accepting a card check process and cancelling real elections, we believe the people deserve an additional safeguard. Under the new law, any company that prospectively receives more than $20 million in state economic incentive dollars must allow workers to vote in a union election through a private ballot.

This would include all the automakers in Tennessee, including the Volkswagen facility in Chattanooga if they were ever to receive future economic incentives from the state.

Furthermore, attempts to keep crucial information from workers are deeply concerning. Neutrality agreements, pushed by Washington politicians and unions, hinder employers from discussing the potential drawbacks of unionization.

Senators from liberal states like California, Vermont, and New York are pressuring companies to sign these agreements, preventing them from providing a balanced perspective on the impact of the UAW. This tactic leaves workers reliant solely on the union for information, compromising their ability to make informed decisions and undermining the principles of open discourse.

Taken together, card check and neutrality agreements erode workers’ rights to make informed decisions based on their own conscience. This is not workplace democracy.

The mishandling of union dues is another point of contention. While unions are not obligated to use dues exclusively for workers' benefit, it is disconcerting to note that a significant portion is directed toward union boss salaries and political contributions. With over $1.6 billion contributed to political causes in the past eight years, the question arises: do workers want their hard-earned dues funding partisan politics?

The disproportionate allocation of funds to left-wing causes, including attacks on popular elected officials in Tennessee, raises concerns about the alignment of union priorities with the diverse perspectives of its members. Long story short, the unions rarely actually represent the interests and values of their workers.

The negative consequences of unchecked union expansion are not confined to the workplace; they extend to the economic health of communities. International automakers are vital contributors to the U.S. economy that provide high-quality jobs, tax revenue, and essential services. The UAW's aggressive tactics, coupled with the support of the Biden-Harris administration, risk jeopardizing these contributions and hindering the overall well-being of communities.

The battle for workplace freedom is not just a matter of individual choice; it is a fight for the economic health and prosperity of communities across the nation. The UAW's tactics, coupled with its political support for partisan leftwing politics, threaten the very essence of democracy in the workplace.

Preserving the right to a secret ballot – and not just in union boss elections, ensuring open communication, and addressing the misuse of union dues are crucial steps in safeguarding the interests of American workers and their communities. I hope the VW workers will reject, for a third time, the UAW’s aggressive push to unionize their plant – once the UAW gains a foothold they will never release their power grab.

Rep. Chris Todd, R-Madison County, serves the 73rd District in the Tennessee House of Representatives.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Herald: Todd: Workplace freedom paramount for workers in light of UAW tactics