'This feels totally different': For 3rd time, VW workers mull joining UAW

'Still No UAW'

There is opposition to the UAW on the ground in Chattanooga, and it’s being circulated by a group that calls itself “Still No UAW.”

Corey Linn, 39, a 13-year worker at the Volkswagen plant, said in an interview that he's one of the leaders of the Still No UAW campaign, which workers run with support from area businesses and Chattanooga residents.

"I'm voting no because we've had a lot of really good changes since I've been there, and I'm just really concerned if the UAW gets in, that could possibly shut our plant down, or there could possibly be layoffs," Linn said.

Posts on the "Still No UAW" Facebook page and website encourage workers to vote no because the UAW has endorsed President Joe Biden in his reelection bid against former president Donald Trump. Biden is the only U.S. president ever to walk a picket line when he did so last year in Michigan with UAW President Shawn Fain during the union’s strike against the Detroit Three automakers.

One post read: “TRUMP SAYS -----> VOTE NO!!!” above a cutout picture of the former president with “Shawn Fain is a dope vote no!” in a speech bubble above him.

On Monday afternoon, new signs supporting this group were displayed outside the plant. By Tuesday morning, they were gone. Down the road, large blue “Back Biden, Vote UAW” signs remained.

Linn said more of the "Still No UAW" signs were taken down again Wednesday after putting more up on Tuesday.

"The last two elections we had, it wasn't as tense as it is now. It's more like harassing, bullying ... that kind of atmosphere," Linn said. "A lot of people that are voting no wouldn't even help with our campaign because they don't want to be in the spotlight because of all the retaliation."

During the week of the voting, the “Still No UAW” Facebook page published several video employee testimonials of why they are voting no in this election. “I don’t trust Biden. I don’t trust the UAW. I’m voting no,” the employees chant together in the video.

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