Workers at Non-Union Automakers in the U.S. Lodge Unfair Labor Practice Charges, Defying Union-Busting Tactics

By Moon Harper

Dec 13, 2023 12:25 AM EST

The United Auto Workers (UAW) has accused Honda, Hyundai, and Volkswagen of unfair labor practices, filing charges with the National Labor Relations Board. The authorities allege that the automakers unlawfully interfered with worker organizing, as stated by the union on Monday. Hyundai and Honda deny the allegations, while Volkswagen said it takes such claims seriously and will investigate.

Union-Busting Claims

The union claims that activities include monitoring workers at Honda and confiscating, destroying, and restricting "pro-union materials in non-work areas during non-work times" at Hyundai. At Volkswagen, the UAW claims that management has engaged in actions such as harassing and threatening workers for discussing the union, confiscating and destroying pro-union materials in the break room, attempting to intimidate and unlawfully silence pro-union workers, and trying to unlawfully prevent workers from distributing union literature and discussing union matters in non-work areas during non-work time.

UAW President Shawn Fain stated that the companies are breaking the law to silence autoworkers instead of letting them fight for their fair share. He added that the workers demonstrate that they won't be intimidated and will continue to speak up and organize for a better life.

Automakers' Stance

Representatives for Honda and Hyundai disputed the union's claims, asserting that joining a union is up to the workers. Hyundai mentioned that the union's description of events in its press statement does not accurately reflect the situation and expressed eagerness to present the facts through participation in the legal process.

Honda encourages its associates to gather information on the issue and asserts that the company has not and will not interfere with their right to engage in activities supporting or opposing the UAW, according to a company spokesperson in an email. The filings were not immediately accessible on the NLRB's website, but the union supplied them to CNBC.

The alleged actions leading to the accusations against the employers occurred in the past six months, as stated in the filings signed by UAW outside counsel Benjamin Dictor, an attorney with Eisner Dictor & Lamadrid based in New York.

The charges emerged about two weeks after the UAW announced an unprecedented campaign to organize 13 non-union automakers in the U.S. This initiative followed the union's successful negotiation of record contracts with the three Detroit automakers: General Motors, Ford Motor, and Stellantis.

The "30-50-70 UAW Strategy"

In a recent online broadcast, Fain discussed the UAW's organizing strategy known as the "30-50-70 strategy." This involves going public when committees reach 30% support. Fain holds a rally at the location by 50% and demands recognition or proceeds to a vote at 70%.

Decline in UAW Membership and Expansion Plans

The UAW's membership has significantly decreased, dropping from around 700,000 in 2001 to 383,000 in early 2023, peaking at 1.5 million in 1979. Fain has pledged to expand beyond the "Big Three" to the "Big Five or Big Six" by April 2028, when the union's contracts with Detroit automakers expire. In line with the union's negotiation approach and the "Stand Up Strike," Fain clarified that the UAW doesn't target a specific company. Still, instead, all companies are considered targets.