US senators urge Tesla, other automakers to stay neutral in union organizing
By David Shepardson
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A group of 33 senators on Thursday urged Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) and 12 other automakers to remain neutral in ongoing efforts by the United Auto Workers (UAW) to organize U.S. auto plants.
The letter, signed by Democrats Gary Peters, Ron Wyden, Dick Durbin, Patty Murray, Alex Padilla, Sherrod Brown Debbie Stabenow and others, went to Tesla CEO Elon Musk and top executives at Toyota Motor (NYSE:TM), Volkswagen (ETR:VOWG_p), Hyundai, Rivian (NASDAQ:RIVN), Mercedes-Benz (OTC:MBGAF), Honda (NYSE:HMC), Nissan (OTC:NSANY), BMW (ETR:BMWG) and others, urging them to pledge not to interfere in any organizing activities.
«We believe a neutrality agreement is the bare minimum standard manufacturers should meet in respecting workers’ rights, especially as companies receive and benefit from federal funds related to the electric vehicle transition,» the letter first reported by Reuters said.
The letter raised concerns about reports that management of numerous automakers has acted illegally to block unionization efforts. It also cited National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) findings that Tesla employed «multiple illegal tactics aimed at stopping organizing efforts including online harassment, employee interrogations, and retaliatory firings.»
VW refuted claims of union-busting and intimidation by the German automaker. It said claims VW destroyed pro-union materials in a breakroom at the company's Tennessee plant were untrue and that the room had simply been cleaned by maintenance staff.
«Labor representation is part of our company's culture; half of our global supervisory board members are labor representatives,» VW said in a statement. «We respect our workers' right to decide the question of union
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