Volkswagen Chattanooga Workers Consider UAW Contract

Vote to ratify new labor agreement scheduled for February 18-19.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Employees at Volkswagen's manufacturing plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, who are represented by the United Auto Workers union, are set to vote on whether to ratify a new labor contract with the automaker. The voting period will take place over two days, from 1 p.m. on February 18 to 4 p.m. on February 19.

Why it matters

This vote represents a significant milestone for the UAW's efforts to gain a stronger foothold in the traditionally anti-union American South. A successful ratification would solidify the union's presence at one of Volkswagen's key production facilities in the region.

The details

The new contract under consideration would set the terms of employment, including wages, benefits, and work rules, for the roughly 3,800 UAW-represented workers at the Chattanooga Volkswagen plant. Both the union and the automaker have been negotiating the agreement over the past several months.

  • The voting period will take place from 1 p.m. on February 18 to 4 p.m. on February 19, 2026.

The players

United Auto Workers (UAW)

A labor union that represents workers in the automotive industry, including employees at Volkswagen's Chattanooga plant.

Volkswagen

A German automaker that operates a manufacturing facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where the UAW-represented workers are employed.

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What’s next

If the contract is ratified, it will set the terms of employment for the UAW-represented workers at the Chattanooga Volkswagen plant for the next several years. If the contract is rejected, the union and the automaker will need to return to the negotiating table to reach a new agreement.

The takeaway

The outcome of this vote will have significant implications for the UAW's efforts to expand its presence in the South, a region that has traditionally been less receptive to organized labor. A successful ratification would bolster the union's influence in the region's automotive industry.