Posted on 02/10/2014 1:22:43 PM PST by don-o
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Republican lawmakers in Tennessee are threatening that the state could turn off the spigot of incentives for Volkswagen if workers at the German automaker's plant decide this week to approve union representation.
(Excerpt) Read more at timesnews.net ...
I’m no fan of the modern union, but why should the state legislature get involved in such a private agreement?
Good question. I have no answer.
They’re providing tax breaks to VW based upon a non-unionized workforce. I say yank them.
I dunno. Even Corker has added his voice. Sounds like the usual idiocy from the Stupid Party.
Back when radio was the hottest consumer product on the planet Atwater Kent was a premier brand. Kent hated unions. When he got wind of organizing activity at his plant he warned that if the workforce unionized he would shutter the plant permanently. They did. He did.
Unions, be careful what you wish for.
Did they get that in writing? I doubt it. I would guess that this was in VW's master plan from the get go.
Because the state is already involved by giving them special tax incentives, which should not happen in the first place.
Yeah, and how long will “their” plan last once the UAW gets it’s foot in their door?
Then again, it could just be VW’s destiny to serve as a warning to BMW, Mercedes and other auto manufacturers running non union plants in right to work states ...
“Their plan is that the union negotiates wages and benefits while an employee works council sets work rules and conditions.”
VW is dreaming if they think that would be the case. The union will dictate the rules if they get their greedy foot in the door.
Sen Bob Corker arranged for $MILLIONS of so called “incentives” for VW ...
Lots of free goodies for the families of the German bosses who moved to Chattanooga..
Thanks for nothing Bob...
And where exactly did the agreement say that?
I say yank them.
I have no doubt there are 49 other states that would allow Volkswagon to build their plant and not try to micromanage it.
It seems obvious to me that local and state officials made tax breaks and other incentives for VW to operate.
So yeah. If workers do Unionize - Tenneesee should beat the hell out of them as they take back the government goodies.
Sen Bob Corker arranged for $MILLIONS of so called “incentives” for VW ...
Lots of free goodies for the families of the German bosses who moved to Chattanooga..
Thanks for nothing Bob...
Tax breaks should be for all or not given.
Why is it the legislature's business? If VW and the workers are stupid enough to set up a union, that's their business, not the legislature's
So will the state also tell them what cars to build and who to sell them to?
The deal was pretty straight-forward. VW said give us the tax incentives and we'll build the plant and bring thousands of jobs to Chatanooga. VW has kept their end of the bargain. The plant is there, the jobs are at about 1800 and climbing, and thousands of tax dollars are flowing into the state coffers as a result. If Tennessee now wants to change the game and tell VW how they should run their business then why shouldn't VW move to another state and sue Tennessee for the costs?
_________________________________________________________
The state forgoes taxes so that a company will locate there. The state did not forgo taxes so that union members can take advantage of the taxpayers for higher wages. In other words if the union gets in the state will be subsidizing the wages, in effect helping the people that get the subsidy make more money than the average taxpayer in TN. The company came in because of the lower cost represented by the tax incentives, the company has a lot more invested than what they get by reduced taxes. They could have gone to another state but TN told them they could make a better profit there. Now the UAW wants to get their piece of that profit, and for what? What value do they provide. The German company already has better benefits than most companies in the US. About the only place you can get a better deal than a German company is working for the Federal Government.
We have seen what the unions did to International Harvester, to GM and to Chrysler. Ok, now we want to kill another American Factory. VW could have gone to Mexico but they came here. Being here has a lot of advantages to TN, many people in high paying jobs that likely would not be were it not for the plant. Sure we need to kill another golden egg laying goose.
I won't disagree with that. But once the state chooses to give the tax breaks then as long as the company receiving them lives up to their end of the bargain the the state should stay they hell out of how they run their business.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.