Amidst a significant win for the United Auto Workers (UAW) in Chattanooga, Tennessee, U.S. Labor Secretary Julie Su made waves in Atlanta, emphasizing that the right to unionize should be determined by workers, free from employer or political interference. In a bold stance conveyed to WABE, Su declared, "That choice belongs to worker, free from intervention, either by the employer or by politicians, free from retaliation and threats."

The recent win at a Volkswagen AG plant, where 73% of voting workers sided with the UAW, marks a watershed moment for unionization in the historically anti-union South. This victory precedes a scheduled vote at Mercedes factories in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, come May. However, Southern Republican governors remain in staunch opposition, fearing job losses. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee even went so far as to label the union vote "a mistake" and "a loss for workers," according to a statement obtained by WABE.

Secretary Su continued to advocate for unionized labor, highlighting the Biden administration's commitment to jobs in America, evident from grants supporting the transition to electric vehicles. Moreover, the administration has enacted a rule mandating union labor on federal construction projects over $35 million, despite some backlash from nonunion contractors concerned about competition and rising costs. Su underlined this point telling WABE, "That’s one way that we ensure that you’ve got good union workers on jobs."

However, Southern state leadership is pushing back through legislation designed to claw back economic incentives if companies recognize unions without a secret ballot election. Georgia's Governor Brian Kemp just signed such a bill into law, following Tennessee's lead from the previous year. Nonetheless, the National Labor Relations Act supports voluntary recognition, which union proponents argue is being circumvented by the new laws. Su's critique of union busting tactics, was strident, as she referenced a 2017 survey stating nearly half of American workers would vote to unionize if given the chance. "This is part of President Biden’s promise to center workers in the economy," Su affirmed, as per WABE.