Attempts to unionize at Nissan Tennessee plant fall short
The 62-9 vote against the union at Nissan’s Smyna, TN plant is a disappointing result for those who advocated to unionize for two years. Spanning over the course of two presenting administrations, machinists who supported unionizing battled it out before the National Labor Relations Board. Advocates say the delayed response from the Board on moving forward with the vote effected support for the movement.
Nissan's position on unions has been a contentious issue in recent years. The company has a history of resisting unionization efforts in its plants around the world, including in the United States, Europe, and Asia. In the United States, Nissan has been accused of union-busting tactics, such as intimidating workers and discouraging them from organizing. The United Auto Workers (UAW) has been trying to unionize Nissan's plant in Canton, Mississippi, for several years, but the company has resisted these efforts. In 2017, workers at the plant voted against unionizing in a closely watched election that was marred by allegations of unfair labor practices.
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