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The Latest: Volkwagen CEO Refutes Corker's Claim

VW CEO Refutes Corker's Claim

Yesterday, U.S. Senator Bob Corker said if plant workers decide to reject the United Auto Workers, that could clinch the deal on Chattanooga being chosen as the production site of for anew Volkswagen SUV.  But this morning, Frank Fischer, CEO and Chairman of Volkswagen Chattanooga, issued the following statement:

“There is no connection between our Chattanooga employees’ decision about whether to be represented by a union and the decision about where to build a new product for the U.S. market."

UPDATE 2/13/14 2:20 p.m.: Senator Corker has responded.  In a media release, Corker says, "Believe me, the decisions regarding the Volkswagen expansion are not being made by anyone in management at the Chattanooga plant and we are also very aware Frank Fischer is having to use old talking points when he responds to press inquiries,” said Corker.  “After all these years and my involvement with Volkswagen, I would not have made the statement I made yesterday without being confident it was true and factual."

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Questions Remain About New VW Suppliers

If Chattanooga VW plant workers choose UAW representation, parts suppliers might set up operations in North Georgia instead of Chattanooga, according to Mark Sweeney, who is senior principal of a consulting firm that helps companies decide where to build new locations.  "They might go to a different jurisdiction that might be a little less prone to UAW influence," Sweeney told the Chattanooga Times Free Press.

Voting at the plant continues today and concludes Friday.