A group of workers at the Nissan North America – Smyrna plant recently voted against unionizing and being represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) in a 62-9 vote, according to a report by The Associated Press.
Nissan spokesperson Lloryn Love-Carter said the workers “elected to maintain their direct relationship with the company,” in a statement following the vote, the AP noted.
“Our history reflects that Nissan respects the right of employees to determine who should represent their interests in the workplace,” Love-Carter said in an earlier statement prior to the vote, the news outlet previously reported. “However, we believe our workplace is stronger without the involvement of third-party unions, including the IAM, that have not been involved in our history of quality job creation and do not understand the relationship we have with Nissan teammates.”
The failed vote comes as rates of union membership fell to an all time low of 10.1 percent in 2022, according to a January report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
The Nissan Smyrna Vehicle Assembly Plant, established in 1983, once produced more vehicles than all other plants in America. The following Nissan models are produced at the Smyrna plant: Nissan Murano, Nissan Maxima, Nissan LEAF, Nissan Pathfinder, Nissan Rogue, and the Infiniti QX60.
Nissan called the opening of the plant a “groundbreaking moment, bringing automotive production to Tennessee for the first time,” adding, “The plant has become a force for economic development, creating thousands of well-paying jobs and inspiring other auto companies and suppliers to set up operations in the state.”
The plant produces roughly 640,000 vehicles per year and employs roughly 8,500 Tennesseans – establishing itself as one of Rutherford County’s largest employers.
Nissan also operates a powertrain plant in Decherd which provides engines for all Nissan and Infiniti vehicles built at the company’s vehicle assembly plants in Smyrna and Canton, Mississippi.
The Decherd powertrain plant, established in 1997, employs roughly 1,850 Tennesseans.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
Photo “Nissan Manufacturing” by Nissan.
Now if Nissan will reject the biggest union of all… the Chamber of Commerce…