(Note: This episode originally ran in 2023.)

Union membership in the U.S. has been declining for decades. But, in 2022, support for unions among Americans was the highest it's been in decades. This dissonance is due, in part, to the difficulties of one important phase in the life cycle of a union: setting up a union in the first place. One place where that has been particularly clear is at the Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Back in 2008, Volkswagen announced that they would be setting up production in the United States after a 20-year absence. They planned to build a new auto manufacturing plant in Chattanooga.

Volkswagen has plants all over the world, all of which have some kind of worker representation, and the company said that it wanted that for Chattanooga too. So, the United Auto Workers, the union that traditionally represents auto workers, thought they would be able to successfully unionize this plant.

They were wrong.

In this episode, we tell the story of the UAW's 10-year fight to unionize the Chattanooga plant. And, what other unions can learn from how badly that fight went for labor.

This episode was hosted by Amanda Aronczyk and Nick Fountain. It was produced by Willa Rubin. It was engineered by Josephine Nyounai, fact-checked by Sierra Juarez, and edited by Keith Romer. Alex Goldmark is our executive producer.

Help support Planet Money and get bonus episodes by subscribing to Planet Money+ in Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org/planetmoney.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Jackie Miller and her son, Scott Miller, always shared everything with each other, even if it was hard. Scott knew his mother wanted to live life on her own terms, but he wasn't prepared for how she wanted to end it.

If you want to leave the StoryCorps Podcast a voicemail, call us at 702-706-TALK. Or email us at podcast@storycorps.org.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

The Australian artist performs songs from her latest album.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Thirty years into the opioid crisis, we still struggle to find other options for pain relief. This hour, TED speakers explain new understandings of how the brain interprets pain and new ideas to cope. Guests include equestrian Kat Naud, physician and researcher Amy Baxter and opioid reform advocate Cammie Wolf Rice.

TED Radio Hour+ subscribers now get access to bonus episodes, with more ideas from TED speakers and a behind the scenes look with our producers. A Plus subscription also lets you listen to regular episodes (like this one!) without sponsors. Sign-up at plus.npr.org/ted.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Students welcomed the giant puppet and her message of empathy for refugees fleeing war, famine and persecution around the globe.

The UCLA graduate student is helping ensure that Native ecology drives the region’s land management for centuries to come.

A new study finds higher temperatures increase evaporation enough to cause drought without any reduction in precipitation.

From Nov. 18–22, units across campus will host events highlighting global issues and international opportunities for students.

Toronto, ON – For the second year in row a team from the Master of Financial Engineering program at Baruch College in New York City has won the Rotman International Trading Competition. The 14th annual edition of one of the world’s preeminent trading competitions was hosted by the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management […]

U of T’s reigning champs eye Americas-wide record at the 2016 Shell Eco-marathon Americas Challenge Toronto, ON – Imagine driving from Toronto to San Francisco and back on three litres of gasoline. That’s exactly the kind of vehicle a University of Toronto Suoermileage Team, will be unveiling on April 16 along with another battery-electric powered car. It’s […]

Toronto, ON –  When a person suffers cardiac arrest, there is a one in five chance a potentially life-saving Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is nearby. But up to 30 per cent of the time, the device is locked inside a closed building, according to a study led by U of T Engineering researchers, published today […]

Toronto, ON –  University of Toronto professor Michael Sefton (ChemE, IBBME) has been presented with a major research award from international diabetes foundation JDRF to advance treatment research for type 1 diabetes (T1D). The funding, valued at approximately $1.1 million ($845,135 USD), supports a three-year study at the University of Toronto’s Institute of Biomaterials & […]

The following is a list of University of Toronto experts who can comment on the Democrats staging a sit-in for gun reform. Jennifer Carlson, Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology (U of T Mississauga) Expertise: Gun culture in the U.S., Strength of the NRA Tel: (312) 391‑1433 Email: jennifer.carlson@utoronto.ca Jooyoung Lee, Assistant Professor of Sociology Expertise: Gun violence, Gun […]

The following is a list of University of Toronto experts who can comment on Brexit: domino effect in the EU. Jennifer Jenkins, Associate Professor, Canada Research Chair in Modern German History Department of History, University of Toronto Expertise: German Reaction Tel: 416–522-2371 Email: jl.jenkins@utoronto.ca Jens Hanssen, Associate Professor of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean History Expertise:  German reaction to […]

TORONTO, ON — A team of scientists from Canada and Australia have discovered that the decline in shark populations is detrimental to coral reefs. “Where shark numbers are reduced due to commercial fishing, there is also a decrease in the herbivorous fishes which play a key role in promoting reef health,” said Jonathan Ruppert, a […]

Team led by U of T Engineering designs world’s most efficient catalyst for storing energy as hydrogen by splitting water moleculesToronto, ON — We can’t control when the wind blows and when the sun shines, so finding efficient ways to store energy from alternative sources remains an urgent research problem. Now, a group of researchers led […]

TORONTO, ON – Chief Shawn A‑in-chut Atleo has been named the first William A. Macdonald, Q.C Distinguished Fellow in Indigenous Education at the University of Toronto’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE). As a Distinguished Fellow, Chief Atleo will support OISE’s new Indigenous Education Initiative, a comprehensive five-year program to explore the educational needs and […]

Chief Shawn A‑in-chut Atleo has been named the first William A. Macdonald, Q.C Distinguished Fellow in Indigenous Education at the University of Toronto’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE). As a Distinguished Fellow, Chief Atleo will support OISE’s new Indigenous Education Initiative, a comprehensive five-year program to explore the educational needs and aspirations of Indigenous peoples […]

International team of scientists to offer update on detection efforts, U of T collaborators to comment at live-viewing eventToronto, ON– Media are invited to view a live webcast at the University of Toronto (U of T) as the National Science Foundation brings together scientists from Caltech, MIT, and the LIGO Scientific Collaboration this Thursday at […]

U of T experts to discuss how sport shapes identity and reflects humanityToronto, ON — How can sport act as a platform to promote human rights and break down barriers? How can it reflect and define our cultural identity and shape gender roles? Join U of T’s Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education for Sport, […]

TORONTO, ON – The University of Edinburgh is bringing a number of high profile academic experts to Toronto from 17–21 June, as part of its General Council Meeting this year. Two academics in particular will be available to speak to reporters about the September 18th Independence Referendum in Scotland and how this event compares to […]

TORONTO, ON-   The global paralysis on the Syrian crisis has led to the largest refugee crisis ever witnessed by the international community, with millions of Syrians being uprooted and displaced. The Canadian government has announced a plan to welcome 25,000 refugees by the end of February in 2016 but much work needs to be done […]

Toronto, ON — Studies have shown that immigrants to the U.S., Canada, and Australia tend to be healthier and live longer than non-immigrants in their host countries, once adjustments have been made for income and education. There has been a great deal of speculation as to why this “healthy migrant effect” exists. One hypothesis proposes […]

In this re-launch of the podcast, we take a spring stroll in unexpected places with author and urban enthusiast, Shawn Micallef. He writes about city explorations for The Toronto Star, Spacing Magazine and in his books, The Trouble With Brunch, and Stroll, from Coach House Books. For more, visit http://news.utoronto.ca     Transcript: Strolling with Shawn […]

How can Torontonians learn to adore their city in the midst of the 2015 Pan Am & Parapan Am Games? Shawn Micallef writes about Toronto and urban issues for Spacing Magazine and the Toronto Star. He’s also authored The Trouble With Brunch and Stroll from Coach House Books. Micallef brings his own experiences from exploring […]

As voters in Alberta and Quebec head to the polls, and a year before municipal elections in Ontario and through much of the rest of the country, a new paper looks at the potential for electoral reform and its consequences Toronto, ON – With municipal elections in Ontario, British Columbia, Manitoba, PEI, and the Territories just […]

TORONTO, ON — The International Human Rights program (IHRP) has received a $75,000 grant from the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) to launch a project exposing the negative impact of Canada’s refugee policies on some of the world’s most vulnerable claimants—people with HIV or at-risk of HIV due to rampant violence, discrimination based on sexual […]

New report highlights how Mexico remains unsafe, particularly for people affected by HIVToronto, ON – Canada should remove Mexico from its refugee ‘safe’ list because of the country’s serious human rights abuses, the University of Toronto’s International Human Rights Program (IHRP) said in a new report released today. Failure to do so could place Canada in […]

Allow experienced drivers from war-torn countries to skip driving-test waiting period similar to other newcomers in OntarioToronto, ON – Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation should revise its policy and allow experienced drivers from war-torn countries to skip the one-year waiting period before their final driving tests — an exemption available to other newcomers in Ontario as well […]

On this episode, we share two stories about food and memory.

Host: Kate Tellers

Storytellers:

Terry Wolfisch Cole learns a lesson from her father.

Michael Imber tries to become his grandmother’s “angel boy.”

If you’d like to share your own story, or would just love to hear some incredible live storytelling, check out a Story Slam near you: https://themoth.org/events

The Moth would like to thank its listeners and supporters. Stories like these are made possible by community giving. If you’re not already a member, please consider becoming one or making a one-time donation today at themoth.org/giveback

Podcast: 869

I'm very excited to depart for Japan on Sunday for the first time in five years! The week of November 11, I'll be part of Katie Anderson‘s Japan Study Trip, this time after five previous trips between 2012 and 2019 with Kaizen Institute and Honsha Consulting. Read my posts about past trips. Each time, I've learned something new, visited new companies, and met new people — and have just enjoyed everything about being in Japan. […]

The post Reflecting on my First Time Meeting Isao Yoshino in Japan — 2012 by Mark Graban appeared first at Lean Blog.

Hard-to-meet goals can frustrate children with ADHD. Deploy these approaches to prevent meltdowns and transform relationships.

In today's fast-paced and ever-evolving business landscape, companies require top talent to keep up with the competition, innovate, and, ultimately, succeed. At the heart of every successful company lies an efficient and effective hiring process. With the recruitment industry becoming increasingly specialized and advanced, many companies are turning to Recruitment as a Service (RaaS) to turbocharge their talent acquisition efforts. RaaS is an innovative model that offers candidate sourcing, assessment, interviewing, and onboarding in a ...

One of the most critical performance factors for hiring teams is time to hire. Only 30% of organizations can fill a position within 30 days. The remaining candidates take anything from one to four months to get hired. Why should you try to shorten the hiring process? Taking too long to fill a ...

They're motivated, they're eager to make a difference, and they bring a breath of fresh air to every team. I'm talking, of course, about college students and recent graduates. Young talent is a real asset for a company, which is why competition for these candidates is so high. To attract qualified young professionals, you need a solid university marketing plan. Understanding University Markting But what exactly is university marketing? To put it simply, "university marketing" refers to your means of ...

From the way we find jobs to the way we find love, from the way we connect with our friends to the way we connect with colleagues and customers, technology has fundamentally altered the very foundations of how we work, how we live and how we experience the world around us - for better or for worse. Except, of course, for when it comes to talent sourcing or recruiting, where

A little healthy competition is a good thing — under the right circumstances and with the right people. In many industries, internal competition has long been used to increase everything from productivity to profits. But what about using competition as part of your employee engagement strategy? Does pitting individual workers against each other really increase engagement across the board? While there are

Even before COVID-19 took the world by storm, giving everyone a "new normal," remote work was already on the rise. Prior to the global pandemic a study by Upwork from their Future Workplace Report found that 5x the number of hiring managers expect more of their team to work remotely in the next 10-years. Now, given the new state of the world, every company that can has been forced to rapidly adopt remote work as a means to continue business operations ...

Bell Flight, Boeing, Defense Logistics Agency – Troop Support, Sikorsky, A Lockheed Martin Company and Oshkosh Defense top the list of out-of-state OEMs attending the expo.

Yesterday, Mashable published a piece on Facebook's potentially massive IPO. The numbers are absolutely astounding: if Facebook's IPO goes as expected, it will raise six times as much money as Google's. But even more incredibly, this will value the company at $100 billion. For some comparison, let's look at a corporate giant like Pfizer. It's currently ...

Company to reduce carbon footprint 25% by 2025, launch STEM scholarship program.

High temperatures in industrial settings are a leading cause of downtime. Controlling units and microprocessors age quickly under heat pressure, which means that generated heat must be removed efficiently or heat damage will occur.

A question-and-answer period will follow the webinar. A recorded version will be available for later viewing.

Do I need a 3D CT volume with the highest resolution for a detailed analysis, or is a fast overview scan sufficient to define the regions from which I want to make additional high-resolution detail scans?

A paper released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) addresses the importance of renewable energy in mitigating climate change and the challenges posed by the global energy crisis. It emphasizes the need to improve energy efficiency in response to increased energy consumption worldwide.

Batteries are key to electrification, demanding high-quality control and efficient production. The use of Automated Defect Recognition (ADR) and other technologies is critical as the industry aims to scale up to meet the rising demand from electronics, electric vehicles, and energy storage sectors, while also minimizing environmental impacts.

The International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG®) spearheaded a monumental effort twenty-five years ago to establish uniform standards across the aviation, space, and defense industries, aiming to streamline operations while bolstering quality and safety.

Serving as the Chair of the ASQ Inspection Division has been a remarkable journey of leadership, collaboration, and growth. It has been both a privilege and a responsibility to guide the division through strategic initiatives aimed at empowering our members and elevating the quality profession.

If you are blinded by any stigma, you are limiting your creativity.

Calibration is essential for maintaining quality and safety in industries like pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, and chemicals. The future looks to digital certificates and AI technology to make calibration processes faster and more efficient. This article discusses how AI is set to transform calibration.