CHATTANOOGA, TN—The United Auto Workers (UAW) union has filed unfair labor practice charges against Volkswagen after the company announced job cuts at its Tennessee plant, where the union is negotiating its first contract following a successful election last year. 

UAW President Shawn Fain criticized Volkswagen’s actions as anti-union and anti-worker. "The UAW has notified the Trump Administration of Volkswagen’s unacceptable, anti-union, anti-worker, and anti-American conduct," UAW President Shawn Fain said in a statement. 

The automaker cited declining demand for electric vehicles as the reason for reducing production to two shifts and offering voluntary severance packages.

Volkswagen has been implementing job cuts globally due to weakening demand and increasing competition from Chinese automakers. Additionally, U.S. tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada pose further challenges for the company, which relies heavily on production outside the U.S.