Daily News Journal (12/13/14) Scott Broden

United Automobile Workers’ officials have questioned the use of temporary employees at Nissan’s plant in Rutherford County, TN. The union claims that more than 60% of the factory’s workforce are temporary staff provided through a company contractor, which Nissan declined to confirm. Nissan decided to employ temporary staff after the recent economic recession, because the company needed to bring on more capacity more quickly. “The decision was made to partner with contract staffing [firms] to help identify, recruit, and onboard additional workforce to meet these demands quickly,” says Nissan spokesman Justin Saia.

UAW twice tried to unionize the factory but was unsuccessful. “I think if we aren’t careful [the temporary employee] issue gives the UAW some leverage,” state Rep. Mike Sparks says. “I don’t want to give [UAW] any leverage. I’ve been told by very important folks in the state that Nissan will leave our state if [the factory workers] ever unionize. I don’t want to see that happen.”