A vote that could be a turning point in the union movement.

I'm David Brancaccio in New York.

The United Auto Workers Union is trying to organize workers at foreign-owned car and truck factories in southern states.

Today marks a pivotal point in that effort. Workers at a Volkswagen factory in Chattanooga, Tennessee,

begin voting on whether to join the UAW, Marketplace's Nova Safo has details.

Organizing workers at Southern Auto Plants has been a long sought and elusive goal for the

UAW. It's been trying at the Volkswagen Planton Chattanooga for 10 years.

This time the effort comes after the Union won generous labor agreements with Detroit's

big three automakers following a six-week strike last year. The deals include pay increases of 25%.

The vote at VW is an important test. The OAW says there are similar efforts at southern

plants run by Mercedes, Hyundai, Toyota, and others.

The Union still faces tough challenges though, including a hostile political environment.

Republican governors from six states, including Tennessee, yesterday put out a statement opposing its efforts.

Workers might also feel less compelled.

That's because following the Detroit three deals, foreign automakers also hiked their

wages at Southern plants.

I'm Nova Safa for Marketplace.

TGI Friday.

Oh, it's only Wednesday.

The Restaurant Chain TGI Fridays plans to list its new stock on the London Stock Exchange,

this via merger with its franchise operation in Britain.

That's a bullish move at a time that shopping centers that are so often featuring these restaurants are facing challenges.

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