Tenn. leaders downplay union debates at celebration of Volkswagen plant expansion

Tennessee leaders say Volkwagen's plans to expand production at its Chattanooga factory and add a research and development plant demonstrate the auto company's commitment to the area after a bitter union fight.

State and federal officials involved in talks on Volkswagen's addition of a production line and 2,000 jobs for a mid-size SUV say the often public wrangling over organized labor played no role. The United Auto Workers Union narrowly lost an employee vote at the factory in February.

Gov. Bill Haslam says the UAW had no involvement in the deal celebrated Tuesday during an event in downtown Chattanooga. Haslam says the basic outline was agreed on five weeks ago.

U.S. Sen. Bob Corker says negotiators were focused on making sure the plans moved forward.