Volkswagen files appeal of UAW ruling at Tennessee plant

Volkswagen is appealing a National Labor Relations Board ruling allowing a small group of employees at the German automaker's lone U.S. plant to be represented by the United Auto Workers union.

Volkswagen filed an appeal Thursday in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, a day after the NLRB found that the company was engaging in unfair labor practices by refusing to bargain with the union.

The board ruled earlier this year that the skilled-trades workers at the plant "share a community of interest" in terms of qualifications, training, supervision and hours that are distinct from production workers in the assembly, body weld and paint shops.

Volkswagen argues that labor decisions should only be made by the plant's entire hourly workforce.