A new union election at VW, this time without the furor

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - A new union vote is scheduled for this week at the Volkswagen plant in Tennessee, but so far it's been largely devoid of the public threats, promises and handwringing that surrounded last year's election at the factory.

The United Auto Workers was narrowly defeated in last year's election among the entire blue-collar workforce at the factory. The union is taking a more limited approach this time in seeking to represent just the 165 skilled-trades workers and not the 1,250 production workers.

Leading UAW critic Sen. Bob Corker has not commented on the new vote since it was announced last month. Republican Gov. Bill Haslam has mostly limited his criticism to questioning the timing of the vote: amid the turmoil faced by Volkswagen over its diesel emissions cheating scandal.