Big Wins in Detroit Are Fueling Auto Union Resurgence in South

The United Auto Workers is on the cusp of a significant milestone in its audacious effort to grow by 150,000 people across 13 automakers, including Tesla Inc., BMW AG and Nissan Motor Co.

This week, a Volkswagen AG factory will vote on whether to become the only foreign commercial carmaker unionized in the US. It would also be the first vehicle plant to join the UAW since last fall’s strike led to record-breaking wage gains, giving the union a key foothold in the South.

“We’re going to be the first domino to fall and encourage these other plants to get ...