The United Auto Workers stunning defeat Friday after workers at Volkswagen AG's assembly plant narrowly rejected a bid to create a German-style works council will prompt soul searching by the union and raises difficult questions about what the union needs to do to be successful.
By a narrow 712-626 vote, workers rejected the union after three days of voting this week — a major setback for the UAW that has said its survival depends on organizing foreign auto workers.
Some opponents of the union said the near collapse of Detroit's Big Three automakers in 2008 played a key role in convincing many not to support the UAW.
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