The United Auto Workers (UAW) is challenging the recent "no" union vote by Mercedes-Benz workers in Alabama, and calling for a new election.
The vote took place at two Mercedes-Benz plants near Tuscaloosa earlier in May, with 56%, or 2,642, of workers voting no. According to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the federal authority that oversees elections, more than 90 percent of the 5,075 eligible workers voted in the election.
According to Automotive News, the UAW accuses the automaker of engaging in a "relentless anti-union campaign", which included firing pro-union employees. The UAW filed its three-page objection to the vote on Friday, May 24th.
In emailed statements published Friday by news outlets including the Associated Press, the UAW said:
“Over 2,000 Mercedes workers voted yes to win their union after an unprecedented, illegal anti-union campaign waged against them by their employer. What that tells us is that in a fair fight, where Mercedes is held accountable to following the law, workers will win their union,” the UAW said in a statement.
“All these workers ever wanted was a fair shot at having a voice on the job and a say in their working conditions. And that’s what we’re asking for here. Let’s get a vote at Mercedes in Alabama where the company isn’t allowed to fire people, isn’t allowed to intimidate people, and isn’t allowed to break the law and their own corporate code, and let the workers decide.”
Mercedes denies the UAW's intimidation claims and had this to say about the vote in which 90 percent of workers cast ballots:
“...a majority indicated they are not interested in being represented by the UAW for purposes of collective bargaining."
“Our goal throughout this process was to ensure every eligible Team Member had the opportunity to participate in a fair election. We sincerely hoped the UAW would respect our Team Members’ decision. Throughout the election, we worked with the NLRB to adhere to its guidelines and we will continue to do so as we work through this process," the statement read.
May 17th, 2024
In the original statement UAW President Shawn Fain made May 17th in response to the no vote, Fain said: "Mercedes engaged in egregious illegal behavior. The federal government as well as the German government are currently investigating Mercedes for the intimidation and harassment they inflicted on their own workers. We intend to follow that process through." To read Fain's full statement click here.
In a statement to news outlets, the automaker said in part: "Our goal throughout this process was to ensure every eligible Team Member had the opportunity to participate in a fair election.”
What's Next
So what's next? The NLRB will review the UAW's objections and could order a hearing over them. If it's determined the automaker's conduct impacted the election's outcome, the NLRB's Regional Director could decide whether or not to call a new election.
The UAW won a union vote at Volkswagen's plant in Tennessee in April.
Photo: File photo of workers on the assembly line at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Vance, Alabama. Credit: Mercedes-Benz.