UAW Accuses Mercedes of Intimidation in Alabama Union Vote

The United Auto Workers (UAW) has lodged a formal complaint against Mercedes, alleging that the company interfered with a recent union election at two Alabama factories by intimidating and coercing workers into voting against unionization. The union is seeking a new vote, arguing that the company’s actions violated labor laws and hindered a fair election process.

The election results saw 56% of workers at Mercedes’ battery and assembly plants near Tuscaloosa voting against the union, marking a significant setback for the UAW in its efforts to organize workers in the Deep South. This defeat follows a recent victory for the UAW at Volkswagen’s assembly factory in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where workers voted in favor of unionization.

According to the UAW, Mercedes engaged in a systematic anti-union campaign characterized by unlawful discipline, mandatory anti-union meetings, and various forms of intimidation aimed at dissuading employees from supporting the union. Despite these efforts, over 2,000 Mercedes workers voted in favor of the union, indicating strong support for unionization under fair conditions, the UAW claims.

The union’s filing includes allegations that Mercedes fired four pro-union employees and allowed anti-union workers to solicit support during work hours while prohibiting pro-union activities. Additionally, the company is accused of requiring workers to attend anti-union meetings and displaying anti-union propaganda, while restricting the distribution of pro-union materials in non-work areas. The UAW also alleges that Mercedes polled workers about their union support, suggested that voting for the union would be futile, targeted union supporters with drug tests, and exacerbated racial tensions with inflammatory appeals to racial prejudice.

Mercedes, in response, stated that over 90% of team members participated in the election, with the majority indicating they did not want UAW representation. The company emphasized its commitment to a fair election process and compliance with NLRB guidelines, expressing hope that the UAW would respect the employees’ decision.

The NLRB will review the UAW’s objections, and if it determines that Mercedes’ conduct affected the election outcome, it could order a new election. This ongoing dispute highlights the challenges labor unions face in organizing workers in traditionally non-union regions and underscores the contentious nature of labor relations in the automotive industry. As the process unfolds, both Mercedes and the UAW will continue to navigate the complex dynamics of labor law and worker representation.