UAW Seeks New Election at Mercedes-Benz Alabama Plant Following Defeat

After losing a vote last week, the United Auto Workers (UAW) union is seeking a new election at a Mercedes-Benz plant in Alabama. 

According to a petition filed on Friday with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the union accused Mercedes of engaging “in a relentless anti-union campaign.” This included firing pro-union employees and holding frequent captive-audience meetings to spread anti-union views.

Mercedes’ Response to Election Results:

“We sincerely hope the UAW will 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,” a Mercedes spokesperson said.

Election Results and Union’s Claims:

The UAW lost when about 56% of the nearly 5,000 workers at the Vance, Alabama plant and nearby battery factory voted against unionizing. This defeat was a significant setback for the labor group, which had experienced a historic win at a Volkswagen plant in Tennessee the previous month.

In its filing, the UAW argued that Mercedes’ efforts to influence the vote constituted unfair labor practices and prevented employees from making a free choice, thereby warranting a new election.

A spokesperson for the NLRB stated that a regional director will review the union’s objection and may decide to call for a hearing in the coming weeks.

Contrasting Approaches: Mercedes vs. Volkswagen:

According to union and labor experts, the fight at Mercedes was much more contentious than at Volkswagen, where the company took a neutral stance.

For instance, Mercedes leaders frequently pointed to signs inside the plant urging employees to vote no, according to workers and photos reviewed by Reuters. 

Additionally, Mercedes replaced the chief executive of its U.S. business in the weeks leading up to the vote. They encouraged employees to give him a chance, which some workers said bolstered the anti-union campaign.