Workers at the Mercedes-Benz plant near Tuscaloosa have filed a petition to join the United Auto Workers (UAW) union, with over 70% of workers supporting the move. The union election is expected to be held by early May. The workers cited low wages, unpredictable schedules, and reliance on temporary workers as reasons for seeking unionization.
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, who has opposed unionization efforts, called the UAW a “threat,” prompting a strong response from UAW President Shawn Fain. Fain argued that southern workers are fed up with exploitation and are taking control of their destinies.
Ivey and other Alabama elected officials have expressed concerns that unionization could deter future investments in the state, as companies are drawn to Alabama for its cheap labor. Rep. Mike Rogers and the Business Council of Alabama have also criticized the UAW’s efforts.
The UAW’s campaign to organize southern autoworkers, including those at the Mercedes plant, is part of a national effort following last year’s strike against major automakers. The union election at Mercedes will be the second in three weeks in the South, with Volkswagen workers in Chattanooga also seeking to unionize. Workers at the Hyundai plant in Montgomery are also campaigning to join the UAW.
The UAW aims to address worker issues and secure fair wages through unionization, while opponents like Gov. Ivey fear economic consequences for the state. The outcome of the union elections in Alabama will have implications for the future of labor relations in the state’s auto industry.
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