Workers at a Mercedes-Benz factory in Alabama have filed a petition with U.S. regulators to hold an election to join the United Auto Workers union. The UAW said that a majority of the more than 5,000 eligible workers at the plant signed cards to join the union and they hope for a vote by early May. This comes after months of organizing efforts at non-union automakers owned by foreign companies and EV makers.
The UAW’s President has pledged to welcome a new automaker to its unionized ranks, with support from President Joe Biden. The White House has backed UAW efforts to organize non-union automakers, and workers at a Volkswagen plant in Tennessee have also filed for a UAW vote. The UAW has faced challenges in organizing at other plants, such as those owned by Japanese automaker Nissan.
The UAW has filed charges against Mercedes for violating Germany’s new law on global supply chain practices, which prohibits German companies from disregarding workers’ rights to form trade unions. The company has responded to the union’s charges, saying that they are inaccurate and that they recognize their employees’ rights to organize.
Overall, the UAW is making efforts to expand its unionized ranks in the auto industry with the support of the White House, despite facing challenges and resistance from some automakers. The outcome of the election at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Alabama will be closely watched as a potential indicator of the UAW’s success in organizing non-union automakers.
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