Mercedes workers in Alabama vote against union representation

TUSCALOOSA (dpa-AFX) – After its success at Volkswagen, the US UAW has failed in its attempt to bring Mercedes workers under its roof at two plants in Alabama. According to voting results released Friday, 56 percent opposed union representation by the UAW. With a total of 4,687 votes, 92 percent of employees participated, Mercedes announced.

This is a major setback for the US UAW, which wants to expand its influence beyond the three giant US auto companies. So far, it has been poorly represented, especially in southern states like Alabama. After the UAW succeeded in becoming the union representative for Volkswagen of America workers on its third attempt in April, it was hoping for more. The union is also currently trying to organize workers at Toyota in Kentucky and Hyundai in Alabama.

The union recently received a boost thanks to its ability to achieve better working conditions and income increases of about 25 percent at US companies General Motors, Ford and Stellantis last fall after a week-long strike.

IG Metall reacted with disappointment. “We regret the outcome of the election and the missed opportunity for effective employee representation at Mercedes in Alabama,” union leader Christiane Penner said. “We express our great respect to our colleagues there who defended their rights under very difficult circumstances.” IG Metall is disappointed with the behavior of local Mercedes management in Alabama. The lack of impartiality and numerous workforce intimidation and anti-union activities showed that the desire of a relevant part of employees for union representation was not respected./see/DP/he