UAW files objections to Mercedes-Benz union vote
A white board at UAW headquarters in Coaling, Alabama says "Onward" on Friday, May 17, 2024. Local Mercedes-Benz workers in Vance voted against unionizing. (Laura Chramer for Alabama Reflector)
The National Labor Relations Board said Friday afternoon it had received a complaint from the United Auto Workers about last week’s union election at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Vance.
Mercedes-Benz employees rejected the union on a 56% to 44% vote after a months-long campaign that sparked a strong push back from state officials.
The NLRB said in a statement that the regional director will review the objections, and if they raise “substantial and material issues of fact” that could need a hearing, a hearing will be held. If the director believes that the employer’s conduct had interfered with the election, then a new election could be held.
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The charges include disciplining employees for discussing unionization at work; not allowing union materials or paraphernalia to be distributed; surveilling employees; discharging supporters of the union; forcing employees to be in captive audience meetings, and making comments that union activities will not work.
The director will see if the complaints have merit and seek remedies as needed with the NLRB Administrative Law Judge if there’s no settlement. The judge’s order can be appealed to the board, then a Circuit Court.
A UAW spokesperson provided a copy of the objections to the Reflector Friday afternoon. The objections include allegations Mercedes-Benz United States International (MBUSI), the company overseeing the plant, targeted union supporters with drug tests.
“On January 11, 2024, employees of MBUSI publicly announced that they were exploring forming a union with the UAW at MBUSI’s Facilities. Almost immediately thereafter, both prior to and during the election period, the Employer engaged in a relentless anti-union campaign marked with unlawful discipline, unlawful captive audience meetings, and a general goal of coercing and intimidating employees who were attempting to exercise their Section 7 rights,” it reads.
The UAW said in a statement Friday that workers want a fair election.
“Over 2,000 Mercedes workers voted yes to win their union after an unprecedented, illegal anti-union campaign waged against them by their employer,” the union wrote. “What that tells us is that in a fair fight, where Mercedes is held accountable to following the law, workers will win their union.”
A Mercedes-Benz spokesperson wrote over email that over 90% of the MBUSI employees were not interested in being represented by the UAW in a secret ballot election. The spokesperson wrote that the company will work with employees to create a safe and supportive environment.
“Our goal throughout this process was to ensure every eligible team member had the opportunity to participate in a fair election. We sincerely hoped the UAW would respect our team members’ decision,” they wrote. “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.”
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The post UAW files objections to Mercedes-Benz union vote appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
