The United Auto Workers (UAW) faced a tough loss at a Mercedes-Benz factory in Alabama on Friday. This was a setback for the union’s plans to grow in the U.S. South after a recent victory at a Volkswagen plant in Tennessee.
The votes showed that the “no” votes were winning, which meant the union lost. There were about 5,100 workers who could vote.
The UAW wanted to keep winning after the big win at VW in Chattanooga, Tennessee. They also got a good deal at six Daimler Truck plants in the South. Daimler Truck used to be part of Mercedes.
If they won at Mercedes, it would be the second foreign-owned car company in the South to join the UAW. But now, they have to try harder to convince workers in a place where unions usually don’t do well. It’s important for the UAW to grow beyond just the Detroit carmakers.
Before, VW workers said no to the UAW twice. Also, workers at a Nissan plant in Mississippi said no in 2017. And in 2021, Amazon workers in Alabama said no to forming a union.
This loss makes it harder for the UAW in the South. But it won’t stop their efforts in other places, say labor experts.
“It’s not just about winning or losing. It depends on each workplace,” said Stephen Silvia, a professor at American University.
Before the vote, Mercedes showed it didn’t want the union. They put up signs around the plant saying “no” and hired people to talk workers out of joining the UAW.
But Mercedes said they didn’t stop workers from unionizing. They just wanted workers to know all the facts before voting.
Six governors, including Alabama’s Kay Ivey, also told workers to say no to the UAW. They said unions would hurt the car industry in the South.
Some workers changed their minds because of Mercedes’ messages, said Kay Finklea, a pro-UAW worker.
Winning at Mercedes was important for UAW President Shawn Fain’s plan to organize more car companies, including Toyota and Tesla. It would also help the union grow, which has been hard lately.
