Workers at a Mercedes-Benz factory in Alabama are set to vote next month on whether to be represented by the United Auto Workers union. The National Labor Relations Board announced that the vote will take place from May 13 to May 17 at the facilities in Vance and Woodstock, Alabama, with the vote count scheduled for May 17. Both the company and the union have agreed to the election dates.
This vote is part of the UAW's initiative to organize 150,000 workers at multiple nonunion auto manufacturing plants, primarily in Southern states. The UAW recently secured significant pay raises for workers at Detroit's automakers following strikes last fall.
The Mercedes-Benz facilities in Alabama currently employ around 6,100 workers, with over 5,000 employees requesting the union vote, according to the UAW. In response to the workers' petition, Mercedes-Benz U.S. International has expressed its respect for the employees' decision on unionization and stated its commitment to ensuring a fair voting process.
The UAW has accused Mercedes management of engaging in anti-union activities, leading to the filing of federal labor charges against the company. Additionally, governors from six Southern states, including Alabama and Tennessee, have cautioned workers about potential job risks associated with voting for union representation.
