Last fall, Ford workers voted to ratify a new contract agreement between the automaker and the United Auto Workers (UAW) union, officially ending a six-week-long targeted strike against The Blue Oval that CEO Jim Farley said will have an impact on the company’s future plans. Regardless, after that agreement, the UAW quickly set its sights on other automakers operating in the U.S. that aren’t unionized, and scored a major victory when Volkswagen workers in Chattanooga, Tennessee voted to join the union last month. However, even after gathering a significant amount of support early on at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, the UAW ultimately lost out on its bid to organize that facility, according to the Associated Press.
In an election run by the National Labor Relations Board, 56 percent of Mercedes workers in Alabama voted against joining the UAW, with 2,642 voting no and 2,045 in favor of the action. When all the ballots were collected, a grand total of 93 percent of workers eligible to do so participated in the process. Both sides now have five days to file any objections, after which the UAW must wait a year before it can hold another vote. Regardless, union president Shawn Fain stressed that in spite of this setback, he plans to continue push to organize all U.S.-based automotive production plants.
“We’ve been here before, and we’re going to continue on and we’re going to win,” he said. “And I think we’ll have a different result down the road, and I look forward to that. Obviously, Volkswagen was more neutral, and that wasn’t the case here.” Previously, the union boss accused Mercedes of “egregious illegal behavior” and has also filed unfair labor practice complaints against the automaker, which he claims has worked to intimidate workers.
“Mercedes engaged in egregious illegal behavior. The federal government as well as the German government are currently investigating Mercedes for the intimidation and harassment they inflicted on their own workers. We intend to follow that process through,” Fain said in a statement. “This is a David and Goliath fight. Sometimes Goliath wins a battle. But David wins the war. These workers will win their fair share. And we will be there every step of the way to support them.”
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Comments
Does the union detail where member dues go to? If confronted will the uaw boss truthfully share such information? Does the uaw pressure members at this plant to vote a certain way? Unlikely the mainstream media will further investigate on such questions.
The real question is how much did Mercedes pressure employees to vote not to support unionization?
The real question is; How much is this commie getting paid? And what exec perks (limo, private jet) does he get?
From Forbes:
“Fain’s annual salary of $347,389 places him in the top 5% of earners in his home state of Indiana where, according to a Forbes analysis, individuals whose salary exceeds $192,928 per year are in the top 5%. “
Exactly! Hopefully many of these Southern, right-to-work states don’t force unionization on individual workers and do not allow unions to take dues BY FORCE through company payroll, but are required to collect directly from members!
I would be steamed if I had to join a union I did not agree with and was forced to finance Shawn Fain’s limos, private jet, and dinners at establishments from the Michelin guide.
So few people in this country belong to a union. I was forced to join professional unions in my life. They are true assholes, just looking to put money in the union’s pockets. They blindley TELL the workers to vote for democrats even when they have been found guilty of a crime.
Like you, I was once part of a union that was required for my office job at a large telecommunications company.
I agree w you completely! The union stewards worked to protect workers who should have been fired thereby forcing more work on dedicated employees.
Every Thursday evening they’d leave and go to a posh pub where they would drink and dine at our expense.
I wonder what Shawn Fain’s salary and executive perks look like compared to average union members?
Good! Keep Government out of this. This will make EVs go away even quicker now.
A UNION IS ALABAMA??? SH*****TTT, THESE SOUTHERN STATES WANT THE RIGHT TO HIRE UNQUALIFIED FAMILY MEMBERS, AND FIRE A QUALIFIED EMPLOYEE JUST FOR ASKING WHY THEY HIRED THAT NONE QUALIFIED FAMILY MEMBER. THE SOUTHERN STATES WOULD NEVER NEVER VOTE FOR A UNION AND IF YOU DO VOTE FOR A UNION, CHANCES ARE YOU BEING FIRED WITHIN THE NEXT 48 HOUR WILL BE GREATLY INCREASED.
Smart move. Mercedes shut down the Sterling truck plant here in St. Thomas after the expiration of the one and only CAW contract. Same thing at IHC in Chatham. Unions are out to get your money and they are NOT your friend.
LOL
To quote James May: “GOOD NEWS!”