UAW asks US board for new unionization vote at Mercedes’ Alabama plant By Reuters
By Nora Eckert
DETROIT (Reuters) -The United Auto Workers (UAW) union is seeking a new election at a Mercedes-Benz (OTC:) plant in Alabama after losing a vote there last week, according to a petition filed on Friday with the National Labor Relations Board.
The union accused Mercedes of engaging “in a relentless anti-union campaign” including the firing of employees who were pro-union and holding frequent captive-audience meetings to spread anti-union views, according to the filing.
“We sincerely hoped the UAW would respect our team members’ decision. 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,” a Mercedes spokesperson said.
The UAW lost after about 56% of the nearly 5,000 workers at the Vance, Alabama plant and nearby battery factory voted against unionizing, a difficult setback for the labor group that was riding a historic win last month at a Volkswagen (ETR:) plant in Tennessee.
The UAW in its filing said Mercedes’ efforts to influence the vote constituted unfair labor practices and prevented a free choice by employees, warranting a new election.
