Just weeks after the United Auto Workers (UAW) celebrated securing the majority of workers at the Volkswagen Group’s Tennessee plant, the union made another significant stride. On Tuesday, it announced that it has garnered majority support at the Mercedes-Benz Tuscaloosa assembly plant in Vance, Alabama. This development follows a significant push to represent people employed at the facility, which is the automaker’s largest in the U.S.
The news was announced by Jeremy Kimbrell, a worker at the Alabama plant that employs 6,100 people and makes the GLE, GLS, EQS SUV, and EQE SUV. The UAW has previously announced that its goal is to reach 70 percent support before demanding recognition from automakers.
“We haven’t taken this step lightly. For years, we’ve fallen further behind while Mercedes has made billions,” said Kimbrell. “We’ve learned that we can’t trust Mercedes with our best interests. There comes a time when enough is enough. Now is that time.”
Read: VW Chattanooga On Verge Of Unionization After UAW Secures Majority Support
Kimbrell highlighted Mercedes’ choice not to rehire workers laid off during 2008-2009, a mere 42-cent raise over a six-year span, implementation of a two-tier pay scale, and various other grievances as key factors motivating numerous workers to sign union cards.
“MBUSI has a proven record of competitively compensating Team Members and providing many additional benefits,” a Mercedes spokesperson said. “We believe open and direct communication with our Team Members is the best path forward to ensure continued success.”
Furthermore, beyond the VW Group and Mercedes, the union disclosed that over 30 percent of workers at a Hyundai plant in Alabama have also signed union cards.
The UAW announced that it was launching a union drive in November, and said it was targeting plants operated by Tesla, Toyota, Rivian, Nissan, and BMW, in addition to those owned by Mercedes and VW.
The union has historically only represented workers employed by Detroit automakers, and has struggled to get those in the South, where foreign automakers have set up their plants, to join. Following historic victories in securing large raises and considerations from Detroit’s big three, in addition to positive public sentiment towards unions, it has redoubled its efforts to get workers to join it.
“We know what the company, what the politicians, and what their multi-millionaire buddies will say,” said Kimbrell. “They’ll say now is not the right time. That this is not the right way. But here’s the thing. This is our decision. It’s our life. It’s our community. These are our families. It’s up to us. It’s not up to Mercedes management or any politician or anyone else.”
