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The United Automobile Workers union is making its most ambitious efforts to gain a foothold in the industry beyond Detroit’s Big Three.
By Jack Ewing
Workers at a Mercedes-Benz plant in Alabama have called on the federal government to hold a vote on whether to join the United Automobile Workers union, the union announced Friday, a step forward in its crusade to organize auto plant workers in the South.
The union is looking to build on the momentum of contracts it won last year at Ford Motor, General Motors and Stellantis, which gave the three Detroit automakers their biggest raises in decades.
The U. S. U. S. A. W. is also looking to unionize staff at a Volkswagen plant in Tennessee and a Hyundai plant in Alabama, a greater presence in states that have attracted much of the new investment in auto production in recent decades. The vote at the Volkswagen plant is scheduled for April 17. -19.
This initiative has taken on greater importance as southern states like South Carolina and Georgia attract billions of dollars in investments in electric vehicles and battery manufacturing. It seeks to ensure that the jobs created by electric cars do not receive lower wages than those in classic car factories.
A large majority of staff at the Mercedes plant near Tuscaloosa had previously signed cards expressing their vote. On Friday, they officially petitioned the National Labor Relations Board to hold elections to determine whether they would be represented through the UAW, the union said.
Mercedes, which makes luxury cars with gaming apps in Alabama, said in a statement that it “fully respects our team members’ decision to unionize” and would ensure staff have “access to the data necessary to make an informed selection. “
Historically, Southern states have been tricky territory for unions, in some cases because of anti-union laws or because elected officials have blatantly campaigned against unions. The lack of a strong union presence is one of the reasons why the region has attracted a significant percentage of investment from the automotive industry.
Attempts in 2014 and 2019 to organize Volkswagen’s Chattanooga plant, where the German company makes the Atlas gaming app vehicle and the ID. 4 electric SUV, failed due to opposition from Republican lawmakers in Tennessee.
Toyota, Volkssalaryn and other automakers raised hourly wages after the union won pay raises for staff at Ford, GM and Stellantis. However, non-union staff tend to earn less. In many cases, payment is less of a factor than painting schedules. Fitness and leisure benefits.
In a video released on Friday, American A. W. President Shawn Fain said staff are striving for “work-life balance, quality physical care and a better life for their family. “
The union complained to the National Labor Relations Board about Mercedes’ retaliation against organizers in Alabama. The automaker denied the allegations, saying it “interfered with or retaliated against any team member in their right to seek union representation. “
Jack Ewing writes about the automotive industry with an article on electric vehicles. Learn more about Jack Ewing
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