The UAW is confident of its ability to score another victory at Mercedes-Benz, despite fears of a lack of support from the unions.
Building on its good fortune at Volkswagen, the United Auto Workers (UAW) union is turning its attention to Mercedes-Benz and other non-union automakers as it continues its post-strike crusade to strengthen its workforce.
Speaking to Reuters, UAW chief Shawn Fain affirmed the importance of the union’s victory at Volkswagen’s Tennessee plant. Last week, staff at the plant, the only German automaker that does not have union representation, voted overwhelmingly (73%) in favor of unionization. “This gives a lot of life to the organizing crusade around the world,” Fain said. “We’re moving as fast as we can. “
While the UAW said in March that it had won a majority of the roughly 5,000 workers at Mercedes-Benz’s Alabama facility, analysts say a momentary victory will be an uphill battle. Even as support for unionization at Volkswagen has grown rapidly and topped 70% long before last week’s vote, expansion looks slower at Mercedes.
In addition, Volkswagen’s control did not mount a meaningful counter-campaign against the UAW in the days leading up to the vote; Mercedes-Benz allegedly spread anti-union messages among staff to weaken support for unionization.
Fain, however, played down considerations about the upcoming elections, scheduled for May. “It’s the same thing,” the UAW president said. Either they need justice or they don’t. “
Yesterday, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee called the UAW’s good luck at Volkswagen a “mistake. “In the days leading up to the vote, Lee and several other Southern governors suggested unionization in a joint statement, arguing that it would lead to the task. cuts and deter businesses.
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