UAW challenges Mercedes-Benz union vote, asks NLRB for new election

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: NBC News

May 24, 2024, 5:45 PM EDT / Source: CNBC.com


DETROIT — The United Auto Workers union is challenging the results of last week’s organizing vote of Mercedes-Benz workers in Alabama, in which workers voted against union representation, and is asking federal officials to order a new election.

Among a dozen or so claims, the Detroit union alleges that the German automaker fired four pro-union workers, forced workers to attend anti-union meetings, and interfered with workers’ ability to advocate for the union.

Union organizing failed at the Alabama plant with 56% of the vote, or 2,642 workers, casting ballots against the UAW, according to the NLRB, which oversaw the election. More than 90% of the 5,075 eligible Mercedes-Benz workers voted in the election.

“All these workers ever wanted was a fair shot at having a voice on the job and a say in their working conditions,” the UAW said in a statement. “And that’s what we’re asking for here. Let’s get a vote at Mercedes in Alabama where the company isn’t allowed to fire people, isn’t allowed to intimidate people, and isn’t allowed to break the law and their own corporate code, and let the workers decide.”

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/business/autos/uaw-challenges-mercedes-benz-union-vote-asks-nlrb-new-election-rcna154014

[JohnnyRingo]

1. To begin with, the company probably sweetened the pot for them.

It's a typical corporate move to tell workers that if they vote the union down they'll get a raise or other compensation. The company suddenly feels their pain and wants to employ an open door policy to air their grievances on a one to one basis.

The workers fall for it without realizing they only got those benefits because of a threat of unionization. Once that threat subsides it's back to business as usual. The UAW is making the Mercedes plant better even if they vote no.

It should have been laughable when the company told workers that "they can come to negotiate without a third party between them and the management". Like if one employee said he wanted to talk to the CEO about a raise or another week of vacation time.

[bernieb]

2. Yes

Managers will not protect your rights. Only the union will do that.

[wolfie001]

3. I worked in a Union shop and the level of bone headedness was astonishing.

The only reason the company didn't fire all of us and replace us with half the pay, no benefit workers was because of the Union. Yet, a lot of them voted for repukes.

[myohmy2]

4. +1...

...do it...

...Joe will get it done...