Workers at Mercedes-Benz's largest U.S. auto plant are on their way to becoming unionized members of the United Auto Workers (UAW).
Tuesday, the UAW announced that a majority of workers at MBUSI in Vance, Alabama, have signed union cards signaling their support of joining the UAW. Roughly 6,000 workers are employed at the plant where Mercedes builds the EQS SUV and EQE all-electric vehicles as well as the GLE, GLE coupé and GLS.
In a video announcement which can watch below, Mercedes worker Jeremy Kimbrell, surrounded by his Mercedes coworkers, announces that “a majority of our coworkers at Mercedes here in Alabama have signed our union cards and are ready to win our union and a better life with the UAW.”
In the video, Kimbrell details several of the driving forces behind the workers’ grassroots campaign to join the UAW. He cites reasons as including workers going many years without meaningful raises, a two-tier wage system, and the abuse of temporary workers. The UAW says all three of the issues figured prominently in the its Stand Up Strike at the Big Three.
“There comes a time when enough is enough,” says Kimbrell. “Now is that time. We know what the company, what the politicians, and what their multi-millionaire buddies will say. They’ll say now is not the right time. Or 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.”
In an emailed statement responding to the development, a Mercedes-Benz spokesperson stated: "Mercedes-Benz U.S. International MBUSI has a strong record of success over the past 25+ years operating as One Team in Alabama. Central to our success is our positive team culture that includes an open-door policy. MBUSI has a proven record of competitively compensating Team Members and providing many additional benefits. We believe open and direct communication with our Team Members is the best path forward to ensure continued success."
The MB plant is the second plant to reach the UAW majority milestone this month. Volkswagen workers in Chattanooga reached majority support in early February.
The UAW says over ten thousand non-union autoworkers across 14 auto companies have signed union cards and begun organizing to join the UAW in the wake of the historic Stand Up Strike victories at the Big Three.
You can read the full text of the announcement on the UAW website.
Photo: File photo of workers on the assembly line at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Vance, Alabama. Credit: Mercedes-Benz.