Alabama Workers Accuse Mercedes-Benz of Illegal Union Busting - UAW

TL/DR -

Workers at Mercedes-Benz's largest US plant in Vance, Alabama, have filed multiple federal charges with the National Labor Relations Board, accusing the company of union-busting and retaliation against employees who stand up for their rights. One worker claimed she was disciplined for absences covered by Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) requests; another was reprimanded for having his phone on the factory floor despite having permission due to his cancer treatment needs; a third was fired after questioning the necessity of watching anti-union videos. All Mercedes plants worldwide are unionized except for the two in the US, and the Vance workers are part of a national movement of non-union autoworkers seeking to join the United Auto Workers union.

VANCE, Ala. – Alleged Union-Busting at Largest U.S. Mercedes Plant

VANCE, Ala. – Employees at the largest U.S. Mercedes-Benz plant have lodged numerous federal charges against the company with the National Labor Relations Board, alleging aggressive and illegal union-busting. The workers seek an injunction to halt the purported company retaliation against workers advocating for their rights. In February, workers claimed a majority of their peers at the Mercedes plant in Vance signed union authorization cards, leaving the two U.S. plants as the only non-unionized Mercedes factories worldwide.

“I'm an outspoken union supporter and Mercedes unlawfully disciplined me for medical absences covered by my FMLA requests. It's clear retaliation by Mercedes, but I won't be deterred,” said Lakeisha Carter, a vocal union supporter and employee at the Mercedes battery plant.

In February, the U.S. Department of Labor recouped $438,625 in back wages, unpaid bonuses, and damages for two former Mercedes Vance plant workers, after management infringed upon their rights to protected leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act.

Public union supporter Al Ezell was disciplined for having his phone on the factory floor, despite having received permission due to his stage 4 lung cancer and necessary medical communications. Ezell argued against the sudden enforcement of a non-existent zero-tolerance policy.

Another worker, Taylor Snipes, expressed frustration at being forced to attend meetings and watch anti-union videos. Snipes was later terminated for having his phone on the factory floor, despite prior permission to check messages from his child's daycare center. Snipes detected a correlation between his dismissal and his outspokenness in the anti-union meeting.

These Mercedes workers are part of an expanding national movement of non-union autoworkers rallying to join the UAW, following the landmark Stand Up Strike victory at the Big Three auto companies. Over 10,000 non-union autoworkers have signed union cards recently, with high-profile campaigns at Mercedes, Volkswagen, Hyundai, and Toyota. For more information, visit uaw.org/join.

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