German Gov't Probes Mercedes-Benz for Workers Rights Violations in Alabama

The German Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control has initiated an investigation into Mercedes-Benz Group AG due to alleged illegal anti-union activities at its plant in Vance, Alabama. This announcement came yesterday as voting continues at the facility with a majority of the workforce showing support for unionization.

Employees have reported intense intimidation by management and anti-union consultants hired by Mercedes-Benz. "We should have the same rights as our German counterparts," stated Jeremy Kimbrell, a long-term employee at the plant. "We're grateful to the German authorities for taking our allegations seriously and holding the inappropriate actions of Mercedes managers accountable."

In April, charges were lodged against Mercedes-Benz Group AG for breach of Germany's new law on global supply chain practices. The company's anti-union behavior in Alabama constitutes a violation of human rights according to the German Act on Corporate Due Diligence Obligations in Supply Chains. Mercedes-Benz could face hefty fines and government contract bans, amounting to billions.

Mercedes-Benz U.S. International (MBUSI), a subsidiary of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, operates the Alabama plant. The complaint alleges MBUSI’s violations of both U.S. labor law and International Labor Organization Conventions. Violations of the German act detailed in the complaint include:

• The dismissal of a union supporter battling cancer who was allowed to have his cellphone for updates on his scarce medication availability. A supervisor alleged a zero-tolerance policy on cellphones and had him terminated.
• A letter from MBUSI’s CEO Michael Göbel to employees attempting to suppress union activity and infringing on their freedom of association.
• Two mandatory meetings in February held to discourage unionization, with one featuring former University of Alabama football Coach Nick Saban. During these, MBUSI supervisors tried to prevent union supporters from distributing UAW hats.

Despite the company’s anti-union campaign, a supermajority of MBUSI workers publicly back the union. They are confident of securing a union victory when votes are counted on Friday, May 17^th. This would make them the second non-union auto plant to join the UAW within a month, amid several others actively organizing nationwide.