The United Auto Workers union has taken a major step forward in its efforts to organize the American plants of foreign automakers by filing for a representation election at the Mercedes plant in Alabama. This comes just weeks after the union filed for a vote at the Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee. While the VW plant has had previous votes, the Mercedes plant has never reached the threshold of union support necessary for an election to be held. This marks the first time the UAW has had near-simultaneous votes taking place.
The UAW announced an effort to organize workers at 13 carmakers with American factories back in November, following successful contract negotiations that ended strikes at the nation’s three unionized automakers. This includes electric vehicle makers such as Tesla, Rivian, and Lucid, as well as foreign automakers like BMW, Honda, Hyundai, Mazda, Nissan, Subaru, Toyota, and Volvo. The goal is to represent nearly 150,000 hourly workers at these US plants, which would significantly increase the union’s membership numbers and bargaining power.
The UAW has seen a decline in membership over the past two decades, losing more than 45% of its members since 2003. This is attributed to plant closings, automation, and a lack of organizing drives. The decline in market share for unionized automakers has also contributed to the decrease in membership. However, the union’s successful strike against the three unionized automakers last year resulted in significant pay increases for its members, as well as raises at nonunion automakers like Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, and Subaru.
Despite the gains made by the union, winning an organizing vote at nonunion auto plants will be challenging, especially in southern states where support for unions is generally low. The UAW has filed unfair labor practice complaints against Mercedes for allegedly disciplining or firing union supporters. In addition, a previous high-profile union organizing vote at an Amazon warehouse in Alabama was defeated in 2021. Management of non-union automakers is likely to resist union organizing efforts.
The UAW has yet to file for a vote at Mercedes’ plant in Charleston, South Carolina, and faces opposition in its efforts to unionize nonunion auto plants. The union is using the gains made in the recent contract negotiations as a central part of its organizing efforts, but the road ahead remains challenging. Winning representation at these plants would be a significant achievement for the UAW and could bolster its membership numbers and bargaining power. The outcome of the upcoming votes at the VW and Mercedes plants will be crucial in determining the union’s success in organizing nonunion automakers.
