The United Auto Workers (UAW) asked the National Labor Relations Board on Friday to order a new union vote at two Mercedes-Benz factories in Alabama.
In a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) private election that ended last Friday, 56% of workers voted against joining the union. The final tally showed 2,045 workers voting for joining and 2,642 workers voting against joining UAW.
The UAW says Mercedes-Benz violated labor laws to suppress support for the union.
Mercedes-Benz conducted a “relentless anti-union campaign” marked by “wanton lawlessness,” the U.A.W. said in a complaint to the National Labor Relations Board, according to the New York Times. UAW told the outlet Mercedes fired four employees who supported the union, prevented pro-union employees from campaigning, and forced employees to watch anti-union videos.
The NLRB can order a new election if the regional director determines improper conduct by an employer affected the vote, a spokeswoman for the NLRB told the New York Times.
Mercedes denied that it had violated labor laws.. A majority of workers “indicated they are not interested in being represented by the U.A.W.,” the company said in a statement to the media.
“Throughout the election, we worked with the N.L.R.B. to adhere to its guidelines, and we will continue to do so,” Mercedes said.
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