John,

While the union election in Vance, Alabama didn’t turn out as many had hoped last week, the fight for unionization at Mercedes marks another impactful worker-led effort to uphold democracy in the South. Despite facing an uphill battle, over 2,000 workers have demonstrated unwavering courage and resolve in their pursuit of fair treatment and representation.

The resilience of the workers who challenged significant pushback by Alabama politicians and the corporations in their pockets cannot be understated. Before the election even began, Mercedes workers had already organized to eliminate two-tier wages, received the “UAW bump” in pay, and ousted an ineffectual CEO. 

And workers everywhere are taking notice. Organizing efforts are ramping up at other electric vehicle and parts and assembly plants throughout the South. Just down the road from Mercedes, workers at an EV bus factory inked their first contract, which included significant economic gains. 

The broader labor movement must take this opportunity to support courageous workers organizing shop-by-shop and boldly call for industry-wide interventions that create a friendlier terrain for unionization. Mercedes' aggressive anti-union tactics, coupled with the staunch opposition from Alabama's political leaders, highlight the urgent need for stronger protections for workers' rights.

Jobs With Justice stands firmly in solidarity with these workers as they navigate an uphill battle to achieve fair representation in their workplace.

Read our full statement on the Mercedes-Benz union campaign here.

In Solidarity,

Erica Smiley

Executive Director

Jobs With Justice