The German government has officially launched an investigation into Mercedes-Benz Group AG, focusing on allegations of illegal anti-union activities at its plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. This formal inquiry, announced by Germany’s Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control, comes as workers at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Tuscaloosa are in the midst of a union vote.
A significant majority of workers at the Alabama plant have voiced support for unionization. However, these efforts have reportedly been met with a robust and allegedly unlawful anti-union campaign orchestrated by Mercedes-Benz management and external consultants.
Jeremy Kimbrell, a long-term employee at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Tuscaloosa since 1999, emphasized the disparity in worker rights: “Autoworkers in Alabama should have the same rights and be treated with the same respect as autoworkers in Germany.” He further expressed gratitude for the German government’s intervention: “My coworkers and I are grateful to the German government for taking our testimonies and the evidence we have provided seriously and taking the first steps to hold the lawless, reckless Mercedes managers in Alabama accountable for their action.”
The investigation stems from charges filed by the UAW (United Auto Workers) in early April against Mercedes-Benz Group AG. The UAW alleges that Mercedes-Benz has violated Germany’s new law concerning global supply chain practices. Specifically, the complaint argues that Mercedes-Benz’s aggressive opposition to unionization efforts by American autoworkers in Alabama constitutes a human rights violation under the German Act on Corporate Due Diligence Obligations in Supply Chains. This legislation could potentially subject Mercedes-Benz to substantial penalties, including significant financial fines and restrictions on government contracts.
Mercedes-Benz U.S. International (MBUSI), the subsidiary operating the Tuscaloosa plant, is at the center of the allegations. The UAW complaint details instances where MBUSI management has allegedly engaged in intimidation, threats, and even wrongful terminations of employees in Alabama. These actions are claimed to be in violation of both U.S. labor law and International Labor Organization Conventions. The complaint outlines seven specific breaches of the German act, including:
- Unjust Firing of Union Supporter: The case of a worker with Stage 4 cancer being dismissed. Despite prior accommodations allowing him to keep his phone for crucial medical updates, a supervisor, identified as having a history of anti-union actions, reportedly cited a zero-tolerance phone policy as grounds for termination.
- CEO’s Anti-Union Letter: A letter disseminated in January by MBUSI CEO Michael Göbel is cited as an attempt to suppress union activities and infringe upon workers’ freedom of association. The letter allegedly employed standard anti-union rhetoric designed to instill fear and division among employees.
- Mandatory Anti-Union Meetings: CEO Michael Göbel conducted mandatory plant-wide meetings, including one in February, explicitly aimed at dissuading workers from unionizing. During these meetings, Göbel reportedly stated his disbelief in the UAW’s ability to improve the plant and questioned the transparency of union dues.
- Nick Saban’s Appearance at Mandatory Meeting: Another mandatory meeting in February featured former University of Alabama football coach Nick Saban. Prior to and during this event, MBUSI supervisors allegedly attempted to prevent union supporters from distributing UAW hats.
Despite the company’s alleged anti-union campaign, a supermajority of workers at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Tuscaloosa are publicly supporting the union. Workers express confidence in a union victory when the ballots are tallied on Friday, May 17th. If successful, this would mark the second Southern auto plant to unionize with the UAW within a month, and contribute to the growing wave of unionization efforts across non-union auto plants nationwide.
