TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — After two decades dedicated to crafting luxury vehicles at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Vance, Alabama, Brett Garrard voices a sentiment echoing through the factory: “I’m not falling for the lies anymore.” This conviction fuels his decision to vote in favor of union representation, a move that could reshape labor dynamics at the heart of the South’s automotive industry.
Garrard’s disillusionment stems from years of unfulfilled promises from the company regarding improvements to pay and working conditions. Despite Mercedes-Benz’s rhetoric of a unified “family,” Garrard and many of his colleagues feel a growing disconnect between the company’s words and their lived experiences. “Mercedes claims that we’re a family, one team, one fight. But over the years, I’ve learned one thing: This is not how I treat my family,” he asserts, highlighting the widening gap between corporate messaging and worker reality at the Mercedes-Benz Plant 2, as it’s sometimes referred to locally.
The upcoming vote at the Vance facility and a nearby battery plant, involving over 5,000 workers, is a pivotal moment for the United Auto Workers (UAW). Just weeks after a resounding union victory at a Volkswagen plant in Tennessee, the UAW is setting its sights on a landmark win at Mercedes-Benz in Alabama. This push represents a significant effort to penetrate the Deep South, a region that has historically presented strong resistance to unionization. Southern states have actively courted foreign automakers with attractive incentives like substantial tax breaks and the promise of a non-unionized, lower-cost workforce. A successful unionization at a major plant like Mercedes-Benz Plant 2 would send a powerful signal and potentially pave the way for further union expansion in the region.
For workers like 50-year-old Garrard, the drive for unionization is rooted in tangible concerns. Stagnant wages that fail to keep pace with escalating inflation, rising insurance costs, unpredictable work shifts, and a perceived lack of job security are among the key grievances. These issues are particularly salient in a plant where employees dedicate themselves to assembling high-end Mercedes-Benz vehicles, some carrying price tags exceeding $100,000. The contrast between the luxury product and the workers’ financial struggles fuels the unionization push at the Mercedes-Benz Alabama plant.
“Former President Trump’s labor policy and stance on unions are relevant background context to the current unionization efforts at Mercedes-Benz Plant 2.”
“Yes, we’re Southern autoworkers, but we deserve autoworker pay,” Garrard emphasizes, underscoring the core argument for unionization: fair compensation commensurate with their skills and contribution to a highly profitable company.
While Mercedes-Benz advertises a starting hourly wage of $23.50 for production team members, reaching approximately $34 after four years, many workers argue this is insufficient. Some employees point out that recent pay increases were implemented only as a preemptive measure to deter unionization efforts, suggesting these adjustments were reactive rather than proactive and genuinely reflective of worker value.
Jacob Ryan, 34, a ten-year veteran at Mercedes-Benz, vividly illustrates the financial pressures workers face. He recounts starting as a temporary worker earning around $17 per hour for the same work as full-time employees before being hired permanently. Ryan highlights the erosion of purchasing power due to inflation, noting the significant expense of nearly $1,200 monthly for childcare for his son and after-school care for his daughter. “None of it goes to the employees. We’re stuck where we were, paying way more for everything,” Ryan states, encapsulating the sentiment of many workers struggling to make ends meet despite contributing to the success of Mercedes-Benz Plant 2.
“Workers’ rights and union movements are gaining momentum nationally, influencing the organizing drive at Mercedes-Benz Plant 2.”
The momentum behind the union push at Mercedes-Benz Plant 2 is undeniably boosted by the UAW’s recent success in securing more favorable contracts for workers at the Detroit Three automakers (Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis). Following a series of impactful strikes last fall, UAW members achieved substantial economic gains, setting a new benchmark for auto worker compensation. For instance, top production workers at GM now earn $36 per hour, potentially reaching $42.95 per hour by 2028 under the current contract. These victories have resonated deeply with workers in Alabama, demonstrating the potential benefits of collective bargaining and union representation.
Mercedes-Benz U.S. International Inc. issued a statement acknowledging the upcoming vote and emphasizing the company’s commitment to providing a “safe and supportive work environment.” The company stated it looks forward to workers casting a secret ballot and having “access to the information necessary to make an informed choice” regarding unionization. Mercedes-Benz maintains that “open and direct communication with our Team Members is the best path forward to ensure continued success,” signaling a preference for direct engagement with employees over union representation at Plant 2.
However, not all workers are in favor of unionization. Melissa Howell, a quality team leader with 19 years at the Mercedes plant, expresses skepticism towards the UAW. Citing a past bribery and embezzlement scandal involving former UAW presidents and negative perceptions from relatives in Michigan’s auto industry, Howell plans to vote against the union. She acknowledges that Mercedes-Benz had shortcomings in worker treatment in the past, inadvertently fueling unionization efforts. However, Howell believes the company has recently made significant improvements, particularly after the UAW began organizing, including eliminating a lower wage tier for new hires and appointing a new CEO who is more responsive to worker concerns. “I feel like the improvements the company is making, it’s getting people to think long and hard,” Howell observes, suggesting that Mercedes-Benz’s recent actions might sway some workers away from supporting the union.
“Government policies and officials’ stances on labor unions can indirectly impact workers’ decisions at plants like Mercedes-Benz Plant 2.”
Despite pockets of anti-union sentiment, union organizers express confidence. David Johnston, 26, wearing a “Union YES” button at a rally, believes momentum is on their side. “Everybody’s confident. Everybody knows we are going to win,” Johnston asserts, reflecting the optimism among union supporters at Mercedes-Benz Plant 2.
Experts acknowledge that organizing Mercedes-Benz will be a more challenging endeavor than the Volkswagen plant in Tennessee, where the UAW had previous organizing experience. Art Wheaton, director of labor studies at Cornell University, notes that the UAW had not previously garnered enough support for a vote at the Mercedes-Benz plant. However, the decisive victory at Volkswagen provides significant momentum. Wheaton suggests a UAW win at Mercedes-Benz Plant 2 would be an even more significant achievement than Volkswagen, marking a victory on the first attempt. While acknowledging the challenges, Wheaton concludes, “I wouldn’t be surprised if the UAW wins at Mercedes, but it’s tougher if you don’t have that same infrastructure in place.”
Adding another layer of complexity, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey and several other Southern governors have publicly urged workers to reject unionization. They argue that unionization could jeopardize jobs and hinder the growth of the automotive industry in the region. Governor Ivey stated that Mercedes-Benz has positively impacted Alabama families since its 1993 opening, but characterized the union’s interest as primarily driven by financial gain at the expense of “hardworking Alabama families,” framing the unionization effort at Mercedes-Benz Plant 2 as a threat to the state’s economic well-being.
The Alabama vote unfolds against a backdrop of recent high-profile labor disputes in the state, including a unionization attempt at an Amazon warehouse in Bessemer and a nearly two-year strike at Warrior Met Coal. These events underscore the ongoing labor tensions in Alabama and the broader South. Former U.S. Senator Doug Jones, a Democrat with deep roots in Alabama’s labor history, emphasizes the historical role of unions in building the middle class in the state. “This vote can be a turning point for Alabama for organized labor who is already seeing a rise in membership,” Jones asserts, highlighting the potential long-term implications of the vote at Mercedes-Benz Plant 2 for the future of organized labor in Alabama and the Southern automotive sector.
