The German government has officially opened an investigation into Mercedes-Benz Group AG, focusing on allegations of illegal anti-union activities at its Vance, Alabama plant. This move by Germany’s Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control marks a significant step in addressing workers’ rights within the global operations of Mercedes, a German automotive giant.
This investigation comes as workers at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama are in the midst of voting on union representation. A substantial majority of these workers have voiced their support for unionization, facing what they describe as an intense and unlawful intimidation campaign orchestrated by management and external anti-union consultants hired by the company over several months.
“Autoworkers in Alabama deserve the same rights and respect as their counterparts in Germany,” stated Jeremy Kimbrell, a long-term employee at the plant since 1999. “We, the workers, deeply appreciate the German government for seriously considering our testimonies and the evidence we’ve provided. Their investigation is a crucial first step in holding Mercedes managers in Alabama accountable for their actions, which we believe are reckless and unlawful.” This sentiment underscores the core issue: the disparity in labor practices between Mercedes’ German home base and its US operations.
The United Auto Workers (UAW) union initiated charges against Mercedes-Benz Group AG, a German corporation, in early April. These charges cite violations of Germany’s recently enacted law concerning global supply chain practices. The UAW argues that Mercedes-Benz’s aggressive anti-union stance against its U.S. autoworkers in Alabama constitutes a clear breach of human rights, as defined under the German Act on Corporate Due Diligence Obligations in Supply Chains. This legal framework is designed to ensure that German companies uphold ethical standards across their global operations. Consequently, Mercedes-Benz, being german, could potentially face substantial penalties, including significant financial fines and restrictions on government contracts if found in violation.
Mercedes-Benz U.S. International (MBUSI), the subsidiary based in Alabama, is under the operational control of its parent company, Stuttgart-headquartered Mercedes-Benz Group AG. This German entity is now facing serious allegations. The UAW complaint meticulously details instances where MBUSI management has allegedly engaged in intimidation, threats, and even wrongful terminations of Alabama workers. These actions are claimed to be in direct violation of both U.S. labor law and International Labor Organization Conventions. The complaint specifically outlines seven distinct violations of the German Act, including several disturbing examples:
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The termination of a union supporter battling Stage 4 cancer: This employee, who had been granted permission to keep his cellphone at work to receive critical updates regarding his chemotherapy medication, was allegedly fired. A supervisor, identified as being involved in intimidating union supporters, reportedly cited a purported zero-tolerance cellphone policy as the reason for dismissal.
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A January letter from MBUSI CEO Michael Göbel: This communication to employees is alleged to have been an attempt to suppress union activity and infringe upon workers’ freedom of association. The letter purportedly employed standard phrases commonly used by anti-union consultants, designed to foster fear, uncertainty, and division among the workforce.
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A mandatory plant-wide meeting in February led by CEO Göbel: During this assembly, Göbel reportedly discouraged workers from unionizing by stating, “I don’t believe the UAW can help us to be better,” and raising concerns about union dues, claiming workers “shouldn’t have to pay union dues that generate millions of dollars per year for an organization where you have no transparency where that money is used.”
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Another mandatory plant-wide meeting in February featuring former University of Alabama football Coach Nick Saban: Prior to and during this meeting, MBUSI supervisors allegedly attempted to prevent union supporters from distributing UAW hats, further indicating an effort to stifle pro-union sentiment.
Despite what is described as a concerted anti-union campaign by the company, a clear majority of MBUSI workers have publicly declared their support for the union. These workers express confidence in a union victory when the ballots are tallied on Friday, May 17th. Should they succeed, this plant would become the second Southern auto plant to vote in favor of joining the UAW within a month, and part of a larger wave of unionization efforts across numerous non-union auto plants throughout the United States. The german roots of Mercedes-Benz and the intervention of the German government add an international dimension to this significant labor dispute in the American South.
