Mercedes-Benz denies ‘anti-union’ claims after US union complaint

Mercedes-Benz said Wednesday it recognizes the right of its workers to form representatives after the U.S. auto workers’ union said it had aired a complaint about the company’s “anti-union” campaign at its Alabama plant.

Workers at a Mercedes-Benz US International (MBUSI) assembly plant in Alabama are continuing their efforts to join the United Auto Workers (UAW) and plan to file a petition early this week, a union leader said Tuesday.

On Wednesday, the UAW said it had filed a lawsuit against Mercedes-Benz Group for violating Germany’s global supply chain practices, which prevent German companies from ignoring workers’ rights to form unions.

“Workers at the Mercedes-Benz assembly and battery plant in Vance, Alabama, are planning to join the UAW and have faced opposition from the UAW management company,” the union said in a statement.

The UAW detailed its complaint, listing seven violations, such as firing a union supporter for using a cell phone at work for medical emergencies and mandatory company needs, as well as a letter from the CEO trying to discourage workers from unionizing.

The union said it has also filed several complaints with the US National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).

A Mercedes-Benz spokesman said the company had not received any complaints in Germany and could therefore not comment further.

“At the Mercedes-Benz Group, we recognize the right of our employees to train workers’ representatives,” the spokesman said, adding that the union’s claims about a union supporting the leader are incorrect.

The automaker said that its subsidiary’s management wanted to ensure team members could make the right decision following the union’s national campaign to increase the number of members, adding that the manufacturer would present its version of the case to the US authorities. (Reporting by Riham Alkousaa, Editing by Nick Zieminski)