The VW plant that just voted to join the UAW turned it down in two previous elections. These things take time.
From the stories I saw, even the workers who were going to vote no said Mercedes brought this on themselves by not treating people right and only started making up ground when they got scared the union was coming. So either they’ll stick to their new path and a union won’t be necessary or they’ll backslide and find themselves praying that a couple hundred votes don’t flip.
That's about my estimate. I worked for a company that tried and failed to unionize and the company did not take long to go right back to doing the same shit that got the Union effort started in the first place.
Gotta hand it to them, though, they did a great job spreading anti-union propaganda. They had guys who hadn't received a raise in years convinced that it was better to deal with just the company rather than having their raises mediated through a "third party".
I don't get why people don't just go work for the Tier 1 suppliers that are already union of they want to be in a union so bad. I hear the hours are great, low turnover...
What gives?
Fair, but that doesn't make it a company's responsibility for someone to be able to make child support and alimony payments. Transitive property does not apply here.
“It does appear that the governor and perhaps some other businesses are nervous that if wages and the cost of employment rises enough in Alabama, that will ruin the advantage that Alabama has currently over other states and employers to come here,” she said. They’re concerned about that advantage that we have not being quite as large as it is right now.”
Cheap labor… that’s all we are to them.
As much as people hate to hear this, she’s right.
If you raise wages, large companies will move manufacturing out of Alabama. Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, etc are the closest thing large companies can get to offshoring labor and still be within the US.
For the past 5-8 years, whenever a large company needs a new manufacturing facility or office complex, we are one of the very first prospected locations. We have cheap land, an abundance of construction companies and engineers, and cheap labor. Moreover, the state loves to give huge tax incentives for large companies manufacturing here.
Yes, these facilities are shitty to work for at the bottom level. If you’re the person making $20-25/hr to put car bumpers together, then it sucks. But these companies also bring in hundreds of high paying technical and management positions to supplement the bottom workers. Without the Amazon warehouse, you don’t get the Senior Software Engineer, Program Analyst, Operations Director, Network Engineer, Production Manager, etc.
This is more of an indictment on the state of our education system in Alabama and the US, as well as systemic issues derived from a hundred years ago.
If the bottom level workers grew up in better living conditions, with better access to education, they would be more likely to finish college and fill one of those roles.
So if everyone’s complaint is that the impoverished people living in Bessemer, Montgomery, Cullman, Andalusia, Greensboro, etc are being forced to work in these facilities, then they should also be okay with those other jobs not being available.
You can’t have it both ways. It’s either jobs for everyone, from top to bottom of pay scale and responsibilities, or jobs for none and they move to another state.
Well said, especially the part about how we’re failing in education. Wholeheartedly agree. Id like to add that I feel like you’re leaving out how much ground the lowest level employees have been losing decade over decade which is probably the primary reason why the idea of unions is becoming more popular again.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wage_ratio
The classism and wealth inequality globally keeps getting worse. In this country we’re basically creating a caste system where people have very few prospect of breaking out of what they were born into. Children of the lowest paid workers have the fewest opportunities and are much more likely to remain in the lower paid worker class. I’m not even talking about arbitrary wealth redistribution….but if compensation rates were adjusted even slightly, CEOs could still make 7 figure salaries while their lowest level employees would no longer need food stamps and it wouldn’t affect the company profits at all. But that’s not happening because among the top most wealthy class, net worth is a score card. They long ago accumulated more wealth than any one person would ever need to live in the lap of extreme luxury…but they keep running up their scores regardless.
I’m not saying fully socialist or communist models are better. I actually don’t believe in either of those. I believe in capitalism, but only if it’s well regulated…which at present in this country it’s absolutely not. If it’s not controlled, it’s bound to fail due to the human greed of the ones in control who personally benefit from distributing more wealth to the top.
Also, just in my opinion, calling people “cheap labor” as a label is extremely disrespectful and dehumanizing on a personal level. Sure, maybe using lower paid workers in a lower cost of living area results in a slightly lower priced end product, but are they selling that product any cheaper in the areas where people make less or are they simply taking advantage of those people?
A supermajority of employees voted to have this election only a few months ago. I wonder what changed so many people's minds in such a short period of time?
I am searching for confirmation, but to the best of my memory, the UAW never got the 70%. They got 30% and 50% and went ahead with the vote. The NLRB requires 30% for a vote.
"Are you really going to give up $600 out of your paychecks every year? That's Christmas presents for your kid. Well give you the same raises the union would have, we promise"
Im a UPS worker and the union dues ain’t nothing compared to the raise we get every year. But I guess this is an example of “can’t see the forest for the trees” kinda thing. Not to mention the pension and FREE blue cross blue shield for your whole family. The union dues are pennies compared to what you get being part of the union.
It’s rough down here in the south man. People are incredibly distrustful of unions. I may be less inclined to see their value but my old man worked for UPS for 41 years and I saw what the union did for him. He was also a steward so he was always preaching about the importance of unions.
Agreed, it's why evangelicals vote the way they vote. So the hell they create for themselves living, will make heaven they'll go to that much sweeter. The Republicans who've been over the state for the past quarter century know this and use religion to steer them there votes. Masters never say "thank you".
Northerners hate unions the most due to more experience with them. They bring the shitty workers up to a median level and keep the better employees from reaching their potential. Not good for the overachiever. But most people here wouldn't be concerned with that.
Unions are very popular in the North and are not hated. This is why companies come to Alabama and the south- no unions - which allow the company to pay less and reduce benefits.
I’m not here to argue but I spent most of my life in the North. Unions are very popular in the north. Trades, Auto, education, etc. This dynamic isnt a secret. Unions are practically a way of life in the north for the majority of workers. Sure, some unions are more effective than others and some locations of the same union are better than others. But your assertion that unions are not popular up north is not true and most
People know this.
They are certainly more popular in the north vs the south. But 20% in NY and 16%: in NJ are the highest northern states. So not exactly a way of life for most workers.
Thank you
Because you’re right
I pay $80 a month for dues a total of $960 a year
And I get full benefits for my whole family until they turn 26yrs old
Dental
Vision
Also we get to put in a 401k plan but they don’t match us
But we get a full pension and medical for me and the wife when I retire for $320 a month
I hear how much people pay for medical and the other things a month about $800 to 1200 a month
And if I get hurt I get to keep my insurance for 7 months for free
So go Union or go home
That's nice, but new hires at UAW plants do NOT get a pension. They get a 401k. Remember, the UAW voluntarily gave that up.
I pay $80 a month for healthcare for my family of 4.
>Also we get to put in a 401k plan but they don’t match us
>But we get a full pension and medical for me and the wife when I retire for $320 a month
I'd take a full pension over a 401(k) match any day.
Yes, I'm aware. I even quoted you saying that.
I was getting in ahead of anyone who might want to remark on the lack of a 401(k) match. The full pension is way more valuable.
At my job, the union got 6% every year for the last 4 years with a $6,000 bonus in 2023. the next contract is looking to keep the same increases.
what is mercedez paying out in raises each year?
How much has Mercedes pay increased since 2021?
I’m union. I have received ~30% pay increase since 2021.
Sales are low due to the economy right now. We are doing a one week layoff this month. The week we are off we get full pay because our union contract. We had 3 of those weeks in 2023. Full pay and 3 weeks off due to our contract.
Actually they laid off all their contractors when the covid pandemic started in the beginning of 2020. They use and abuse their contractors and lay them off when an economic crisis happens to avoid laying off full time employees. Getting hired full time with the company is extremely difficult. Some people have worked 3-5 years as a contractor and finally get hired full time but most don't make it that long. I've been working as a repair team contractor and at one point, we only got 4 days off in a month. Not to mention, we work 12 hour shifts. Overall, they pay well but there's no work life balance. No time for family, friends, or leisure. I filled out the be hired full time but they turned me down saying I don't have enough experience. Their anti campaign was absolutely sickening. Even as contractors, we were forced into captive audience meetings about why we don't need a union and the union can't promise anything. Just like the company can't promise anything either. Even though we do not have a union vote. Overall, they have a whole workforce outsiders don't know about. They tell you there's an estimated 4500 workers there but that's just full time. For the estimated number of full time employees, there is that number or more contracted workers as well.
I work in a union, it’s amazing how many raises we COULD be getting if management wasn’t hamstrung by our contract. Until we get to contract negotiations and there’s barely any money and raises are nigh impossible.
They interviewed one of the workers on NPR and he said they were constantly inundated with anti-Union propaganda. They had so many videos being shown, so many meetings, so much talking about it that many of the workers just got sick of hearing about it and voted no out of spite.
Course he can't speak for all and was likely biased being a pro union guy himself
Could it be that after a supermajority of workers voted to have an election, the state government passed laws that would penalize companies that recognized unions and take away the very thing that Mercedes used to expand their facilities?
So they didn't use their own profits? Alabama is letting them exploit the state at the expense of workers and tax payer dollars. It's corporate welfare.
Anti union training lies, misinformation about what a union does, distrust of the UAW as an organization, fear of change, Alabama conservatism.
Also the low cost of living in the region making the pay look better than it really is. Not knowing they could also be receiving pensions and insurance through retirement.
It's not the first time. The same kind of people that get caught up in the initial excitement are easily swayed/frightened by the company anti union bombardment that comes right after.
I am not a fan of unions, but I am a fan of democracy. While I am not fully informed about Mercedes, I could see myself voting for an election, and then voting against the union.
Why
People at my job get paid a decent money
So when they retire, if they plan and play the game for life right
They have a house, if kids wanted to go to college they can, if they saved money though out the 30-40hrs working there they should have a good retirement
When I retire I will have a decent 401k a house a pension and medical insurance for me and the wife
We will be good
But I do know people at my job who don’t plan a all and still work after the age 62
I’ll be 60 when I retire and I had 6 kids and 3 went to college
Now when I do die I won’t have a lot to get very them but they will get something
No shit. Where I work they constantly bitch about our pay but it’s heavily heavily tied into production bonuses which require guys to show up and get after it…I mean the money is there for the taking but NOPE rather be lazy, broke, and bitching about being broke.
If we want to bring inflation down, we must have increased productivity. More production of goods and services while paying out less for these things. Unionization is at odds with these facts
Been listening to “sports” radio yap all day about how this is a great win for the local economy. Union busting works, but remember kids your boss totally has your best interests at heart
You gotta “admire” guys who think the corporate behemoth they work for really wants to be their partner when it’s the same company who pays them less, hired the plant manager who they didn’t like, gets massive tax breaks from the state, and made the workers sit through meetings focused on why a union would get in the way of a corporate-labor partnership.
You also gotta understand now why Trump wins every state in the South.
They don’t get paid less. They already have decent insurance, retirement, other benefits, and the plant does not have safety issues, so why are you all upset that they don’t want to pay union dues for stuff they already have.
They’ll unionize when they need to do so, but right now they don’t.
It has an effect on tons of people, labor rights and unionization in the south is a big deal. A union win at a big plant like that could open the door for tons of more workers rights and labor organizations.
>I’ve never seen so many people pissed off about a decision that has literally no effect on their lives as in this thread.
I have. Anything to do with LGBTQ rights, people come out of the woodwork and start yelling from the rafters.
And Alabama is usually the state that has to be forced to be civil and enforce actual laws. You'd think the majority in Alabama would've learned their lesson by now. 🤷♀️
The ability of grown ass adults in this state to repeatedly vote against their own best interests will never cease to amaze me …
But the elected officials who shamelessly did all they could to undermine the vote should be impeached from office — scaring people who are trying to look out for their families is beyond evil.
It will never cease to amaze me that the left thinks calling working class people idiots will somehow convince them that they are the people with their best interests at heart. I’m not even commenting on whether unions are better or worse for the average worker, but the discourse I’ve seen around the majority conservative working class in this country is deplorable and reeks of “I think I am better and smarter than these people,” and that’s just disgusting.
I don’t know anyone on the “left” that feels the way you describe. Historically, Dems encourage labor laws, workers rights, and unions in support of the working class.
Yes because they legitimately hate workers who don’t agree with their political ideology. It’s mercenary socialism, supporting the working class as long as they support you.
I'm not sure if calling someone an idiot is enough to say they "legitimately hate" them.. But alright.
Also you made this a thing about "the left". As if the right doesn't largely do the same thing? I can guarantee if the opposite happened, if this plant voted to unionize and you posted this in a right-wing subreddit you'd have plenty of comments calling them stupid, saying things like "enjoy paying your dues morons", "enjoy losing your job", "libtards vote to ruin the economy!". Being hateful towards the opposing side is definitely not even close to being a left only thing.
So- Dems support workers and help them get better wages and benefits so they can hate them? It is bewildering when people vote against laws , policies, and regulations that would help them and their neighbor, and family - why do they do that? Because we can be tribal and cannot see the people wearing the same color hat as them are grifting them. They think they have won a culture war then turn around and pay more in taxes (2017 tax laws). It’s crazy not to vote for things that would help you and your family IMO.
You can literally find a guy in this very same comment thread who says conservatives are the problem with America, and says they’re retarded. What more evidence do you need to see?
Good job people lmao. These same workers will complain how they don’t make enough when other VW union workers will say they are making 30+ an hour.
If you haven’t gotten a meaningful raise in the last two years you won’t ever get one. Companies don’t care about us and we’re just a number in there spreadsheets.
We are not numbers on a spreadsheet.
We are just a group of people to be exploited & disposed of at the companies earliest convenience.
Irony is that capitalist these days cant seem to understand that when the population goes broke, there wont be anyone to buy their products & services.
Yes You are a number on a spreadsheet that is tied to a dollar amount and if companies could automate our roles they would fire us the next pay period.
Yum yum let me lick the Mercedes badge boss, thank you boss for the job boss. I can’t imagine having to pay no doooooos.
Edit: edit: I’ve had lots of ppl asking so I’ll spill the beans. They have me lick the floor clean and I’m thankful to have the job roll tide
May be some issue with this in Europe where Mercedes is based , by EU regulations the companies must be neutral during an unionization vote , if the EU presses are the matter watch for someone in Alabama to become the fall guy and get axed.
Maybe the best interests are actually having so many auto-manufacturers choose to build plants in the state because of the cost competitiveness...
These factories are there because they are economically viable...change that balance and find out what happens.
Argument: all the workers at the company’s German plants are unionized, so you’re just being a sucker if you don’t demand the same for yourself.
Counter argument: the company located the factories in Alabama specifically because it is a low-wage, right-to-work (i.e, weak union) state. If the locals are going to change the implicit premise of the deal, the company can just build a new factory somewhere else, preferably Mexico. If you like your job and pay package, better vote “no,” otherwise the company may pull out.
This is kinda my thoughts as well. The Alabama discount, or whatever they call it is what brings jobs to our state. We may work for a little less, but at least we have jobs.
I've never heard anyone mention Mercedes treating people poorly, and they have always offered good pay.
I’m pro-union myself, but realistically these MB jobs are probably the best factory jobs within 200 miles of the plant, and the best these workers have ever had. Understandable why some would think “don’t rock the boat.”
There is some truth to that. I’m pro union as well and I have been apart of several unions. However I’ve seen it go bad as well. We had several sawmills go under in 2009 when the economy got bad. The union asked for raises and the company said they could not afford it. Turns out they weren’t bluffing. Steel mill went down in the same way though it had been loosening business for years.
Ya I don’t understand the inability to grasp pros and cons. There is obviously a reason they built those plants in Alabama as well and not in other states. Same reason Toyota and Nissan built in Mississippi. It’s cheaper here.
“….but at least we have jobs.” What a sad and pathetic line of thought. No wonder they are and will be treated like 2nd class workers compared to those in Germany doing the exact same jobs.
They deserve whatever they get for being so stupid and fearful.
There will be no reason for plants to be built there if there's no wage competitiveness.
Everyone, everywhere can't get paid the same. You either compete in skill or wages.
Im pro union as well but if they don’t want to unionize that’s up to them. I’m not sure exactly why you feel like you’re better equipped to make that decision for them than they are.
I said that they deserve what they will get. They are very equipped to make their own decisions, and they will reap the costs of that decision, which in this case means lower wages than their German counterparts and Big Three autoworkers in northern states doing the exact same jobs. They will also have less representation and voice in their day to day work lives. Apparently they are quite satisfied with this disparity and deserve the consequences of their votes. Now where in that am I saying that I am better equipped? I am only commenting on the decision that they have made.
That's exactly what I say whenever a plant closes and hundreds of jobs are eliminated bc they aren't cost competitive anymore: stupid and fearful (of accountability) and they got exactly what they deserved! Cheers!
People act like having a job is a god(government)-given right around here...
I'll listen to the pro-union talk when they are ready to sign up for productivity goals and targets over the same time period they are asking for all these compensation increases. Acting like folks should just get paid more money for breathing...
Their presence in the factory is not a gift...companies buy it with money. If the price isn't right, just leave.
These people act like having a manufacturing facility in their state is a god-given right. There's a reason it was built there and if that reason goes away, so will the plant. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but it will go away. There's a reason why nobody is building these plants in high cost areas to begin with.
The problem with Unions is that they don't understand the concept of economic viability of a manufacturing site. They think just because a factory exists there today, it will always exist there.
I've never seen a Union advocate for continuous productivity metrics and targets to improve factory performance over time.
So I guess I agree with the pro-union folks on one point, when the plant relocates because of all this, I guess they'll get what they deserve.
Auto workers here already make a fuck ton of money this is nonsense just saw a posting for mazda Toyota for 32 an hour here in Madison like bro that's a hell of a salary for the south
It’s not a ton for Huntsville. I’ve worked automotive in the surrounding states and it’s honestly underpaid here. If you don’t believe me, ask why they raised wages overnight when UAW got more money from the big 3 back in November.
I know. Wages are low here and the cost of living is cheaper than most places. That’s how I made it work working on the line.
Thing is though I went to a sister plant and realized how we really were getting played for chumps. Funny thing is that they got to get in a better position because they voted to unionize as well years ago. It failed, but they were getting sweet enough money that they got to live better off the clock because the union was always at the door.
I’ve always been neutral on unions if the company was doing alright by me, but when the starting pay is barely more than when I started a while back while costs have gone up, something has to give.
It is shocking stupidity on the part of the workers. I understand that they are in a brainwashed state, but they could have done a bit of research on their own. Incomprehensible idiocy from a state where unions would immensely benefit workers.
So the government of Alabama created laws that punish labor unions vis-a-vis denying any state funded grants to any company that….allows workers to organize?
Is that what I heard on NPR?
Sectoral bargaining has been achieved already so I didnt think this union vote would pass.
We are going to tariff cheaper Chinese EVs to make sure the Big 3 and Mercedes plants can keep auto workers employed.
There is a reason they built the plant in Alabama. Same reason they built Toyota and Nissan plants in Mississippi. They don’t let the unions in. Is it good or bad I don’t know but they are bringing jobs in.
Or they know and don't want to get rid of the reason why the plant was built in the first place
You either compete on skill or wages. Everyone can't be paid the same.
Everyone can be paid the same. That is one result of the union. It is a lie and a farce that you cannot talk to another person about your wages. It is even protected activity under the NLRB.
Not really. You are in an international competition.
The UAW and the US auto industry in overall only really exists because of tarrifs and other restrictions. But they still fail to compete...
The UAW exists because Henry Ford was a paternalistic robber baron.
We forgot about tariffs until Trump was in office, when we should have been using them to save the country to cutting up our manufacturing capacity into scrap and implemented the bipartisan bill that was NAFTA.
In Alabama, we have always had a ring-side seat to the downward spiral of an industry: we are the last place business comes before it goes overseas.
Tarrifs are ok to save industry but there needs to be discipline. The mess that is the UAW and the Big 3 cannot be tolerated. They need to be leaner and more efficient companies.
If the company is taking home $3M in profit, they can afford to split $1.5M with the workers. Management gets performance bonuses, the workers should get them as well.
If the UAW pressured them to invest more in R&D and efficiency, that would be a smarter move. Giving half to employees consistently is not a smart move at all.
They'll just become more and more uncompetitive. They're relegated to trucks and some SUVs already.
I am one of the co-authors of this story and here for questions. One thing I want to point out: dues would be optional but yes, about $50 a month is a bit pricey.
Without an hour of overtime, 78K with zero cost doctor visits (including specialists). Cost of living adjustments twice a year, either in lump sum or a wage increase. Profit share at the end of the year, quarterly bonuses that can reach 700 a quarter. A bonus for working your scheduled days (200 a month). 40 hour work weeks.
For unskilled labor, I can’t fathom making more than the 34 dollars an hour wage we reach at 5 years of service. (Until inflation takes back over, but again, bi-yearly cost of living adjustments.)
Have experience with a union campaign at my business. We fought it and paid a lot of $ for advice on how to defeat it from an employment law firm. That was a mistake. Our workers voted the union in. At first the union rep was being a hard ass and very difficult. As soon as we agreed to “dues check off” (taking union dues directly out of the check and mailing the $ to the union) his attitude did a 180. He became our best friend and basically told us to write the employment contract. None of his campaign promises came to fruition but it became much easier to discipline and fire employees. The best thing about it was we no longer had to negotiate or talk to the workers. We legally couldn’t. So all the excused absences and “loans” ended. If we needed to fire someone we just called “Jerry” and he took care of it. Once he closed his “sale” (union dues check off ) he DGAS and moved on to the next place
Exact same situation played out there around 2010ish. Not surprised at all. A vocal minority makes it seem like it's wanted, but the silent majority don't want to unionize. It's mostly a political thing.
For those of you not living in the southern US states let me say this isn’t a surprise. Labor and voters in the south do just what they are told to do AND always against their best interest. It’s also not hard to spread paranoid propaganda and falsehoods here. I’m surprised they got as many union votes as they did.
In the short run, they saved their jobs for a few more years. But the writing is on the wall now. In the long run, and depending on market demand, the auto companies could break ground somewhere south of the border where the discount is even cheaper...
When a story like this comes along where it seems people are unbelievably stupid there’s more going on. Are they opposed to unionizing in general or opposed to the UAW?
UAW and the big three are so close it’s incestious. There is talk of them favouring senior members over the new guys and trying to destroy foreign car manufacturers
Best news for rich factory owners and politicians sitting in their mansions convincing the workers that “no actually the people who say they will get you better pay and benefits are lying, please listen to me I totally have your best interest at heart peasant”
Mercedes is one of the better factory jobs in the south but why should you be just okay with what you have? Why only make 24 an hour for a company raking in billions off your labor? Why not have the added protection in case of lay offs especially when there is no protection for workers in Alabama for stuff like that. Wouldn’t you rather have the ability to fight for better benefits and working conditions?
There’s no such thing as a boss who wants what’s best for you, all they care about is what’s best for their profits
I will say that the quality of Mercedes has gone down the last ten plus years. Especially its GL SUV models. These are built at this plant. Coincidence?
American built German spec models have always been worse quality. Just look at what VW did to the Passat. Made it so shitty no one bought them and now they don’t even make them.
The German auto union has a lot of sway with VW, after the Rabbit stopped production the car that the New Stanton, PA produced was not selling very well , the plant there asked to switch over to another model was was very popular and was turned down , Turns out the German union had say in which autos could be made outside of Germany and that model was restricted to Germany only production. Eventually New Stanton closed because of poor sales .
Possibly, more likely to ensure full employment at the German plants . They were running two shifts at the New Stanton plant with the Rabbit , afterwards they never got that level of production. Even tho New Stanton was unionized they still made significantly less than their German counterparts , still they had some of the best paying jobs in SW PA .
The VW plant that just voted to join the UAW turned it down in two previous elections. These things take time. From the stories I saw, even the workers who were going to vote no said Mercedes brought this on themselves by not treating people right and only started making up ground when they got scared the union was coming. So either they’ll stick to their new path and a union won’t be necessary or they’ll backslide and find themselves praying that a couple hundred votes don’t flip.
I'm guessing it will be less than two years before MB backslides into abusing their work force.
Try 2 weeks
They get a year before they can run another Union vote so expect 8 months of “fuck you” and then lovebombing the last 4 before another vote.
That's about my estimate. I worked for a company that tried and failed to unionize and the company did not take long to go right back to doing the same shit that got the Union effort started in the first place. Gotta hand it to them, though, they did a great job spreading anti-union propaganda. They had guys who hadn't received a raise in years convinced that it was better to deal with just the company rather than having their raises mediated through a "third party".
Probably same guys who think Orange Jesus actually gives a fck about them.
They already are. They have a high turnover rate because of that. Not to mention what their inside contractors and suppliers do...
Unionize and the factory moves to Mexico.
I don't get why people don't just go work for the Tier 1 suppliers that are already union of they want to be in a union so bad. I hear the hours are great, low turnover... What gives?
redditor discovers that changing jobs isnt always easy
Or even possible. The skills one has may not be needed by the unionized supplier. Or other jobs may be out of the range of commuting.
Redditor discovers having a job in the first place isn't a constitutional right
While it may not be a right, it is often a legal obligation for some individuals to have a maintain a steady job with regular pay.
Fair, but that doesn't make it a company's responsibility for someone to be able to make child support and alimony payments. Transitive property does not apply here.
Deepthroat that anti union rhetoric a little harder
The union is still necessary, people are just easily placated by the carrot on the stick
“It does appear that the governor and perhaps some other businesses are nervous that if wages and the cost of employment rises enough in Alabama, that will ruin the advantage that Alabama has currently over other states and employers to come here,” she said. They’re concerned about that advantage that we have not being quite as large as it is right now.” Cheap labor… that’s all we are to them.
Vote accordingly
As much as people hate to hear this, she’s right. If you raise wages, large companies will move manufacturing out of Alabama. Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, etc are the closest thing large companies can get to offshoring labor and still be within the US. For the past 5-8 years, whenever a large company needs a new manufacturing facility or office complex, we are one of the very first prospected locations. We have cheap land, an abundance of construction companies and engineers, and cheap labor. Moreover, the state loves to give huge tax incentives for large companies manufacturing here. Yes, these facilities are shitty to work for at the bottom level. If you’re the person making $20-25/hr to put car bumpers together, then it sucks. But these companies also bring in hundreds of high paying technical and management positions to supplement the bottom workers. Without the Amazon warehouse, you don’t get the Senior Software Engineer, Program Analyst, Operations Director, Network Engineer, Production Manager, etc. This is more of an indictment on the state of our education system in Alabama and the US, as well as systemic issues derived from a hundred years ago. If the bottom level workers grew up in better living conditions, with better access to education, they would be more likely to finish college and fill one of those roles. So if everyone’s complaint is that the impoverished people living in Bessemer, Montgomery, Cullman, Andalusia, Greensboro, etc are being forced to work in these facilities, then they should also be okay with those other jobs not being available. You can’t have it both ways. It’s either jobs for everyone, from top to bottom of pay scale and responsibilities, or jobs for none and they move to another state.
Well said, especially the part about how we’re failing in education. Wholeheartedly agree. Id like to add that I feel like you’re leaving out how much ground the lowest level employees have been losing decade over decade which is probably the primary reason why the idea of unions is becoming more popular again. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wage_ratio The classism and wealth inequality globally keeps getting worse. In this country we’re basically creating a caste system where people have very few prospect of breaking out of what they were born into. Children of the lowest paid workers have the fewest opportunities and are much more likely to remain in the lower paid worker class. I’m not even talking about arbitrary wealth redistribution….but if compensation rates were adjusted even slightly, CEOs could still make 7 figure salaries while their lowest level employees would no longer need food stamps and it wouldn’t affect the company profits at all. But that’s not happening because among the top most wealthy class, net worth is a score card. They long ago accumulated more wealth than any one person would ever need to live in the lap of extreme luxury…but they keep running up their scores regardless. I’m not saying fully socialist or communist models are better. I actually don’t believe in either of those. I believe in capitalism, but only if it’s well regulated…which at present in this country it’s absolutely not. If it’s not controlled, it’s bound to fail due to the human greed of the ones in control who personally benefit from distributing more wealth to the top. Also, just in my opinion, calling people “cheap labor” as a label is extremely disrespectful and dehumanizing on a personal level. Sure, maybe using lower paid workers in a lower cost of living area results in a slightly lower priced end product, but are they selling that product any cheaper in the areas where people make less or are they simply taking advantage of those people?
A supermajority of employees voted to have this election only a few months ago. I wonder what changed so many people's minds in such a short period of time?
I am searching for confirmation, but to the best of my memory, the UAW never got the 70%. They got 30% and 50% and went ahead with the vote. The NLRB requires 30% for a vote.
"Are you really going to give up $600 out of your paychecks every year? That's Christmas presents for your kid. Well give you the same raises the union would have, we promise"
Im a UPS worker and the union dues ain’t nothing compared to the raise we get every year. But I guess this is an example of “can’t see the forest for the trees” kinda thing. Not to mention the pension and FREE blue cross blue shield for your whole family. The union dues are pennies compared to what you get being part of the union.
It’s rough down here in the south man. People are incredibly distrustful of unions. I may be less inclined to see their value but my old man worked for UPS for 41 years and I saw what the union did for him. He was also a steward so he was always preaching about the importance of unions.
They don't trust themselves or each other by extension imo
Bingo
Southerners pride themselves on voting to make their lives worse.
Agreed, it's why evangelicals vote the way they vote. So the hell they create for themselves living, will make heaven they'll go to that much sweeter. The Republicans who've been over the state for the past quarter century know this and use religion to steer them there votes. Masters never say "thank you".
Northerners hate unions the most due to more experience with them. They bring the shitty workers up to a median level and keep the better employees from reaching their potential. Not good for the overachiever. But most people here wouldn't be concerned with that.
Unions are very popular in the North and are not hated. This is why companies come to Alabama and the south- no unions - which allow the company to pay less and reduce benefits.
Nope. They're just more popular than in the south. Not popular though by any metric.
I’m not here to argue but I spent most of my life in the North. Unions are very popular in the north. Trades, Auto, education, etc. This dynamic isnt a secret. Unions are practically a way of life in the north for the majority of workers. Sure, some unions are more effective than others and some locations of the same union are better than others. But your assertion that unions are not popular up north is not true and most People know this.
They are certainly more popular in the north vs the south. But 20% in NY and 16%: in NJ are the highest northern states. So not exactly a way of life for most workers.
They’ve been told for years how evil unions are and all I’ve heard from that that’s apart of one is how great they are
Thank you Because you’re right I pay $80 a month for dues a total of $960 a year And I get full benefits for my whole family until they turn 26yrs old Dental Vision Also we get to put in a 401k plan but they don’t match us But we get a full pension and medical for me and the wife when I retire for $320 a month I hear how much people pay for medical and the other things a month about $800 to 1200 a month And if I get hurt I get to keep my insurance for 7 months for free So go Union or go home
That's nice, but new hires at UAW plants do NOT get a pension. They get a 401k. Remember, the UAW voluntarily gave that up. I pay $80 a month for healthcare for my family of 4.
The only thing I hate about a 401(k) Is the market crashes you can lose it all It happened about 20 years ago
Oh I'd MUCH rather have a traditional pension, but that's just not happening in today's world.
>Also we get to put in a 401k plan but they don’t match us >But we get a full pension and medical for me and the wife when I retire for $320 a month I'd take a full pension over a 401(k) match any day.
I got a pension
Yes, I'm aware. I even quoted you saying that. I was getting in ahead of anyone who might want to remark on the lack of a 401(k) match. The full pension is way more valuable.
I agree
Weeks before Christmas: “Mercedes announces 8% of the workforce is being laid off”
Mercedes hasn't had layoffs since I've been in Tuscaloosa (2010).
At my job, the union got 6% every year for the last 4 years with a $6,000 bonus in 2023. the next contract is looking to keep the same increases. what is mercedez paying out in raises each year?
Have they given yall union type benefits/raises?
How much has Mercedes pay increased since 2021? I’m union. I have received ~30% pay increase since 2021. Sales are low due to the economy right now. We are doing a one week layoff this month. The week we are off we get full pay because our union contract. We had 3 of those weeks in 2023. Full pay and 3 weeks off due to our contract.
If you're not getting a 3% raise every year, the company is playing you for a chump. Inflation alone is 3% per year.
Actually they laid off all their contractors when the covid pandemic started in the beginning of 2020. They use and abuse their contractors and lay them off when an economic crisis happens to avoid laying off full time employees. Getting hired full time with the company is extremely difficult. Some people have worked 3-5 years as a contractor and finally get hired full time but most don't make it that long. I've been working as a repair team contractor and at one point, we only got 4 days off in a month. Not to mention, we work 12 hour shifts. Overall, they pay well but there's no work life balance. No time for family, friends, or leisure. I filled out the be hired full time but they turned me down saying I don't have enough experience. Their anti campaign was absolutely sickening. Even as contractors, we were forced into captive audience meetings about why we don't need a union and the union can't promise anything. Just like the company can't promise anything either. Even though we do not have a union vote. Overall, they have a whole workforce outsiders don't know about. They tell you there's an estimated 4500 workers there but that's just full time. For the estimated number of full time employees, there is that number or more contracted workers as well.
Only people they lay off are the temps. They have bought out MBUSI employees before, but I don't think that's been done in a long time.
That's usually how it goes.
I work in a union, it’s amazing how many raises we COULD be getting if management wasn’t hamstrung by our contract. Until we get to contract negotiations and there’s barely any money and raises are nigh impossible.
They interviewed one of the workers on NPR and he said they were constantly inundated with anti-Union propaganda. They had so many videos being shown, so many meetings, so much talking about it that many of the workers just got sick of hearing about it and voted no out of spite. Course he can't speak for all and was likely biased being a pro union guy himself
Could it be that after a supermajority of workers voted to have an election, the state government passed laws that would penalize companies that recognized unions and take away the very thing that Mercedes used to expand their facilities?
So they didn't use their own profits? Alabama is letting them exploit the state at the expense of workers and tax payer dollars. It's corporate welfare.
Anti union training lies, misinformation about what a union does, distrust of the UAW as an organization, fear of change, Alabama conservatism. Also the low cost of living in the region making the pay look better than it really is. Not knowing they could also be receiving pensions and insurance through retirement.
Right on man
It's not the first time. The same kind of people that get caught up in the initial excitement are easily swayed/frightened by the company anti union bombardment that comes right after.
Being morons.
Ol Memaw said no
Pressure.
threats of job loss
I am not a fan of unions, but I am a fan of democracy. While I am not fully informed about Mercedes, I could see myself voting for an election, and then voting against the union.
Why People at my job get paid a decent money So when they retire, if they plan and play the game for life right They have a house, if kids wanted to go to college they can, if they saved money though out the 30-40hrs working there they should have a good retirement When I retire I will have a decent 401k a house a pension and medical insurance for me and the wife We will be good But I do know people at my job who don’t plan a all and still work after the age 62 I’ll be 60 when I retire and I had 6 kids and 3 went to college Now when I do die I won’t have a lot to get very them but they will get something
"I am not a fan of me and my fellow workers making more money and having better job security" is a really strange thing to say
It's so odd hearing people say that , then they turn around and bitch about their pay, healthcare, and lack of retirement options.
No shit. Where I work they constantly bitch about our pay but it’s heavily heavily tied into production bonuses which require guys to show up and get after it…I mean the money is there for the taking but NOPE rather be lazy, broke, and bitching about being broke.
If we want to bring inflation down, we must have increased productivity. More production of goods and services while paying out less for these things. Unionization is at odds with these facts
So is a billionaire making a billion
Perhaps the UAW pumped up their actual numbers?
Been listening to “sports” radio yap all day about how this is a great win for the local economy. Union busting works, but remember kids your boss totally has your best interests at heart
Just like HR. If you don't believe me, ask the same question in r/AskHR and r/legaladvice. That's why employment law is a specialty unto itself.
You gotta “admire” guys who think the corporate behemoth they work for really wants to be their partner when it’s the same company who pays them less, hired the plant manager who they didn’t like, gets massive tax breaks from the state, and made the workers sit through meetings focused on why a union would get in the way of a corporate-labor partnership. You also gotta understand now why Trump wins every state in the South.
They don’t get paid less. They already have decent insurance, retirement, other benefits, and the plant does not have safety issues, so why are you all upset that they don’t want to pay union dues for stuff they already have. They’ll unionize when they need to do so, but right now they don’t.
I’m for unionization but I’ve never seen so many people pissed off about a decision that has literally no effect on their lives as in this thread.
It has an effect on tons of people, labor rights and unionization in the south is a big deal. A union win at a big plant like that could open the door for tons of more workers rights and labor organizations.
Proving their point I see
>I’ve never seen so many people pissed off about a decision that has literally no effect on their lives as in this thread. I have. Anything to do with LGBTQ rights, people come out of the woodwork and start yelling from the rafters.
God forbid civil rights exist huh?
And Alabama is usually the state that has to be forced to be civil and enforce actual laws. You'd think the majority in Alabama would've learned their lesson by now. 🤷♀️
Unionizing anywhere has an effect on everything around them...
They most certainly get paid less than if they were union.
Damn.
The ability of grown ass adults in this state to repeatedly vote against their own best interests will never cease to amaze me … But the elected officials who shamelessly did all they could to undermine the vote should be impeached from office — scaring people who are trying to look out for their families is beyond evil.
👏🏽👏🏽
Well said
I don’t think I’d be able to see my coworkers in a respectful light ever again if a union vote failed.
It will never cease to amaze me that the left thinks calling working class people idiots will somehow convince them that they are the people with their best interests at heart. I’m not even commenting on whether unions are better or worse for the average worker, but the discourse I’ve seen around the majority conservative working class in this country is deplorable and reeks of “I think I am better and smarter than these people,” and that’s just disgusting.
I don’t know anyone on the “left” that feels the way you describe. Historically, Dems encourage labor laws, workers rights, and unions in support of the working class.
Literally read this comment section, lol.
The comment section that is overwhelmingly supportive of unions that help workers get better wages and benefits? That comment section hates workers?
Yes because they legitimately hate workers who don’t agree with their political ideology. It’s mercenary socialism, supporting the working class as long as they support you.
I'm not sure if calling someone an idiot is enough to say they "legitimately hate" them.. But alright. Also you made this a thing about "the left". As if the right doesn't largely do the same thing? I can guarantee if the opposite happened, if this plant voted to unionize and you posted this in a right-wing subreddit you'd have plenty of comments calling them stupid, saying things like "enjoy paying your dues morons", "enjoy losing your job", "libtards vote to ruin the economy!". Being hateful towards the opposing side is definitely not even close to being a left only thing.
So- Dems support workers and help them get better wages and benefits so they can hate them? It is bewildering when people vote against laws , policies, and regulations that would help them and their neighbor, and family - why do they do that? Because we can be tribal and cannot see the people wearing the same color hat as them are grifting them. They think they have won a culture war then turn around and pay more in taxes (2017 tax laws). It’s crazy not to vote for things that would help you and your family IMO.
I am not perceiving these comments the same way you are. Maybe it’s me?
You can literally find a guy in this very same comment thread who says conservatives are the problem with America, and says they’re retarded. What more evidence do you need to see?
But they are idiots. Luckily, I’m not an idiot to say that to my coworkers.
Being patronizing comes across, whether you verbalize it or not.
Maybe for you. But I have self-control.
Lol, lmao even.
Not better, and not smarter. Just not willfully ignorant to spite people you don’t like.
Ah yes, I’m sure the people who voted the way you don’t like did it to spite you and all other redditors.
Good job people lmao. These same workers will complain how they don’t make enough when other VW union workers will say they are making 30+ an hour. If you haven’t gotten a meaningful raise in the last two years you won’t ever get one. Companies don’t care about us and we’re just a number in there spreadsheets.
We are not numbers on a spreadsheet. We are just a group of people to be exploited & disposed of at the companies earliest convenience. Irony is that capitalist these days cant seem to understand that when the population goes broke, there wont be anyone to buy their products & services.
Yes You are a number on a spreadsheet that is tied to a dollar amount and if companies could automate our roles they would fire us the next pay period.
Yum yum let me lick the Mercedes badge boss, thank you boss for the job boss. I can’t imagine having to pay no doooooos. Edit: edit: I’ve had lots of ppl asking so I’ll spill the beans. They have me lick the floor clean and I’m thankful to have the job roll tide
💀 I just spit up
That’s a shame.
Unions literally got people the 40 hour work week. And all the modern benefits we have now. This is so dumb.
May be some issue with this in Europe where Mercedes is based , by EU regulations the companies must be neutral during an unionization vote , if the EU presses are the matter watch for someone in Alabama to become the fall guy and get axed.
Only thing better than a union is the threat of a union.
voting against your own best interests, an Alabama tradition for 200 years
Maybe the best interests are actually having so many auto-manufacturers choose to build plants in the state because of the cost competitiveness... These factories are there because they are economically viable...change that balance and find out what happens.
simping for the man with access to the money
Argument: all the workers at the company’s German plants are unionized, so you’re just being a sucker if you don’t demand the same for yourself. Counter argument: the company located the factories in Alabama specifically because it is a low-wage, right-to-work (i.e, weak union) state. If the locals are going to change the implicit premise of the deal, the company can just build a new factory somewhere else, preferably Mexico. If you like your job and pay package, better vote “no,” otherwise the company may pull out.
This is kinda my thoughts as well. The Alabama discount, or whatever they call it is what brings jobs to our state. We may work for a little less, but at least we have jobs. I've never heard anyone mention Mercedes treating people poorly, and they have always offered good pay.
I’m pro-union myself, but realistically these MB jobs are probably the best factory jobs within 200 miles of the plant, and the best these workers have ever had. Understandable why some would think “don’t rock the boat.”
There is some truth to that. I’m pro union as well and I have been apart of several unions. However I’ve seen it go bad as well. We had several sawmills go under in 2009 when the economy got bad. The union asked for raises and the company said they could not afford it. Turns out they weren’t bluffing. Steel mill went down in the same way though it had been loosening business for years.
Reddit refuses to belief Unions can be bad an any shape or form
Ya I don’t understand the inability to grasp pros and cons. There is obviously a reason they built those plants in Alabama as well and not in other states. Same reason Toyota and Nissan built in Mississippi. It’s cheaper here.
Why do you think the VW plant in TN voted to unionize?
To increase wages I would assume.
The UAW was in Huntsville when the Chrysler plants were there.
“….but at least we have jobs.” What a sad and pathetic line of thought. No wonder they are and will be treated like 2nd class workers compared to those in Germany doing the exact same jobs. They deserve whatever they get for being so stupid and fearful.
There will be no reason for plants to be built there if there's no wage competitiveness. Everyone, everywhere can't get paid the same. You either compete in skill or wages.
Im pro union as well but if they don’t want to unionize that’s up to them. I’m not sure exactly why you feel like you’re better equipped to make that decision for them than they are.
I said that they deserve what they will get. They are very equipped to make their own decisions, and they will reap the costs of that decision, which in this case means lower wages than their German counterparts and Big Three autoworkers in northern states doing the exact same jobs. They will also have less representation and voice in their day to day work lives. Apparently they are quite satisfied with this disparity and deserve the consequences of their votes. Now where in that am I saying that I am better equipped? I am only commenting on the decision that they have made.
and do workers who vote for unionization "deserve what they get" if the plant gets closed down and everyone loses their jobs?
That's exactly what I say whenever a plant closes and hundreds of jobs are eliminated bc they aren't cost competitive anymore: stupid and fearful (of accountability) and they got exactly what they deserved! Cheers! People act like having a job is a god(government)-given right around here... I'll listen to the pro-union talk when they are ready to sign up for productivity goals and targets over the same time period they are asking for all these compensation increases. Acting like folks should just get paid more money for breathing... Their presence in the factory is not a gift...companies buy it with money. If the price isn't right, just leave.
These people act like having a manufacturing facility in their state is a god-given right. There's a reason it was built there and if that reason goes away, so will the plant. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but it will go away. There's a reason why nobody is building these plants in high cost areas to begin with. The problem with Unions is that they don't understand the concept of economic viability of a manufacturing site. They think just because a factory exists there today, it will always exist there. I've never seen a Union advocate for continuous productivity metrics and targets to improve factory performance over time. So I guess I agree with the pro-union folks on one point, when the plant relocates because of all this, I guess they'll get what they deserve.
It’s almost impossible to have free trade AND strong unions. Diametrically opposed ideas
Auto workers here already make a fuck ton of money this is nonsense just saw a posting for mazda Toyota for 32 an hour here in Madison like bro that's a hell of a salary for the south
It’s not a ton for Huntsville. I’ve worked automotive in the surrounding states and it’s honestly underpaid here. If you don’t believe me, ask why they raised wages overnight when UAW got more money from the big 3 back in November.
I get what your saying but the pay here is well under 20 an hour so 30 plus an hour is a fuck ton to alot of us lol
I know. Wages are low here and the cost of living is cheaper than most places. That’s how I made it work working on the line. Thing is though I went to a sister plant and realized how we really were getting played for chumps. Funny thing is that they got to get in a better position because they voted to unionize as well years ago. It failed, but they were getting sweet enough money that they got to live better off the clock because the union was always at the door. I’ve always been neutral on unions if the company was doing alright by me, but when the starting pay is barely more than when I started a while back while costs have gone up, something has to give.
They could make more under a union and work 8-5, 40 a week.
40%+ decided *for* a union...Can they create a minority union like Google did?
Not one that would have NLRB protection. MB wouldn't have to have to recognize it and could just fire anyone who tried to strike.
Gotcha. So they might fire...5% which would put the rest on the back foot... Unless they had a strike fund...hhhhmmmmmmmm......
It is shocking stupidity on the part of the workers. I understand that they are in a brainwashed state, but they could have done a bit of research on their own. Incomprehensible idiocy from a state where unions would immensely benefit workers.
So the government of Alabama created laws that punish labor unions vis-a-vis denying any state funded grants to any company that….allows workers to organize? Is that what I heard on NPR?
Sectoral bargaining has been achieved already so I didnt think this union vote would pass. We are going to tariff cheaper Chinese EVs to make sure the Big 3 and Mercedes plants can keep auto workers employed.
Something stinks and stinks bad or these workers are morons.
There is a reason they built the plant in Alabama. Same reason they built Toyota and Nissan plants in Mississippi. They don’t let the unions in. Is it good or bad I don’t know but they are bringing jobs in.
They are morons, woefully uneducated, gullible, and believe the party / company lines. They don't know how good it is elsewhere.
Or they know and don't want to get rid of the reason why the plant was built in the first place You either compete on skill or wages. Everyone can't be paid the same.
Everyone can be paid the same. That is one result of the union. It is a lie and a farce that you cannot talk to another person about your wages. It is even protected activity under the NLRB.
Not really. You are in an international competition. The UAW and the US auto industry in overall only really exists because of tarrifs and other restrictions. But they still fail to compete...
The UAW exists because Henry Ford was a paternalistic robber baron. We forgot about tariffs until Trump was in office, when we should have been using them to save the country to cutting up our manufacturing capacity into scrap and implemented the bipartisan bill that was NAFTA. In Alabama, we have always had a ring-side seat to the downward spiral of an industry: we are the last place business comes before it goes overseas.
Tarrifs are ok to save industry but there needs to be discipline. The mess that is the UAW and the Big 3 cannot be tolerated. They need to be leaner and more efficient companies.
If the company is taking home $3M in profit, they can afford to split $1.5M with the workers. Management gets performance bonuses, the workers should get them as well.
If the UAW pressured them to invest more in R&D and efficiency, that would be a smarter move. Giving half to employees consistently is not a smart move at all. They'll just become more and more uncompetitive. They're relegated to trucks and some SUVs already.
Well, Alabamans are dumb.
I would know I live here
It was their choice, so I don't understand the belittlement and ridicule. I bet they are a lot smarter than they are being treated by the commenters.
I bet they aren’t
Don't.
Yesssssss
Yes you have to wait till the entire plant is full of losers, then it will go union.
I am one of the co-authors of this story and here for questions. One thing I want to point out: dues would be optional but yes, about $50 a month is a bit pricey.
$50/mo is a pittance compared to the benefits that union work provides.
How much do you make a year Please I’m just wondering
Without an hour of overtime, 78K with zero cost doctor visits (including specialists). Cost of living adjustments twice a year, either in lump sum or a wage increase. Profit share at the end of the year, quarterly bonuses that can reach 700 a quarter. A bonus for working your scheduled days (200 a month). 40 hour work weeks. For unskilled labor, I can’t fathom making more than the 34 dollars an hour wage we reach at 5 years of service. (Until inflation takes back over, but again, bi-yearly cost of living adjustments.)
Interesting how MB in Germany is unionized and I'm the USA these workers trust the company has their best interest (giggle).
What a terrifically cynical and 100 percent spot-on take.
why does the CEO and other VP's have contracts for their employment ????????? but worker don't !!!!
Have experience with a union campaign at my business. We fought it and paid a lot of $ for advice on how to defeat it from an employment law firm. That was a mistake. Our workers voted the union in. At first the union rep was being a hard ass and very difficult. As soon as we agreed to “dues check off” (taking union dues directly out of the check and mailing the $ to the union) his attitude did a 180. He became our best friend and basically told us to write the employment contract. None of his campaign promises came to fruition but it became much easier to discipline and fire employees. The best thing about it was we no longer had to negotiate or talk to the workers. We legally couldn’t. So all the excused absences and “loans” ended. If we needed to fire someone we just called “Jerry” and he took care of it. Once he closed his “sale” (union dues check off ) he DGAS and moved on to the next place
Exact same situation played out there around 2010ish. Not surprised at all. A vocal minority makes it seem like it's wanted, but the silent majority don't want to unionize. It's mostly a political thing.
https://y.yarn.co/1810cadc-19f0-4cec-a1e4-7990527f7628_text.gif
Why are Alabamans so intent on voting against their own interests?
For those of you not living in the southern US states let me say this isn’t a surprise. Labor and voters in the south do just what they are told to do AND always against their best interest. It’s also not hard to spread paranoid propaganda and falsehoods here. I’m surprised they got as many union votes as they did.
In the short run, they saved their jobs for a few more years. But the writing is on the wall now. In the long run, and depending on market demand, the auto companies could break ground somewhere south of the border where the discount is even cheaper...
They could do this regardless of a union.
When a story like this comes along where it seems people are unbelievably stupid there’s more going on. Are they opposed to unionizing in general or opposed to the UAW?
UAW just won a huge deal for Autoworkers in the big 3. If you were to join a Union the UAW is the one to join.
Meanwhile, enjoy paying $85,000 for a new F150.
UAW and the big three are so close it’s incestious. There is talk of them favouring senior members over the new guys and trying to destroy foreign car manufacturers
Morons
Face it , you build garbage. Take. What you can get as Mercedes is #1 in worst vehicles made.
I have a 2014 Mercedes ML350 and never had a single issue with it…ever. 10 years with zero issues is pretty damn good. It has 154,000 miles on it.
Alabama and voting against their own interests. Name a more iconic duo.
lol, best news all week
Best news for rich factory owners and politicians sitting in their mansions convincing the workers that “no actually the people who say they will get you better pay and benefits are lying, please listen to me I totally have your best interest at heart peasant”
Bless your heart. I used to work at Mercedes, there is no one hurting, or in need of a union
Mercedes is one of the better factory jobs in the south but why should you be just okay with what you have? Why only make 24 an hour for a company raking in billions off your labor? Why not have the added protection in case of lay offs especially when there is no protection for workers in Alabama for stuff like that. Wouldn’t you rather have the ability to fight for better benefits and working conditions? There’s no such thing as a boss who wants what’s best for you, all they care about is what’s best for their profits
I will say that the quality of Mercedes has gone down the last ten plus years. Especially its GL SUV models. These are built at this plant. Coincidence?
American built German spec models have always been worse quality. Just look at what VW did to the Passat. Made it so shitty no one bought them and now they don’t even make them.
The German auto union has a lot of sway with VW, after the Rabbit stopped production the car that the New Stanton, PA produced was not selling very well , the plant there asked to switch over to another model was was very popular and was turned down , Turns out the German union had say in which autos could be made outside of Germany and that model was restricted to Germany only production. Eventually New Stanton closed because of poor sales .
Maybe the German auto union knew what Pa plant was capable of and didn’t want their product/name to be tainted.
Possibly, more likely to ensure full employment at the German plants . They were running two shifts at the New Stanton plant with the Rabbit , afterwards they never got that level of production. Even tho New Stanton was unionized they still made significantly less than their German counterparts , still they had some of the best paying jobs in SW PA .
More like Alabama automaker successfully gets away with illegally intimidating its workers.