UAW Seeks Historic Union Vote at Alabama Mercedes Plant, Drawing Warnings from Politicians and Some Workers

The UAW union is ramping up efforts to unionize auto plants in the South, filing a petition for a union election at the Mercedes plant in Alabama.

Workers cite stagnant wages, exhausting work, and a two-tier pay system as reasons for supporting the union.

Mercedes historically paid high wages to keep unions out, but cut compensation in recent years to boost profits.

Some workers warn unionization could bring layoffs and bureaucracy that hinders operations.

Politicians frame the UAW as an outside interest group threatening Alabama's auto jobs, but the Mercedes plant is well-established.