‘Let’s get a vote at Mercedes in Alabama where the company isn’t allowed to fire people, isn’t allowed to intimidate people, and isn’t allowed to break the law and their own corporate code, and let the workers decide.’
The loss slows the union’s effort to organize 150,000 workers at more than a dozen nonunion auto factories largely in the South.
Besides its victory in Chattanooga, it achieved generous new contracts last fall after striking against Detroit Big 3 automakers: General Motors, Stellantis and Ford. Workers there gained 33% pay raises in contracts that will expire in 2028.
The organizing effort comes after the UAW won big pay raises after striking Detroit’s three automakers last fall.
‘We are seeing in the fallout of the Detroit Three strike with those automakers rethinking investments and cutting jobs.’
‘When you’re still in your twenties and your body is breaking down, that’s not right. By winning our union, we’ll have the power to make the work safer and more sustainable.’
‘Our union wants every candidate to know that there are 1.3 million Teamsters nationwide whose votes will not be taken for granted. Workers’ voices must be heard.’
‘Look at his record with the labor relations board. He did nothing to support organized labor except lip service.’
Unions have run into opposition from Republican politicians when they attempt to organize at foreign automakers in the South, including in Tennessee.
