THE US government has met with its German counterparts to raise concerns about union-busting at the Mercedes Benz plant in Vance, Alabama, where 6,000 workers will be balloting on union representation by the United Auto Workers (UAW) next week.

The US says that Mercedes is running a widespread anti-union campaign, trying to persuade workers to vote against union representation.

At the meeting, the US representatives reminded their German counterparts of their respective governments’ commitments to work together to promote trade unions and workers’ rights.

Mercedes has denied any wrongdoing, claiming that it believed the UAW allegations have no merit, and that there had been no interference or retaliation against workers campaigning for union representation.

The European Commission has also urged Mercedes to respect local laws and European values.
 
The vote due to take place between May 13-17 was ordered by the US National Labour Relations Board after it ruled that enough of the company’s 6,000 workers had signed union cards supporting representation.

US government officials raised concerns that the company had fired union activists, retaliated against union activists and are holding mandatory meetings where Mercedes executives are discouraging workers from unionising.

The Morning Star has seen company documents which set out details of times and locations of 15 “captive audience” meetings this week across the company, which employees are required to attend and to listen to executives explain why workers should vote against UAW representation.

The company recently sacked the CEO of the plant — bringing in new management in an effort to persuade workers that management were listening to workers concerns and grievances.