Mercedes-Benz Settles with Labor Board over Union Activity

0:00This is Cory, and here's what is making news across Birmingham right now. Mercedes-Benz has reached a settlement with the U.S. labor board over union activity at its Alabama plant. The company agreed to stop threatening workers with plane closures or moves to non-union sites like Mexico if they pick a union. This resolves claims from the United Auto Workers failed organizing drive at the Vance facility. The deal includes a post-it notice promising no such threats. The UAW accused Mercedes of interfering in the process and punishing union backers which they said broke labor rules. Officials found enough merit to push for this agreement. Two years ago, workers at the Vance plant and a nearby battery site voted down UAW representation. The count was 2045 in favor and 2642 against a gap of 597 votes. The union challenged those results. This Alabama push followed a win at Volkswagen's Chattanooga plant where employees just approved their first union deal last month.

1:03Mercedes also agreed to drop punishment for one worker involved. The UAW calls the terms two week and wanted bosses to read the notice out loud to staff. But labor board officials ruled that step was not required. Thanks to our sponsor for supporting today's coverage, your pillow just got smarter. It plays your podcast and music, S-O-L-I, solely pillow.com.