Mercedes-Benz violated the right of its Alabama workers to unionize

An administrative judge for the National Labor Relations Board has ruled the Mercedes-Benz has violated the right for workers to organize at the company’s factory in Vance, Alabama. The factory is responsible for building the company’s M-Class, GL-Class, and the new C-Class model of cars.

Judge Keltner Locke has upheld the charge that Mercedes-Benz told its employees at the factory that they couldn’t distribute pro-union literature in the factory’s common areas during off-work hours. The other charges, however, were dismissed because the company took “prompt remedial action”, according to Locke.

Locke also dismissed allegations that the company threatened employees with disciplinary action if they continued to talk about the union during work hours. Locke found that Mercedes-Benz did not interfere with, restrain or coerce employees as alleged in the complaint.

“We are especially pleased that the judge found no credible evidence of threats or harassment. The judge also stated that MBUSI truly sought to be neutral at all times and not to interfere with team members. There are aspects of the ruling that we don’t agree with and we are evaluating next steps. In the meantime, we will continue to focus on building world-class vehicles and growing the positive team culture that has produced over 20 years of success,” the company said in a statement.

While Mercedes-Benz will suffer no penalties as a result of the ruling, the factory must tweak its rules to allow off-duty workers to solicit other off-duty workers in certain parts of the factory, such as parking lots or break rooms. This a right that is guaranteed to workers by the National Labor Relations Act.

Read more about the story at Automotive News.