This morning, approximately 190 members of the United Auto Workers (UAW) initiated a strike against ZF Chassis Systems, a supplier for Mercedes-Benz, in Tuscaloosa.
The UAW expressed their commitment to fighting for a strong contract and securing their future in a statement on their website, as represented by Local 2083.
ZF Chassis Systems is a tier-1 supplier for the Mercedes-Benz US International plant in Vance, specializing in drive train components. The company has been operating in Tuscaloosa for 26 years and employs over 300 people.
To demonstrate solidarity, UAW Region 8 Director Tim Smith and several Region 8 International staff members recently visited the local striking workers.
The strike comes after the local union rejected a third contract proposal. Key issues in dispute include healthcare, wages, and tier structures.
Tony Sapienza, a spokesperson for ZF North America, affirmed the company’s commitment to negotiating in good faith and expressed hope for a swift resolution. It’s important to note that the plant continues its operations during these discussions.
Mercedes-Benz chose not to comment on the situation.
In a related development, the UAW initiated a strike on Friday against Detroit’s “Big Three” automakers in what they’ve dubbed the “Stand Up Strike.
This strike involves 13,000 workers in Detroit, marking the first instance in which the union has taken on all three major automakers simultaneously.
It’s worth mentioning that Alabama’s automakers, including Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai, Honda, and Mazda-Toyota, have historically seen limited unionization efforts, similar to other car manufacturing plants in the southern United States.
