You Need To Be Paying Attention To This

5,200 Mercedes workers are on the verge of a historic victory.
If they win, they’ll become the largest new manufacturing union in the country since 1989.
And they’re just miles from Bessemer, Alabama, where Amazon workers jump-started the labor movement 3 years ago.
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[@MMuraseofSandvich]

The big lie isn't Reagan's "I'm from the government and I'm here to help." No, it's "I'm an executive at this corporation, I'm here to listen."

[@kidcoyoteanarchy]

Ceos work for the board of directors, the board represents investors who only care about stock prices on wallstreet.

[@seriouslyshortofnormal925]

They're not mutually exclusive. Most evil isn't a result of malice, but a well-intentioned attempt at "doing the right thing" gone out of control. Be careful in how you advocate the boot, because you don't always be the one wearing it.

[@francismarion6400]

There's no visible distinction between where the UN ends and where Skull and Bones begins.

[@soccerandtrack10]

​@@francismarion6400what does the video game game have to do with this?...

[@soccerandtrack10]

​@@francismarion6400oh... pirates.

[@therockbottom5256]

Unionize BANKS next !!! No employee should be taking $100,000 in transactions per day while their account is overdrawn. J.P. Morgan Tells their employees that they are “not allowed to discuss salary or hourly wages with their coworkers” ILLEGALLY

[@LilylilyLily-vf3nw]

What has happened to the US

[@leelindsay5618]

The employees need to push for their own union

[@Praisethesunson]

Class war by the rich on everyone else​@@LilylilyLily-vf3nw

[@ThePizzaGoblin]

​@@LilylilyLily-vf3nw Reagan, Nixon, Bush x2

[@therockbottom5256]

@@leelindsay5618 I no longer work there, but consider starting a solo grassroots campaign. I feel like it’d be a similar outcome to whistleblowing Bowing right now though.

[@MMuraseofSandvich]

No worker should ever face a company alone.

[@DingleberryStudios69]

not even a German? what about a Peruvian?

[@phasmagore1066]

As an employee at Dollar General, I see managers overworked, employees not afforded enough hours to feed themselves let alone their families. Meanwhile corporate shows us training videos saying that they don't need a "union to come between them and their workers". But every day I go to work I am greeted by a manager who works literally 60+ hour weeks to hold this store together and that stress and lack of care from corporate fosters the same attitude. They use fear to control us and keep us from asking for better wages and quality in our work environment. This win for union workers in the deep south is incredibly moving and inspirational for a worker like myself. So if any other dollar store retail workers out there see this, reach out to one another and rise up. This doesn't only have to exist in the realm of automotive and factory workers. WE ALL DESERVE FAIR TREATMENT AND PAY AS WORKERS, EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US

[@EdwardM919]

I hope you guys eventually unionize, I've heard that Dollar General sucks for employees and customers alike. My local dollar general doesn't have AC and it's in TX in the summer. I was surprised they weren't made to close.

[@lynnmoss2127]

Stop shopping Dollar General period

[@westvirginiaglutenfreepepp7006]

Contact the AFL-CIO and ask them what union would be a good fit for your shop

[@EdwardM919]

@lynnmoss2127 definitely, I just come in there to check on the employees and see if their quality of employment has improved.

[@stevenhenry5267]

You guys get treated like shit

[@fixedguitar47]

As a UAW member I strongly recommend voting for membership.

[@T.R.75]

every working person should have a union. its the only leverage you have over those willing to exploit for profit.

[@ngf5077]

I use the rarity of my skills as leverage. I’m not getting drug down by my peers incompetence

[@kidcoyoteanarchy]

​@@ngf5077your skills aren't as rare as you think they are.

[@suzannecooper5323]

@@ngf5077Do you think your employer respects you enough to pay you what you are worth or do you think they are trying to pay you the least possible and doesn’t care if you have enough money to support your family?

[@Praisethesunson]

​@@ngf5077Your skills rarity is nothing. you as an individual, no matter how skilled, will always be replaceable.

[@ngf5077]

@@suzannecooper5323 I could care less about how they perceive me or my family. I don’t respect them either. We engage in trade only because it benefits both parties. Sadly if unions enter my field payroll will be diluted by my low skill peers. It’s why I’ll never move to Europe. I’d end up taking a 70% pay cut just so the receptionists and janitors can get a bigger share. Unions hurt competent people

[@justgeorge3728]

If Mercedes can pay Unions everywhere but America, that means they can pay American's Union!

[@juliedahl1892]

These big companies have union employees in other countries. Why not here? Bc this is where there profits lie off of “The American Workers. That’s there game. Dam that .

[@dvdv8197]

UNION BUSTING should amount to CRIMINAL CHARGES, not a SLAP ON THE WRIST, which is often then considered to be "the cost of doing business".

[@dragon1130]

UNIONIZE EVERYTHING!!!

[@mjnyc8655]

Well, not quite everything.

[@dererik9070]

Except police

[@Novusod]

If the Union wins Mercedes will send the factory back to Germany.

[@keira_skyler]

@@Novusod Germany gets wayyyy more employee benefits than we do. They cost much more than American workers.

[@dererik9070]

@@Novusod German unions are way stronger than American ones

[@AnonymousMusing]

Without workers, these corporations would be nothing. Those workers deserve to be paid! 💪

[@keithwisdom1663]

So 200k employees should get what kind of salary to make.them happy .... like a 40k to 80k increase????? You can make a good living at warehouse job. You need stem education in computer science engineering or management career. You do accept a 20 per hr job and then say I deserve 80k a year because you are a big corporation 😊 You get an education and apply for the 200k career

[@InternetKilledTV21]

@@keithwisdom1663 The workers typical salary at this plant is $36k; they don't even make 40k right now. Absolutely no one is asking for a 2x or 3x in salary for every employee, you would have to be so far beyond stupid to believe that.

[@keithwisdom1663]

@InternetKilledTV21 I'm stupid accordingly The market dedicates Government reg and laws is the real issue So all these employees will stop having an issue at which salary.??? Labor and management is always a problem because it's a low salary position... note you don't have this problem with management and professionals. You know why because they just move to another corp that pays more Low salary workers will always have issued because salary is not required to pay for your family needs. The solution is go for the careers that pay what you want. Low wage salary workers should never go for a 2 increase or pennies... you go for benefits stock profit sharing health benefits free tuitions etc. Why because these are non taxable and worth more than 2 raise. You know why they don't do this, guess Best to go for trade like welder plumber electrician if you don't have college etc. Go for a career with a salary you like. Don't go to 36 hr job that you know will not satisfy you. Simple.... hey I understand I was raised in this situation

[@TD-fk5yo]

@@keithwisdom1663 Not many 200k STEM careers anymore, the financial people have sucked all of the blood out of them too. This is not really a blue collar/white collar issue, it's about all of the financial people and their frat boy buddies, it's a closed loop.

[@InternetKilledTV21]

@@keithwisdom1663 What the fuck are you yapping about kid. Go learn what unions are actually for.

[@barbaraeslick558]

Standing in solidarity with workers everywhere. Go get your union and get that contract!!

[@ngf5077]

Notice this is all straight white men.

[@keithwisdom1663]

Robots and ai will be next.😊 best you can do is figure out a better career or go into management or stem or tech. You go.for money careers. You don't go to warehouse and ask for 100k😊

[@aformist]

​​@@keithwisdom1663Hey Keith, go tell your grandparents they didn't deserve to afford a home on a factory job. Then go stfu.

[@Supersquishyawesomeness]

Funny thing, they already signed a contract. Every job has them.

[@Josh-99]

No workers, no company. Stand together or fall alone. Unionize!

[@keithwisdom1663]

🤖 robots can make cars. 😊

[@dancarlton7973]

No workers, no company = no jobs.

[@keithwisdom1663]

@@dancarlton7973 always workers available because the masses are basically reg folks. So there is always someone who is unemployed or looking to move from a lower wage job

[@zacquelinebaldwin2555]

@@keithwisdom1663not yet

[@zacquelinebaldwin2555]

@@keithwisdom1663that’s 20 years away by then more than half these people will be retired

[@judithmccrea2601]

I bet anti-union strategy was one reason Benz went into Alabama.

[@kidcoyoteanarchy]

Thats why companies move to right to work/fire at will states.

[@stewartjones2173]

There can be no doubt - Unity is strength!

[@CrazyEightyEights]

Unions empower workers. Workers can help manage and mitigate extreme corporate greed. We need a fairer world for the many to thrive and prosper.

[@jc5113]

As a former Amazon in Bessemer I’m standing in solidarity with the Mercedes workers ✊🏾

[@DontWorryAboutItPlease]

I'm so excited to see UAW mentioned in history books in a decade

[@oneofus6924]

every large corporation should have a workers union.

[@zacquelinebaldwin2555]

Yep, if you have over like 5,000 employees you should be law be requiring to have a union

[@winterwind321]

Unions are power. They are there to make lives better and protect people. Don't let the big companies say otherwise

[@nemo17923]

This is so encouraging. Power to the workers!

[@Vort_tm]

Loving every minute of your UAW coverage.

[@burnoutmaster494]

happy to see this new wave of unions and support their fight!

[@dvdv8197]

In solidarity with all Workers 🎉❤ Let's get that Union, Mercedes!! 🙏🙏🔥🔥

[@ThePapawhisky]

Workers Unite!!

[@blanchecuevasramos7970]

Power to the people! Unions prevail!!!💙🇺🇸💙🇺🇸💯

[@terrancekayton007]

The is legit makes me wanna Cry. People work so hard all their lives and aren’t asking for much, just fair wages to live a happy, healthy life with the ones they love. Why be so greedy and selfish, as to not let anyone else live a comfortable lifestyle, when they get home from work, at night. 🤷🏿‍♂️

[@42VS42]

So inspiring! I thought it was all over after Janus v. AFSCME. How wonderful that that people are organizing without looking back!

[@vueone27]

UNIONS = POWER TO THE PEOPLE

[@dvdv8197]

0:53 I remember that campaign, still can't believe it wasn't successful. 😢😭 Hope they'll get a redo soon!! 🙏🙏

[@dvdv8197]

I'm really glad it turned out to be a real turning point nonetheless though!! 😊😊

[@rods.3245]

That's because the manufacturers will spend whatever it takes to combat it. It's the same way at BMW. That's the whole reason the German manufacturers came to the United States. They save billions! I realize Amazon isn't a manufacturer, but it works the same way. Jeff Bezos doubled his net worth in 2020-2021.

[@piku5637]

May a cooperative and strong union movement sprout in America, and spread across the🌎and bring about peace, liberty and prosperity for all of humanity.🐦‍🔥☭🕊️🌸🏳️‍🌈Ⓐ🏳️‍⚧️

[@harmonizedigital.]

Something to be hopeful for in these hard times.

[@judithcoe7551]

God Bless the workers!

[@ritaperdue]

Power to the people! UNIONS 😍

[@eberhardkissing6893]

I hope you get help / support from the German IG Metall too! The IG Metall is representing the German Auto workers, incl. Mercedes Benz in Germany.

[@Yormsane]

International solidarity would make a huge difference, I hope this happens!

[@devinmcmanus]

Solidarity ✊

[@jonm1999]

Go get some yall!!!!!!

[@barbaramassey3787]

Bravo!

[@prasadi86]

Where do you donate? I don't see it on the UAW website.

[@Gfish17]

I look forward to hearing about Walmart. My store in Newton Iowa hasn't been making any union moves.

[@SM-or7te]

Workers...being treated like slaves . . . . tale as old as time. Union Strong!

[@muricanunclesam]

It's time for us Americans to reclaim our rebellious nature. Power to the people. Let's get this going!

[@Psydefective]

Hey man, Can you investigate Worcester MA? We're the third worst rental market in the country, the landlords are completely unaccountable, and I get met with aggressive astro-turfing from landlords when trying to organize a rent strike/tenant's union in local/online local spaces. There's also something strange going on with the colleges and medical campuses snatching up land, how we were initially kept off the national interstate system, and how when a highway was added it split the city, as well as the office of the city manager (appointed) slurped up responsibilities from the elected positions in the city.

[@FlannelHobbit]

Thank you for covering this. Y'all are doing really great journalism, and your work is so essential right now.

[@farsaijohn9544]

Workrd for pizza hut ,19 3/2 yrs had boss give rize to yes mans, do laundry , mow yard for her , not get bonus, say stealing should be legel they vote down union,I say now it a yes, 👍👍 Jf.

[@ROXAS-XIV]

Solidarity with the workers

[@caroletrapp3226]

Unions yeah

[@gilmendoza8092]

Can someone please tell me why a worker would be against unionizing? It’s a no brainer IMO

[@fmcg5364]

They lost 56% voted "NO" on union, the blame is on company threats, and it may have been threats from Mercedes, would not doubt it. But there does not look like there are many large employers in Tuscaloosa Alabama so it is very possible that people got scared of losing their jobs looks like Mercedes is the biggest employer in town. Apparently some new guy is going to come in and "change" things and maybe the company promised the employees something for not voting for the union. Whatever it was that changed these people's minds mean that they are shooting themselves in the foot. Mercedes is only here because it is OK to underpay American workers and treat them badly especially in the south. The company cares about the workers as much as they care about me. They don't even know you're alive.

[@leperpens]

Godspeed! unions were the best answer to the first Guilded Age. Why not try it again for the sequel?

[@bobm3477]

I worked at Toyota, someone was trying to sign up the CAW, they thought it was me and I was fired. The place was run like a prison camp, never looked back but that managed to scare everyone.

[@NateHatch]

Go Unions!

[@lynnmoss2127]

I don’t understand this from Mercedes. European labor unions are much stronger than is US. Let this be another bullhorn to speak that employers will push it to whatever limit they can

[@Miss.C.]

Workers Unite!

[@ComradeCatpurrnicus]

With solidarity, we have the power to overcome the exploitation and grossly disproportionate power dynamic ❤ ✊️

[@stevenelson25]

Push to organize and get wages up as much as possible when you have democrats in. Always. Other side has something to harm unions up their sleeve when they get in every time. Educational systems under change as well, need to integrate and build relationships to relative educational systems as much as possible during shift imo education and dealing with open labor market for younger ppl seems like a nightmare at times.

[@frankd.506]

One look at our pro worker NLRB chief and crew it's obvious we need to get it done now while we can.✊

[@toddburgess6792]

I b*tched and complained for the thirteen years I was paying union dues, but now am retired and awfully thankful for the pension.

[@iamthesamrus]

Power to the people!!

[@Kbarboza94]

During my training at the bank I work at, I remember reading a quote on some training document or maybe it was the district manager who said it. “As a bank employee, it is not your job to be wealthy, it is your job to help wealthy people”. Something around those lines. My branch manager has already told us that they aren’t beneficial (which I know they are), our DM has told us they don’t like unions because then upper management isn’t able to directly “talk” to their employees. The thing at banks is, policies are constantly changing so we have to be aware and knowledgeable of the changes. All changes that upper management makes, it’s enforced for us bankers to apply those changes even if we disagree with them. We have constant training sessions that we get every 1st of the month. We learn more and more every month, have more responsibility as time goes on and we don’t get additional pay for it.

[@trioptimum9027]

I love that "well management wouldn't be able to talk to workers" line. It's just such a weird lie. I've been a front-line union member for decades, and in that time I've had direct conversations with district management, VPs, and the CEO. The union didn't interfere in any way. I don't even know how they would have, unless management really means "if there's a union, upper management could still talk to you but when we tell insane lies, someone might point it out."

[@user-tv1tq4nn5e]

I wish them all luck! ❤

[@RodeoDogLover]

This is very encouraging!

[@Yourmission9]

That takes strength to do what these men and women did, respect 🫡

[@jimt2430]

Go go go 🎉

[@Craxin01]

Solidarity!

[@mattwhaley1865]

Power in many

[@KGBSpyGeorgeCostanza]

Alright but my ADHD is unforgivable and forgettable

[@SweetsandCakeos]

#Powertothepeople

[@chrismayberry8798]

Don’t buy Employer speak… if you translate it… “I want you to be powerless and on your own so I can do whatever I want to you”

[@ninjapanda295]

god i love this channel thanks as always for keeping us informed and hopeful for the future

[@raincatchfire]

Lets go!

[@dallasgraf6442]

Hope you succeed and as a UAW member in good standing I welcome you

[@christophercomtois7175]

Can’t wait to here the stories

[@TheNanoo8288]

I work for Mercedes and believe me their doing everything they can to persuade a no vote. Last week they brought a pastor into the factory going from 1 production line to the next telling workers to give the new ceo a chance and vote no. We're standing strong and fighting to unionize.

[@kanders7391]

Amazon makes sure they have a high turnover rate so its hard for them to organize.

[@wiscounter]

It’s funny how many employers think Human Resourced is there to help the employees. Not at all…They exist to protect the corporate profits FROM the employees. If it’s frivolous lawsuits, then they serve a good purpose, but if they prevent employers from receiving fair compensation then that bad. The latter is usually the case.

[@grampydeathblade2217]

Years ago I supported unions, then for decades I have watched the union bosses ignore the workers time and again. Recently I watched a man from the Keystone pipeline state on a Friday he was guaranteed by the union bosses their jobs were secure, that Monday he was laid off (yes 2 days later). The bosses still collected their paychecks while the workers didn't. The workers work for America while the union bosses work for the Progressives/Liberals/Democrates.

[@williamsobat8339]

Go UAW. Go labor!

[@veronicadoggone5660]

It's time. Unions are the collective power of the workers. Rather than pay a fair LIVING wage to workers, companies & corporations bankroll lobbiest to fund politicians so laws & policies benifit the company/corporate profit making system.

[@nonesuchone]

🙏🙏🙏

[@wegder]

I live in a right to work State, you can be fired for any reason or no reason at all,, it is very effective at keeping wages down and people in my State love low wages.

[@RomanianStrongMan]

Epic!! 🎉

[@DingleberryStudios69]

oooh! I know! Wages for employees go up = cost of car go up!

[@GrayNotGrey_]

I'm apart of a food workers union and we get paid 7 dollars more per hour than we're ordinarily supposed to (With regular bonuses and raises). If i wasn't they would be paying probably about 9 or 10 dollars per hour which is just about 3 dollars more than the federal minimum wage. The union provides job security, offers to speak on your behalf should you run into problems at the workplace bosses refuse to address, and most importantly, ensure worker's wage mirrors the work they put in. Know how much I have to pay to the union per paycheck? 10 dollars, which is virtually eliminated many times over by the increase they fought for. I'd trust a union made by workers for workers over a faceless corporation or a lobbied politician any day of the week. Anyone saying otherwise is either fearmongering and trying to muddy the waters or doesn't understand how unions work.

[@stevebeschakis9775]

What makes you think that union leadership is any less corrupt than corporate leadership?

[@MRNICK68]

Unfortunately l expected the STATE that is almost LAST in every educational categories of its residents from pre-k to 12th grade TO VOTE NO. Uneducated seems to allow outside influences to control their thought process.

[@i_i8924]

Lets go! 👷‍♂

[@andyjones7514]

Is this the one in Alabama? Also does this eliminate open shops?

[@Warchild0311]

💙

[@DannyDeee]

Union busting are for suckers! Unionize and never stop fighting.

[@iketheranter9126]

BEA Utiful!!! Get Some, People. Kik dat azz!!!

[@itowmyhome797]

5200 workers this year 4700 workers next year 👍🏻

[@jimsummers487]

Mercedes has a union workforce everywhere in the world but Merica

[@shadowstormtrooper293]

I wonder if there will be another walk out on prime day

[@willgriff]

Pls pls. Dont stop

[@jerryfritz374]

IF the corporations Don't listen to employees WHY should Anyone listen to corpRape advertising??? Think sbout it. There are STILL More people in the United States who are lower middle class than there are millionaires & billionaires the Law of Large Numbers IF the UNIONS Stick TOGETHER

[@anthonybarnes]

✊️

[@jenn976]

It’s so simple - in Germany, workers at Mercedes are unionized so yes, workers at the US Mercedes should be unionized too.

[@hughjaass3787]

I hope they unionize, but it is the state of Alabama, & they ain't voted yet

[@kevinmorris5059]

UNION STRONG!!

[@Mike-kb2df]

After learning of how bad conditions for Amazon drivers and warehouse workers are I agree they deserve a union. But the auto industry, really? Pardon my ignorance, but I do not live in US, so I'm not up to date on the issue. Based on a few searches it seems the average salaries in the industry are between 70k and 100k. Feels like a reasonable figure. As someone who never worked in an industry with any sort of unions involved, I can only remember the detrimental effects they have on society as a whole (aside from Amazon, that's fair). For example: doctors in UK have been striking and caused hundreds if not thousands of deaths because being in the top 5-10% of the population in terms of earnings (they easily make twice the national average) was not enough. They also wanted an almost 10% pay rise. Or the rail workers. Not as rich but still earning above the national average for a rather safe and simple job. Police officers make far less and have a far more stressful job. Less impactful than doctors striking, but somehow more annoying as they are led by a guy on over £100k a year that lives in a practically-free flat provided by the local authorities.

[@TomisaLami]

LETS GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO