The United Auto Workers strike against Mercedes-Benz supplier Inteva Products has become the latest battleground in the ongoing labor battle between Detroit’s Big Three automakers and the union.
The UAW declared a strike on Monday, July 29, 2019, with workers at the Inteva facility in Troy, Alabama walking out after negotiations between the two sides stalled. The dispute was centered around working conditions and unfair labor practices.
The union accused Inteva of engaging in “harmful tactics” while bargaining, including refusing to provide workers the same wages and other benefits as the rest of its employees. The union further alleged that the company had forced workers to take on additional technologies without proper training or safety measures in place.
The strike follows a similar dispute between the UAW and General Motors that began in September 2019 and is still ongoing. The union is seeking better pay and benefits for its members, as well as increased jobs security. It is currently in the process of negotiating with Ford and Fiat-Chrysler as well.
The strike against Inteva is the first labor dispute involving a major Mercedes-Benz supplier in the United States. Inteva has remained fairly quiet throughout the negotiation process, issuing only a brief statement that confirmed the start of the strike but declined to provide any details.
If the labor dispute is not settled soon, it could harm the already-fragile relationship between the Big Three automakers and the UAW. The union is already facing accusations of corruption from federal authorities, and the prolonged negotiations with GM and Inteva could further erode trust between both sides.
The strike at Inteva could also have wider implications for the auto industry, as it could disrupt the supply chain for Mercedes-Benz vehicles both here in the United States and abroad. It remains to be seen if the UAW and Inteva can come to an agreement, or if the strike will be a lengthy and costly one.