Union drive targets 220 Huntsville workers as part of national push to organize 40,000 Southern autoworkers by 2026.
By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The United Auto Workers (UAW) has filed a formal petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to represent 220 full-time and part-time manufacturing employees at the International Motors’ Huntsville Powertrain Plant, setting up what could be the next major showdown between labor and industry in Alabama.
The effort is part of a sweeping $40 million campaign by UAW leadership to unionize 40,000 autoworkers across the South by the end of 2026. The group behind the petition, “HPP Workers United for Change,” previously sought to initiate a union through a card-check process, where a majority of workers sign union authorization cards. However, the company opted for a secret ballot election instead.
If the NLRB approves the petition, an election could take place within three months, a timeline that would echo the failed UAW attempt last year at Mercedes-Benz’s Vance plant, where the union was defeated by a margin of more than 500 votes.
Company leadership responded quickly and decisively. In a letter sent to employees over the weekend, Brandon Tucker, Plant Manager at the Huntsville facility, emphasized the company’s history and investment in the local workforce.
“Our plant and company have worked tirelessly to address issues that come with rapid growth and changes in the industry and economic environment,” Tucker wrote. “We are committed to continuous improvement and maintaining Huntsville as a great place to work.”
He highlighted the plant’s 25-year legacy in Huntsville, a $200 million investment to increase capacity, and the near doubling of full-time positions in the last five years.
“We have a great team here in Huntsville, and we respect the rights, opinions, and input of all our team members and welcome their feedback,” Tucker continued. “With transparency and facts, we will work to inform them why we believe joining the UAW union is not in the best interest of our team culture, the Huntsville plant, or the community’s future.”
“The city of Huntsville is thriving,” he added, “and we want to continue to be a strong part of that. We believe prioritizing flexibility, innovation, and direct communication to overcome challenges provides the brightest future for all.”
The outcome of this petition could become a bellwether for future UAW efforts in Alabama and across the South, especially in light of coordinated opposition from political leaders. Last year, Governor Kay Ivey joined four other Southern governors in a joint statement opposing UAW expansion.