Union boss escalates attacks on Governor Kay Ivey in tirade at North Carolina rally

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April 3, 2024

United Auto Workers (UAW) president Shawn Fain took his war of words against Alabama Governor Kay to new heights on Tuesday during a rally in North Carolina.

Fain’s heated comments directed toward the Yellowhammer State come during a time the UAW is closer than ever to unionizing Alabama’s automotive manufacturing industry via the Mercedes-Benz plant in Vance, near Tuscaloosa.

At the rally, Fain spoke to Daimler employees. Daimler Truck Holding AG’s largest individual shareholder is the Mercedes-Benz Group.

“Right now, auto workers at Mercedes’ plant in Tuscaloosa are joining together to form a union with the UAW. Of course, the company won’t take it lying down, and neither will the wealthy, so they’re pushing back. And the politicians are getting involved. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey recently dared to say that the economic model of the South is under attack,” Fain told the crowd.

“She’s damn right it is! It’s under attack because workers are fed up with getting screwed.”

“Alabama Governor Kay Ivey recently dared to say that the economic model of the South is under attack. She’s damn right it is! It's under attack because workers are fed up with getting screwed."

— UAW (@UAW) April 2, 2024

UAW announced in February that over half of the employees at the plant have signed union authorization cards. The organization wants 70% of the plant’s workers to have signed union cards before it will petition for a union election.

In late March, Fain began his initial assault on Alabama’s Mercedes-Benz leadership, Governor Kay Ivey and the Business Council of Alabama.

“The company, the Governor, and the Business Council are trying to make you afraid to stand up, because you are so close to realizing a life many thought wasn’t possible,” said Fain at the time. “Mercedes is using fear, uncertainty, and division because they are afraid.”

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.