Mercedes Desperation
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As the UAW gears up to have the election at the Mercedes-Benz to unionize the plant, Mercedes has been reeling and struggling to respond. Despite the anger it has caused back home in Germany, the company is going for an all-out union drive. Now, it has simply replaced its CEO in Alabama to bring someone in the company hopes will be more effective in unionbusting.
Federico Kochlowski, the Vance plant’s current vice president of operations, has been named president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz U.S. International (MBUSI), effective Wednesday.
Kochlowski will replace Michael Göbel, who has served in the role since 2019. Göbel will “transition to a new strategic role for Mercedes-Benz production in North America,” the company said in an announcement.
During his time, Göbel saw the plant through the COVID-19 pandemic and a $1 billion transition to electric vehicles. Since late last year, the United Auto Workers were also able to sign up approximately 70% of the plant’s workforce and petition for a union election.
The National Labor Relations Board has announced voting will take place May 13 and 17 on whether workers at MBUSI will join the UAW union. Vote totals are expected May 17.
Don’t pay attention to the corporate speak about the old CEO doing such a great job. This is very much about unionbusting and it is very unlikely to work. I am cautiously optimistic about the election, largely because I can’t be more than cautiously optimistic when it comes to anything in Alabama, but every sign suggests a big victory, including this CEO replacement.