Mercedes violated labor laws by blocking UAW supporters from leafleting Alabama plant

The National Labor Relations Board has upheld a ruling that Mercedes violated federal labor laws by stopping United Auto Workers union supporters from handing out literature inside its Alabama plant.

The ruling by the three-member board panel requires ordered Mercedes to update its employee handbook to say that workers are allowed to discuss union issues during non-work times and that they can solicit their colleagues in mixed-use areas like team centers and atriums.

Mercedes must also post notices at the plant to acknowledge the violation and to reaffirm that management won't "interfere with, restrain, or coerce" workers seeking to unionize the plant.

Mercedes parent Daimler has long declared that it is neutral on union questions. The UAW and labor leaders on the Daimler board have been ramping up unionization efforts.