If you remember a few months back, we told you about the the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers' attempt to form a union at Mercedes-Benz's Vance Plant in Alabama. We then told you about a dispute that erupted when the United Auto Workers claimed that they, not the Machinists, had rights to any unions formed at the Mercedes plant due to an ongoing campaign to unionize the plant.

Now, in the latest round of union drama, Don Barker, the lead organizer for the International Association of Machinists, claims that supervisors at the Mercedes plant are harassing employees who favor organizing a union.

In charges filed with the National Labor Relations Board, Mercedes plant representatives are accused of "interfering with, restraining or coercing employees from exercising their rights" by banning them from entering the plant when reporting to work since April 3, shortly after the organizing campaign began.  The charges also accuse Mercedes company officials of "conducting a campaign of harassment against employees through singling out pro-union employees and ordering them not to speak to co-workers," while anti-union employees are permitted to do so.

According to Barker, head of the Machinists: "The company claimed they would remain neutral but has not done so.  If they were neutral, why are they allowing anti-union people to talk about it on the job but not pro-union employees?"

The investigation, which is being headed up by the NLRB's Doug Marshall, is expected to take between 6-8 weeks to complete.  Marshall stated that in cases of this nature, approximately 35%-40% of the cases have merit, and that "in cases like this with just alleged verbal threats, the only remedy if the company was found in violation would be the posting of a notice for 60 days in which they would agree not to curtail employee union activity or apply restrictions more severely on one side or the other."

As for Mercedes' position on the matter, company spokeswoman Linda Sewell declined to comment about the NLRB charge, stating only that: "Our position on this is the same it has been the past 13 years regarding unions - that type decision is up to our team members."

We'll keep you posted as Don Barker and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Worker's ranting continues; in the meantime, head over to The Birmingham News for the full article.