Steel Markets

UAW Workers Strike Parts Supplier ZF's Plant in Alabama

Written by Ethan Bernard

September 20, 2023

United Auto Workers (UAW) union members have gone on strike against at a parts supplier to Mercedes-Benz in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, UAW said on Wednesday that “190 workers at ZF in Tuscaloosa are now on strike for a fair contract.”

A global auto supplier, ZF is based in Friedrichshafen, Germany. It has locations around the world, including in the US.

The UAW said workers at ZF, members of UAW Local 2083, supply front axles to a Mercedes plant located nearby. It said they “have been fighting for a fair contract that ends tiers, raises wages, and provides decent health care.”

Workers voted down a contract from ZF on Tuesday, according to a UAW statement.

ZF said the plant in Tuscaloosa would operate while talks with the union continue, according to a report at Reuters.

The strike at ZF comes as the UAW is also on strike against all of the Detroit Three automakers in actions that targets specific plants across Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis. The union said the strike could expand on Friday at noon if a new labor deal is not reached with the auto companies.

Mercedes-Benz USA did not return a request for comment by time of publication.

Ethan Bernard

Ethan Bernard is managing editor for Steel Market Update. He previously worked for American Metal Market as a copy editor in the New York office for two years, starting in 2008. Later, he copy edited AMM’s monthly magazine on a freelance basis from 2015 until 2017. With experience in financial copywriting and textbook publishing, he holds a BA in Comparative Literature from UC Berkeley, and an MFA. in Creative Writing from New York University. He can be reached at ethan@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-759-7871.

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