Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey today joined governors of five other Southern states in blasting the United Auto Workers for its ongoing unionization campaign in Southern auto plants.

The joint statement comes the same week as a key union vote at Volkswagen’s Chattanooga plant, and ahead of an expected vote at Mercedes-Benz’s Vance factory, which has not yet been scheduled.

The statement by the governors says they are “highly concerned about the unionization campaign driven by misinformation and scare tactics that the UAW has brought into our states.” It also warns that foreign auto plants could close if union drives are successful.

“As governors, we have a responsibility to our constituents to speak up when we see special interests looking to come into our state and threaten our jobs and the values we live by,” the statement reads.

Ivey was joined in the statement by Georgia’s Brian Kemp, Tate Reeves of Mississippi, South Carolina’s Henry McMaster, Gov. Bill Lee of Tennessee and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.

The UAW earlier this year committed $40 million over the next two years to organizing efforts in plants without unions, with a concentration in the South.

In the statement, the governors said they have “worked tirelessly” for good jobs in their states, which they say unionization will put in jeopardy.

“In America, we respect our workforce and we do not need to pay a third party to tell us who can pick up a box or flip a switch,” the statement reads.

“The experience in our states is when employees have a direct relationship with their employers, that makes for a more positive working environment. They can advocate for themselves and what is important to them without outside influence. The UAW has come in making big promises to our constituents that they can’t deliver on. And we have serious reservations that the UAW leadership can represent our values.“

The six governors, all Republicans, said the union seems “more focused on helping President Biden get reelected than on the autoworker jobs being cut at plants they already represent.”

It’s not the first time Ivey has made comments against the union. In January, she said the union push by the UAW means that Alabama’s “model for economic success is under attack.” A month later, she called the union a “looming threat” to the state’s economy.

In April, after Alabama was recognized as the leading exporting state for automobiles, Ivey said on social media platform X, “It’s no wonder the UAW wants a piece of the pie here in Alabama.”

In response to her comment earlier this month, Jeremy Kimbrell, Mercedes worker and member of the volunteer organizing committee to unionize with the UAW, said, “It’s sad that our governor thinks so little of Alabama workers, that we’re only good for cheap labor. We know better, and that’s why we’re choosing to unionize and end the Alabama discount.”

UAW President Shawn Fain this weekend predicted success for the union in the upcoming elections.